We have recently been notified of a processing issue for some HbA1c/glycated hemoglobin tests done at Awanui Labs between 31 March-11 July which has resulted in these HbA1c results coming back inaccurately high.
Not all HbA1c tests done during this period were affected, and HbA1c tests done at Awanui Labs outside of this time period are not affected.
However, this processing issue means that some of our patients may have:
been misdiagnosed with pre-diabetes
been misdiagnosed with diabetes
had their diabetes-related medication doses adjusted unnecessarily
We are very sorry for any unnecessary stress or distress this may have caused.
Patients are of course welcome to make a formal complaint to Awanui Labs if they wish; their complaint details are listed on their website here.
Click here to read more information from Awanui Labs about the situation, including a list of FAQs.
What are Awanui Labs doing about this?
Awanui Labs are:
ordering new HbA1c tests for those affected
posting letters to those affected, inviting them to attend an Awanui collection centre again for a new HbA1c test
If you don't receive a latter from Awanui Labs or contact from us, it means you do not need to re-test.
What is The Terrace Medical Centre doing about this?
Most of our affected patients will be contacted via letter from Awanui Labs rather than by us.
However, there are some patients we are getting in touch with ourselves, depending on their result, medications they're on, etc. Essentially, if your result has been affected by this situation then you will be contacted either by Awanui Labs or by us.
Our GPs and Nurse Practitioner here will also be reviewing all new HbA1c results as they come in - see more below.
If I'm told I should do a new HbA1c test, will I be contacted about my new result?
If you have been advised to have a new HbA1c test, your result will be automatically sent to your GP or Nurse Practitioner here and they will review it.
If a follow-up appointment is recommended based on your new result...
One of our staff will contact you to let you know, and the appointment cost will be covered by Te Whatu Ora Health NZ (i.e. there won't be a cost for you).*
If a follow-up appointment is not needed based on your new result...
We may still contact you depending on whether any diagnoses had been made based on your previous result - e.g. if you were diagnosed with having pre-diabetes due to an inaccurately high HbA1c result, and your new result is back below the pre-diabetes threshold. Contact may be by phone call, text, message on Well, or comment on your test result on Well.
If your diagnosis or medication have not been affected by either your previous or your new HbA1c result then we likely will not contact you. However, if you are registered for our patient portal Well** then you will be able to view your result once your practitioner has filed it, or you are welcome to call our nurse line 2+ days after your blood test to enquire about your result.
*Follow-up appointments for HbA1c results are only funded by Te Whatu Ora if the appointment is clinically indicated.
**See our Contact Us page for info if you would like to register for Well.
