Knowledge Hub

WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE ANTIMICROBIAL SURVEILLANCE DATA FOR ORGANISMS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 01 JANUARY 2024 – 31 DECEMBER 2024

We have updated the PathCare antimicrobial susceptibility data for common community-acquired organisms isolated from patients in the Western Cape province during 2024

Respiratory Pathogen Statistics March 2025

This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during March 2025

Brucellosis in South Africa

Brucellosis, also known as undulant fever or Malta fever, is a zoonotic disease caused by the Brucella species

Respiratory Pathogen Statistics February 2025

This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during February 2025 (epidemiological weeks 6-9).

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women. It is characterised by a dysbiosis of the normal vaginal flora whereby a mixed bacterial flora including mixed anaerobes replaces the dominant lactobacilli.

Preventing invasive cryptococcal disease through active screening for cryptococcal antigenemia in people living with advanced HIV

Cryptococcal meningitis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly in resource-limited settings.

Gastrointestinal (GIT) Pathogen Statistics

In this report we present laboratory-based data for all GIT molecular panels requested for patients at PathCare laboratories for the last quarter (October to December 2024).

Update on Human Metapheumovirus (hMPV)

In the northern hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections (ARI) increase at this time of the year due to the winter season. These ARI are typically caused by seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), other common respiratory viruses including hMPV, and bacteria such as Mycoplasmoides pneumoniae (formerly Mycoplasma pneumoniae).

Diphtheria

Four laboratory-confirmed adult cases of diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, have recently been identified in the Cape Metropole district in the Western Cape.

With regard to Designated Service Provider (DSP) Contracts the following law is pertinent for service providers who are not a DSP:

  1. In terms of Section 59 (2) of the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 the medical scheme must pay valid invoices within 30 days of receipt thereof or advise both the member and service provider of reasons why the invoice is not valid and provide the opportunity to correct the invoice.
  2. Where services are in respect of medical emergencies or involuntarily obtained services for PMB conditions, the scheme has to pay for the full cost of the services provided without deduction or co-payment or limiting the tariff amount. (Regulation 8 (1) of the Medical Schemes Act no. 131 of 1998.)
  3. DOH notice 214 of 2021 requires that a scheme pays for services provided at the same rate and in terms of the same rules as they pay their DSPs in respect of services voluntarily obtained, whether they are PMBs or not.
  4. The process followed in respect of appointing a DSP is required to be fair, equitable, transparent, competitive or cost effective as required in terms of Notice 214 of the DOH.

In summary:

  1. The law protects the patient’s choice to use their laboratory of choice, even if it is not a DSP, and the scheme is still obliged to reimburse us at the scheme rate for valid claims.
  2. This is true for PMB conditions as well as non-PMB conditions.
  3. The medical scheme must pay valid invoices within 30 days or advise both the member and service provider of reasons why the invoice is not valid and provide the opportunity to correct invoice.
  4. A scheme must pay for the services provided at a tariff not less than what they would pay a DSP.
  5. Should any patient have a valid claim rejected because we are not a DSP, we can assist.

 

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women. It is characterised by a dysbiosis of the normal vaginal flora whereby a mixed bacterial flora including mixed anaerobes replaces the dominant lactobacilli.

read more

Update on Human Metapheumovirus (hMPV)

In the northern hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections (ARI) increase at this time of the year due to the winter season. These ARI are typically caused by seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), other common respiratory viruses including hMPV, and bacteria such as Mycoplasmoides pneumoniae (formerly Mycoplasma pneumoniae).

read more

Diphtheria

Four laboratory-confirmed adult cases of diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, have recently been identified in the Cape Metropole district in the Western Cape.

read more