The algorithm that reflexes HPV testing off the PAP Test (LAB1230097) when the “HPV Reflex” option is selected during PAP ordering will no longer include pregnancy status as a criterion for reflexing on LSIL patients. Prior to this update, if HPV Reflex was selected, a PAP Diagnosis of LSIL on patients 25 and older would only reflex HPV testing if the patient was non-pregnant. Starting 11/6/2024, if HPV Reflex was selected, a PAP Diagnosis of LSIL on patients 25 and older will reflex HPV testing regardless of pregnancy status. This update aligns with current ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus guidelines.
Browsing Tag
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Effective Monday, September 16, 2024 all Corewell Health ambulatory offices will see an increase in Frequency Advance Beneficiary Notices (ABN) when ordering Lipids. This ensures compliance with Medicare requirements. ABNs serve as an indication to ordering physicians and APPs that the order has a stipulation for coverage and that Medicare may not reimburse for services; the patient will need to acknowledge potential financial responsibility. Having this completed ABN on file allows Corewell Health to provide and bill for services.
Specific to lipid frequency ABNs:
• Screening: Medicare covers testing once every 5 years. Per CMS, lipid testing in asymptomatic individuals is considered screening regardless of the presence of other risk factors such as family history, tobacco use, etc.
• Monitoring: Medicare covers testing once annually for monitoring the lifestyle and/or pharmaceutical treatment of lipid disorders. If more frequent testing is medically necessary after initiation of therapy, Medicare will cover up to six total cholesterol or LDL labs in the first year of therapy.
Lab will collect any ABNs needed if not collected prior to patient collection at our Patient Service Centers. If collection occurs in the office, be sure to follow the process: Ambulatory Clinical – Completing the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) from the Epic Education Team SharePoint page. Any Medicare patient specimen submitted for lipid panel testing without an ABN will NOT be tested by the laboratory.
For more information on the CMS requirements for lipid testing, please review the NCD – Lipid Testing (190.23) (cms.gov)
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).
This issue is resolved. It was identified as an issue within Corewell Health Epic Preference Lists. If you are still encountering issues, please reach out to Service Now. This post will be archived in 7 days.
Due to an error from our system changes that happened on Sunday, March 17, 2024, the HPV reflex on the Pap testing orderable is not reflexing appropriately based on ASCCP Guidelines.
The Cytology Laboratory (Corewell Health Reference Laboratory West) and our Digital Services teams are aware of the error and working on a solution to correct the missed HPVs that were processed this week. As the correction may cause a slight delay in HPV results, please hold add-on requests for HPV until Friday (3/29). If you are concerned about an HPV being missed after this date (3/29/24), please fill out an Add-On form and fax to the number on the form (Note: Pap Specimens are held for 30 days).
We apologize for any inconvenience and confusion. If you have any further questions or concerns, please use the contact us link above.
Effective Monday, October 2, 2023, the Outpatient Lab Draw Sites in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties (excluding the Zeeland Hospital and Gerber Hospital sites) will begin a new process for walk-in patients.
Registration staff will begin informing the patient of their wait times based on the scheduling template available for that site for that day. This will allow the patient to make an informed decision on whether to wait, come back at a later time, or schedule an appointment time that works best for them. Patients choosing to schedule, may schedule for any available sites, times and dates in MyChart, or they may schedule with the registrar for the next 24-48 hours. (Note: lab staff does not have the ability to schedule patients.)
Additionally, at this time, Blodgett Outpatient Lab is temporarily closed until further notice. Sites closest to Blodgett are the Integrated Care Campus at 426 Michigan St NE, 4100 Lake Drive, and Integrated Care Campus at 2750 East Beltline, or patients may visit Find a Doctor | Corewell Health to find a lab location nearest to them.
Effective September 13, 2023, Corewell Health Laboratory will discontinue the Chlamydia Culture orderable. For patients 14 years of age and older, please order Chlamydia PCR.
• This specimen can be either a swab (genital, rectal, or throat) or a urine sample.
• The collection container is the STD-Multi-Collection Kit.
• For more information please visit: Chlamydia PCR
For patients that are under 14 years of age, a “Reference Miscellaneous Test” [LAB 848], must be ordered.
• This specimen can be either a swab (genital, rectal, or throat) or a urine sample.
• The collection container is the Aptima
• For more information please visit: APTIMA Chlamydia, NAAT, ThinPrep, Swab, Urine
As a reminder, PCR testing is also preferred for gonorrhea, when the specimen types are compatible.
Chemistry, General Information, Test Spotlight
Microalbumin/Creatinine, Random Urine Result Comment Update
Effective January 4, 2023, the process for reporting the Microalbumin/Creatinine ratio was changed for situations where one of the results, microalbumin and/or creatinine, is below or above the assay’s analytical measuring range (AMR).
Corewell Health Laboratory (Grand Rapids) Coagulation laboratory is pleased to announce a change to our von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity test. The historical test von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor (LAB335) will be retired and replaced by von Willebrand factor activity (VWF activity, LAB1230904) on January 17, 2023.
Starting November 29th, 2022, Corewell Health West, Hematology Laboratories will begin reporting absolute counts for white blood cell (WBC) manual differentials, in addition to relative (percentage) counts. The WBC differential count determines the number of each type of white blood cell present in the blood. It can be expressed as a percentage or as an absolute value. Of these, the absolute value is much more important than the relative value, given that clinically relevant WBC elevations and declines are defined by their absolute numbers, not by their relative proportions, and there is potential for error if this conversion is performed outside the laboratory.
Effective November 21, 2022, the following changes will be made to Meconium Drug Testing (LAB479).
- The cutoff for positivity for the opiate drug class (codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone) will increase to 20 ng/g from 10 ng/g.
- The format of reporting will be updated to include discrete reporting fields for all tested analytes. Positive results will no longer be denoted via comments.