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General Information, Hemostasis/Coagulation

Test Update: D-Dimer

Effective April 30, 2020, Spectrum Health Laboratories will no longer be performing the D-Dimer Semi-Quantitative assay. D-Dimer (quantitative) will be the only orderable for the D-Dimer assay. This D-Dimer will be reportable up to 35,000 ng/mL FEU. The cut-off value used in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE) remains at 500 ng/mL FEU. It is important to note inpatients can be (falsely) elevated in many underlying non-thrombotic conditions common in hospitalized patients.

Questions and inquiries regarding this change may be sent to the Coagulation Department using the “Contact Us” link above.

 

TEST INFORMATION

D-Dimer – [Epic Code: LAB313, Interface Code: 10123, CPT 85379]

Discontinued: D-Dimer Semiquantitative for DIC [Epic Code: LAB760, Interface Code: 10122, CPT: 85378]

May 1, 2020 by
General Information, Immunochemistry

Immunochemistry ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) Testing Name Update

Effective April 22nd, 2020, the following ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) Tests’ name will be updated.  The change in naming convention comes in hopes of enhancing proper test utilization.  This update includes only the name change with no changes in laboratory testing workflow.

Old Test Name New Test Name Test Code Clinical Utility
ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) Screen, Double Reflex to ANA IFA Hep2 Titer and Pattern, and if positive to ANA antibodies ANA screen LAB1230491 Preferred initial ANA screen for autoimmune connective tissue diseases.
ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies), Hep2 Substrate IFA with reflex to Titer and Pattern if positive IFA ANA (Rheumatology)

 

 LAB3540 Preferred confirmatory ANA test for autoimmune connective tissue diseases.  With ordering recommendations for rheumatology only.
April 22, 2020 by
Hemostasis/Coagulation

New Test: Thrombin Time

Effective March 4th, 2020, Thrombin Time will change from a sendout reference test performed by Mayo Clinic Laboratories to an in-house test performed by Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory. This test will be performed in the Coagulation Laboratory and will include a new reference range (please see link in Test Information below).

Thrombin Time is suitable for monitoring fibrinolysis therapy, screening for disorders of fibrin formation and in cases of suspected fibrinogen deficiency states. It is also useful for the differentiation between a heparin induced prolongation of the thrombin time and fibrin formation disorders.

For questions around this test, please contact the Coagulation Department at 616-267-2740.

TEST INFORMATION

Thrombin Time – Epic Code: #LAB11230581, Interface Code: #11230581, CPT: #85670

March 3, 2020 by
Toxicology

Updated Fecal Calprotectin Testing

As of February 12, 2020 testing for fecal calprotectin will be brought in-house.

As result Calprotectin, Feces (LAB3290) will be replaced with Calprotectin, Feces (LAB1230580).

Please note the following differences between the new and previous test in terms of specimen requirements and reference ranges.

Questions may be directed to the Toxicology Laboratory using the “Contact Us” link above.

February 11, 2020 by
General Information, Toxicology

Test Update: Cystatin C

Effective Wednesday, December 18, 2019, Cystatin C will change from a sendout reference test performed by Mayo Clinic Laboratories to an in-house test performed by Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory. This test will be performed in the Toxicology Laboratory and will include a new reference range (please see link in Test Information below).

Questions may be directed to Toxicology via the “contact us” link above.

TEST INFORMATION

Cystatin C – Epic Code #LAB3226, Interface #11631, CPT #82610

December 17, 2019 by
General Information, Immunochemistry

Immunochemistry Methodology Update

Effective December 11th, 2019, Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory’s Immunochemistry laboratory will be upgrading the following tests from the Immunoassay Vidas platform to the Multiplex flow immunoassay Bioplex 2200 platform.

Cytomegalovirus IgG Antibody

Cytomegalovirus IgM Antibody

Toxoplasma IgG Antibody

Toxoplasma IgM Antibody

Lyme Total Antibody

All tests will continue to have the same collection instructions, processing instructions, rejection criteria, specimen stability, turn-around-time, and qualitative reference ranges of negative. Continue Reading

December 2, 2019 by
General Information, Immunochemistry, Main lab, Test Utilization

Protein Electrophoresis Testing Update

In December, serum and urine protein electrophoresis testing will be simplified and standardized.  The only testing available will be:

Protein electrophoresis, serum, IFE if indicated 

Protein electrophoresis, random urine, do IFE if indicated 

Protein electrophoresis, 24 hour urine, do IFE if indicated 

In addition, on December 5, 2019, a new panel will be added which reflects expert recommendations for first line testing for monoclonal gammopathy, including plasma cell myeloma and most cases of amyloidosis, called “Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen”

Protein electrophoresis, serum, IFE if indicated 

Kappa and lambda free light chains  Continue Reading

November 22, 2019 by