After consultation with our clinical partners, Spectrum Health West Michigan Laboratory will be adjusting the pediatric reference ranges for our new ALT and AST reagents in an effort to better serve our population. Numerous academic studies were reviewed, and the values listed below were adopted on August 3, 2022:
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Test Update
Advanced Technology Laboratory, General Information, Main lab, Referral/Sendouts
Specimen Collection and Test Updates – July 2022
The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
Advanced Technology Laboratory, General Information, Main lab, Referral/Sendouts, Test Utilization
Specimen Collection and Test Updates – June 2022
The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
Compliance & Safety, Education & Training, General Information, Test Utilization
Specimen Collection and Test Updates – April 2022
The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
As of April 5th, 2022, Herpes Simplex viral PCR testing will transition from being performed in the Spectrum Health Molecular department to the Microbiology department. There are no changes to the acceptable specimen sources for this test (cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma specimens). Benefits of the new Microbiology testing method include:
• The new test method (DiaSorin Simplexa® HSV PCR) is FDA-cleared for testing spinal fluid specimens with a validated modification for testing plasma specimens. The prior method was a lab-developed test for both specimen types.
• Especially for pediatric patients, collecting sufficient specimen volumes can sometimes be challenging. The new method requires a minimum of 0.05 mL specimen per run whereas the prior method required 0.2 mL specimen.
• The frequency of testing will increase from typically one run per day to testing being performed at several times each day.
Education & Training, General Information, Test Utilization, Uncategorized
Specimen Collection and Test Updates – March 2022
The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
Education & Training, General Information, Test Utilization
Specimen Collection and Test Updates – February 2022
The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
Effective February 10, 2022, Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory will offer Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) PCR testing on swab specimens collected from cutaneous and mucocutaneous lesions (e.g. anorectal, genital, nasal, ocular, oral, skin, urethral).
PCR is the test method of choice for the diagnosis of VZV infection due to its enhanced sensitivity and speed as compared to traditional viral cultures, which should no longer be used for VZV detection.
The following information was updated in the Spectrum Health Laboratory Catalog.