Spectrum Health Laboratory strives to ensure that all marketing of laboratory services is honest, straightforward, fully informative and non-deceptive. The Spectrum Health’s Code of Conduct dictates that quality laboratory practices are followed and laboratory marketing activities must meet all government laws and regulations.
Tests not performed by Spectrum Health Regional Laboratories (SHRL) will be sent to an appropriate reference laboratory. Mayo Medical Laboratories is our major reference lab; however, not all tests are performed at that location. Please refer to the laboratory test catalog for specific testing locations. (http://spectrumhealth.testcatalog.org/)
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Cytogenetics, Molecular Diagnostics, Test Spotlight
Lung Cancer Mutation Analysis Panel provides targeted treatments for patients
The treatment of non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma has become more successful due to targeted treatments based on the molecular profile of a patient’s particular tumor. The Lung Cancer Mutation Analysis panel is now available for clinical testing at the Spectrum Health Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL).
All specimens submitted to Spectrum Health Laboratory for testing must be appropriately labeled to assure positive identification and optimum integrity of specimens. In accordance with standards issued by The Joint Commission, at least 2 patient identifiers should be used when providing care or treatment of services (National Patient Safety Goal, NSPG.01.01.01). If 2 patient identifiers are not used on the specimen, the specimen will be rejected, the order will be cancelled and a request for recollection will be made. This includes Gyn Cytology (i.e. Pap) specimens.
What are acceptable Patient Identifiers?
- Patient Full Legal Name
- Date of Birth
- Spectrum Health Medical Record Number (MRN)
Follow these steps for loading your outdoor lockbox during the summer months to prevent overheating of refrigerated and ambient specimens:
1. Place a frozen cool pack in the bottom of the lockbox.
2. Layer 3 – 4 paper towels over the cool pack for insulation.
3. Place refrigerated temperature specimens on top of the paper towels.
4. Layer 3 – 4 paper towels over the refrigerated specimens for insulation.
5. Place ambient temperature specimens on top of the paper towels.
Frozen specimen should not be left in the lockbox for after-hours pickup. These tests may be better preserved in the office freezer until the next day’s courier pickup.
Spectrum Health Laboratory is committed to specimen integrity. The specimen transport integrity guide is available in the online test catalog. If you have further questions please contact Laboratory Services at 616.774.7721.
As of January 12, 2016, pathologist review of peripheral blood smear ordered without accompanying CBC with differential will reflex to adding on a CBC and/or differential in the laboratory. Blood specimens that do not have a slide prepared need to be less than 6 hours old for a pathologist review to be added on.
This is due to the fact that older blood does not smear well and morphology is compromised, especially red cell morphology. This allows for a complete documentation of the patient’s CBC and differential findings in the electronic medical record and standardizes our process among the regional hospitals.
Any questions concerning Peripheral Blood Smear reflexes should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Stumph, Director of Hematology.
As of March 1, 2016, Spectrum Health Laboratory, Grand Rapids, will no longer draw or send a courier for outpatient Ammonia testing (#8074). If outpatient Ammonia testing is needed, the patient must be collected at the 35 Michigan Draw Site. If outpatient Ammonia testing is needed and the patient cannot be drawn at the 35 Michigan Draw Site, approval must be obtained from Dr. David Alter or the Clinical Pathologist on-call, prior to ordering the test.
There will be no changes to inpatient collection. Note: Inpatients are patients who have been admitted to a hospital in the Medical Center (HDVCH, Butterworth, and Meijer Heart Center) or Blodgett Hospital.
Any questions concerning these changes may be directed to the Pathology Department using the Contact Us link above.
Several tests performed by Spectrum Health Laboratories and our Reference Laboratories (Mayo Clinic Lab) require and recommend fasting.
Please check the Lab Catalog prior to sending your patient to a draw site or sending a patient’s specimens to the lab. Help remind patients to arrive fasting if fasting tests are required.
Spectrum Health Laboratories recommends
No caloric or caffeine intake for 8-12 hours prior to testing. Do not eat or drink anything except normal amounts of plain water. This also includes no smoking, chewing gum, candy, cough drops, etc. Some tests also require no alcoholic beverages for 24-48 hours prior to testing.
Take normal dosages of medications, unless the provider has instructed otherwise.
Results may be inaccurate if fasting was not done prior to the test and may lead to improper diagnosis or treatment. Testing will need to be repeated if patient was not fasting properly before testing.
updated: 12/27/2021