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Laboratory Services

General Information

Test Update: Drug Screening Updates

Effective September 3, 2025, Drug Screen with Alcohol and Drug Screen without Alcohol will be discontinued for inpatient testing. The replacement test would be Drug Screen, Immunoassay, Urine [LAB677] for ED and inpatient.
Drug Screen Toxicology, Immunoassay, Urine [LAB3227] is available for outpatient testing.
For any questions or concerns, please contact your account manager or use the contact us link above.

Test Information

Discontinued Tests:
  • Drug Screen with Alcohol, Immunoassay, Urine [LAB2111694]
  • Drug Screen without Alcohol, Immunoassay, Urine [LAB2111041]
General Information

MRSA PCR: Updated indications for ordering

Effective Date: September 3, 2025

The MRSA Screen PCR [LAB1231076] detects the presence or absence of colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and may be used to guide antimicrobial prophylaxis decisions. To improve and standardize test utilization across all Corewell Health regions, the following restrictions will be added to this test order:

  • Ordering will be restricted to one test every 7 days.
  • An indication for ordering must be provided for each order. Acceptable indications are:
    • Pneumonia
    • Skin and soft tissue (use for non-purulent infections)
    • Surgical prophylaxis

Studies have shown that there is minimal utility in re-testing within 2 weeks as MRSA conversion rates are low and the PCR negative predictive values remain high for at least 14 days after initial testing.

Absence of nasal colonization with MRSA cannot be used to reliably rule out MRSA infection in scenarios other than those listed above.

Test Information

MRSA Screen PCR [LAB1231076]

Lab Billing Brief

Antibody Testing for Syphilis

Updated 11/2025 – We’ve updated our Billing Brief on Syphilis Antibody Testing to reflect recent changes from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS).

We’re excited to introduce our Laboratory Billing Brief. This bi-monthly flyer includes updates about insurance payor nuances, diagnosis coding reminders, and other helpful tips and information regarding all things laboratory billing.

Collaborate: Lab Billing Brief: Antibody Testing for Syphilis

If you have any questions, please reach out to your laboratory account manager.

Hematology

Hematology Testing Updates (Corewell Health West Michigan)

Effective Wednesday, July 30, 2025, changes to result reporting will be implemented across all Hematology Departments at Corewell Health Laboratories. These updates will help align all regions within Corewell Health Hematology Departments to provide a high-quality and standardize patient care experience.

The following are the most impactful changes for the Corewell Health West Michigan Region: Continue Reading