The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
All changes are for Corewell Health Laboratories in Southwest and West Michigan. For Laboratories in Southeast Michigan, please visit: corewellhealth.org/labcatalog
Browsing Tag
Corewell Health West
Effective April 2, 2025, the Reflex HPV algorithm will more closely align with ASCCP recommendations. HPV testing will no longer be performed for a normal Pap result in patients aged 30 years and older when a provider orders HPV Reflex.
Specimens will qualify for HPV Reflex with a cytologic diagnosis of:
- ASCUS (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance) for patients aged 21 and older.
- LSIL (Low Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion) for patients aged 25 and older.
HPV testing will continue to be performed for all Paps, regardless of results, for patients aged 30 years or older when a provider orders Co-Testing.
If a provider wishes to request HPV testing on a normal pap for patients under 30, they must either place an electronic order at the time of the initial pap order or request an add-on test for:
- HPV High Risk Screen with HPV Genotype Reflex – Cervical Source (LAB1231770)
- HPV High Risk Screen with HPV Genotype Reflex – Vaginal Source (LAB1230722)
Updated Pap and HPV Testing Algorithm
Cytogenetics, Corewell Health Advanced Technology Laboratory – Grand Rapids, is now offering in-house testing for Biliary Tract Malignancy by FISH.
Influenza prevalence fluctuates seasonally, and case numbers are currently increasing throughout West Michigan. The onset of “flu season” varies year-to-year though typically begins its upswing in the month of December. It is important for providers to have an awareness of influenza prevalence (in addition to other respiratory viruses) to help guide when influenza testing should be pursued.
The use of point of care (POC) antigen testing reduces both the cost to the patient and turn-around-time as compared to lab-based molecular methods. POC antigen tests are typically available for COVID-19, influenza A/B, and as a COVID-19/influenza A/B combination test. During warmer months when influenza prevalence is negligible yet COVID-19 may be circulating, a COVID-only antigen test may be helpful for diagnosis. As influenza increases into colder months, a COVID-19/Influenza A/B combo test would act as a screen for both viruses.
POC tests generally have high analytical specificity but lack the sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification methods (e.g. PCR). For this reason, PCR testing is still recommended for hospitalized patients and for outpatients with a negative POC result if influenza is still suspected and if the result will impact clinical decision making. Influenza PCR may be ordered as a standalone test (LAB3255) or as a part of a panel alongside COVID-19 and RSV (LAB1230746).
Test Information
- Influenza PCR Epic Code: LAB3255, Interface EMR Code: 11594, CPT Code 87502
- COVID-19, Influenza A/B, RSV PCR Epic Code: LAB1230746, Interface EMR Code: 1230746, CPT: 0241U
Contact/Resources
Local Infection Prevention Team
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Resources: https://www.michigan.gov/flu/resources
- Surveillance information: https://www.michigan.gov/flu/surveillance
General Information, Gerber Laboratory, Ludington Laboratory
Corewell Health Gerber and Ludington Outpatient Laboratory Hours of Operation Update
Effective January 1, 2025, the outpatient laboratory (“draw station”) in Gerber Hospital and in Ludington Hospital will have new hours of operation.
New Hours: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; closed Sunday and all major holidays
Corewell Health Gerber Laboratory
212 Sullivan, Fremont, MI 49412
Corewell Health Ludington Laboratory
1 Atkinson Drive, Ludington, MI 49431
Effective Wednesday, January 1, 2025, Corewell Health Ludington Laboratory will discontinue the send out test, Semen Analysis with Strict Morphology.
We recommend to our healthcare providers they send patients to a specialty clinic for fertility testing.
Post-vasectomy testing will not be affected.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please use the contact us link above.
Effective December 4, 2024, breath methane will be added to Bacterial Overgrowth, Breath Test (LAB3295) and Lactose Intolerance, Breath Test (LAB3097). As a result, the test will include both breath hydrogen and methane. Methane is being added as a small percentage of patients who have either bacterial overgrowth or lactose intolerance will not produce hydrogen when challenged during the test. These patients are considered methane-producers.
In addition, the collection time point of 150 minutes is being eliminated to align with system-wide standards.
Questions may be directed to the Immunochemistry Laboratory using the Contact Us link above.
Compliance & Safety, General Information, Test Utilization
Lipid & Vitamin D policy for Medicare patients
Traditional Medicare insured patients who have a Lipid Panel or Vitamin D 25 ordered more than once per 12 months are not covered due to medical necessity.*
If testing is indicated, you will need to provide an appropriately executed Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) for Corewell Health Southeast Laboratories and Advance Beneficiary Notice for Corewell Health Southwest and West Laboratories signed by the patient indicating they would like testing and understand they may be financially responsible for payment (ABN: Option 1). ABN must be submitted with specimen.
For testing ordered inside this frequency range without an ABN, Corewell Health will implement an automatic cancellation.
An equipment issue resulted in artificially high parathyroid hormone results for some patients from July 31- August 17, 2024. We have repeated testing on the potentially affected samples, corrections were made as necessary, and providers for the impacted patients have been notified.
Review of quality indicator data suggested that issue affecting the results began July 31. Not all patient values were affected, but those that were had artificially high values. The laboratory repeated all PTH testing from this instrument for which remaining sample was available, corrected results, and contacted providers via epic inbox message for CHW providers and other appropriate means for CHW affiliates and external providers whose lab work is performed at CHW in Grand Rapids. Providers of potentially impacted patients whose samples could not be repeated have also been notified.
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Cytology, Education & Training, Referral/Sendouts
New Test: HPV High Risk Screen with HPV Genotype Reflex
Effective August 26, 2024, Corewell Health Laboratories West will be updating their High-Risk HPV testing. The new assay will be performed on the Abbott Alinity m at Corewell Health Reference Laboratory West, Grand Rapids. Testing will now automatically include HPV Genotype results whenever HPV is detected. There will no longer be a separate charge to the patient for HPV Genotype testing.
There will also be an expanded number of High-Risk HPV Genotypes reported:
- HPV Genotype 16
- HPV Genotype 18
- HPV Genotype 45
- HPV Genotype 31/33/52/58
- HPV Genotype 35/39/51/56/59/66/68
The new assay is FDA approved for Primary screening in addition to co-testing.
Post hysterectomy vaginal specimens will still be a send out test (LAB1230722).