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
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
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:
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:
Updated Pap and HPV Testing Algorithm
Effective March 12, 2025, Corewell Health Laboratories will update the STI testing process for patients under 14 years old. These tests will now be sent to Children’s of Wisconsin Laboratory, aligning with the current in-house testing methods for patients 14 years and older using the Alinity m multi collection tube. Previously, these tests were sent to Quest Diagnostics Laboratory using the Aptima® collection device. Please discontinue use of Aptima® collection devices on March 12, 2025.
With the August changes to STI testing Corewell Health Reference Laboratory West has seen an influx of incorrect orders. As a reminder, not all STI testing can be performed off of a Thin Prep® specimen. The STI Panel includes four different tests: Gonorrhea PCR, Chlamydia PCR, Trichomonas PCR and Mycoplasma Geniltalium PCR (Mgen). Unlike the other testing, Mgen cannot be added on to the Thin Prep® container.
If an STI Panel is ordered and the only specimen that is collected is a Thin Prep®, laboratory staff will independently cancel the STI panel and reorder the three tests that are able to be completed off of the specimen that is submitted. If an Mgen test is still needed, please submit a separate urine or swabbed collection using the Alinity -M collection kit.
Beginning August 26, 2024, Corewell Health Laboratories (West and South) will begin updating instrumentation for STI and HPV testing. Aptima collection devices will no longer be available except for pediatric patients under 14 years old.
To order the new swabs:
Please use for pediatric patients or discard any unused APTIMA kits. Please review the link below for images:
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:
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).
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.
Corewell Health Advanced Technology Laboratory is pleased to announce the addition of Trichomonas, Mycoplasma Genitalium (Mgen), and STI Panel testing on the Alinity m platform.
As of 1/5/2023, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) STI tests are available using the Alinity m collection kit and a panel which includes the above plus Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG).
All four tests may be run on one urogenital sample, saving cost and time, and reducing human error.
Effective October 31, 2022, the Advanced Technology Laboratory’s Molecular Diagnostics Department will accept oropharyngeal and rectal swab specimens as testing sources for Chlamydia and Gonococcus testing using the Alinity m multi-Collect Kit. This specimen type is FDA approved on the Alinity m platform.
NOTE: Specimens collected on patients under the age of 14 or collected for Child Protective Services, will still be sent out to a reference laboratory.
Beginning October 1, 2022, Spectrum Health Laboratory will update the current Chlamydia and Gonococcus testing using Abbott multi-Collect kit and Abbott m2000 platform to the Abbott Alinity m multi-Collect kit and Alinity m platform. This platform update will include an orderable name change and change in collection materials.