Browsing Tag

June 2018

Compliance & Safety

Biotin Alert

Biotin is widely used in immunoassay type laboratory methods over a wide range of instruments at numerous clinical laboratories throughout the world (including Spectrum Health).

With the expansion of biotin – also known as vitamin B7 – supplementation and treatments (“over the counter” and prescription, respectively); an associated interference with many clinical laboratory tests has been identified, confirmed and documented. Unfortunately, magnitude and type (falsely increased/decreased) of interference varies with dose and assay; however, it has been confirmed that as dose increases so does the magnitude of the response. In late November 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a safety alert warning that biotin can interfere with certain lab tests and cause incorrect test results. Continue Reading

June 28, 2018 by
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).  Continue Reading

June 30, 2016 by
Compliance & Safety, Education & Training

Zero Tolerance Specimen Labeling

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)

 

June 1, 2016 by
Education & Training, General Information

Summer Lockbox Preparation

Follow these steps for loading your outdoor lockbox during the summer months to prevent overheating of refrigerated and ambient specimens:lockbox summer

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.

June 1, 2016 by