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Test Change Summary – September

Troponin T, Blood Level [LAB139] has been replaced with High Sensitivity Troponin T [LAB1230561]

Cardiolipin IgM Ab [LAB3651] and Cardiolipin IgG Ab [LAB3652] have been discontinued. Please order Cardiolipin IgM and IgG Abs [LAB3653]

Drug of Abuse, Pain Clinic, Urine [LAB3382] has been discontinued and replace with Urine Drug Screen with Confirmation (32 Targets) [LAB1230497] or Urine Drug Screen with Confirmation (23 Targets) [LAB1230496]

Blood Drug Screen Comprehensive PC (Pain Clinic) [LAB3574] and Urine Drug Screen Comprehensive PC (Pain Clinic) [LAB3575] have been discontinued and replaced with Drug Analysis Comprehensive, Blood [LAB349] and Drug Analysis Comprehensive, Urine [LAB500]

Kidney Stone Analysis [LAB564] has been updated and has a new order code [LAB1230545]. Note this is a send out to Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Zinc, Red Blood Cell [LAB1230059] is no longer available and does not have a replacement test.

RA Screen [LAB3324] performed at Spectrum Health Big Rapids Laboratory has been discontinued. The Rheumatoid Factor, Quantitative [LAB206] performed at Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory will be utilized moving forward.

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

General Information, Referral/Sendouts, Test Spotlight

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Testing Options

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) testing is available to be ordered individually on serum or CSF. A panel for multiple Arboviruses is also available on both serum and CSF. Both tests are sent to Mayo Clinical Laboratories.  Please order “Reference Lab Send Out for Miscellaneous Tests” for each test ordered and indicate test name in the required order field. Continue Reading

General Information, Immunochemistry

HSV Testing Update

In an effort to streamline laboratory processes and provide expedited results, the test Herpes Simplex 1 / 2 IGG IGM was replaced with Herpes Simplex Panel on July 17, 2019.  The new panel will still offer both Herpes IgM and Herpes IgG.  The conversion to this panel will allow the lab to report Herpes IgG results faster.  Continue Reading

General Information, Hematology

Cell Count Update – Specimen Rejection Criteria

The Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory Hematology Department has updated rejection criteria for the orderables, Cell Count w/ Differential, Body Fluid and Cell Count, Body Fluid.  Spectrum Health Hematology will no longer perform cell counts on specimens which are not from a sterile body cavity (e.g. wound drainage, abscess, pus, etc.).  Unacceptable specimens submitted to the Hematology Department for cell counts will not be performed and the test will be credited. Continue Reading

General Information

Laboratory Order Validity Update

Spectrum Health Laboratory has updated its policy regarding expected date. For those providers that send an expected date of draw with your electronic order to our laboratory, there was a change on April 24, 2019 for Epic Providers and there will be a change on May 13, 2019 for EMR interface offices. From these dates forward, if you send us an expected date of draw, our phlebotomists will draw up to 14 days before your expected date and anytime thereafter until the order expires.  If we do not receive an expected date of draw, we will treat the order as ready to collect from the day it arrives till one year out, when it expires.  All Laboratory orders, including standing or future orders, are valid up to 400 days unless otherwise specified. Continue Reading