General Information

Reminder: Specific Tests and Their Collection Sites (Corewell Health West)

In January 2025, Corewell Health Laboratories closed Butterworth Outpatient Lab (100 Michigan St.) and opened a new draw site at 275 Michigan Street.

With this transition, there are changes to the testing services previously provided at Butterworth Outpatient Lab. The following tests cannot be collected at the outpatient draw site at 275 Michigan but can be collected at the Lab at the Outpatient Center in 35 Michigan St., regardless of the patient’s age:

  • Ammonia
  • Cryoglobulin
  • Venous Blood Gas
  • Platelet Aggregation
  • Cold Agglutinin Titer
  • Carboxyhemoglobin
  • Lactic Acid
  • Lactate/Pyruvate Ratio
  • Verify Now
  • Gene Therapy High Sensitivity Troponin I

Please note that some of these tests can be drawn at other Corewell Hospital Lab locations within the system, but not all. Check the lab catalog for specific requirements for these tests (e.g., authorization needed, by appointment only, etc.). Ensure this information is communicated to your patients for whom these tests have been ordered.

July 3, 2025 by
General Information

Test Update: Vitamin D Testing Via Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LAB1230925)

Corewell Health Laboratories has discontinued routine Vitamin D testing via Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LAB1230925). The new test for diagnosing Vitamin D insufficiency and monitoring therapy is Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy (LAB1231583), performed daily using an in-house immunoassay method.

Vitamin D screening for deficiency/insufficiency will now be conducted via immunoassay. Current requests for Vitamin D2/D3 by Mass Spectrometry will be sent out.

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Corewell Health West Laboratory.

 

TEST INFORMATION

Discontinue: LAB1230925 25-Hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3, Serum

Replacement: LAB1231583 Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy

June 27, 2025 by
Chemistry

βhCG Preliminary Results

Effective June 4, 2025, Corewell Health Laboratories will include a preliminary result of >10000 mIU/mL for Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG + β) (LAB142) specimens that require dilution. The preliminary result will provide a quick insight on the status of the βhCG quantification analysis. It is important to remember that these results are not definitive, therefore final interpretation should be made alongside the fully validated results.

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June 2, 2025 by
Compliance & Safety

Inclusion of a Third Patient Identifier on Paper-Based Orders to Increase Safety

To enhance patient safety, we are implementing a requirement for paper-based orders arriving with externally collected specimens to include a minimum of three patient identifiers.

Effective June 30, 2025, all paper-based orders (including add-on orders) must include at least three patient identifiers. Patient’s Legal Name and Date of Birth must match the ones on the specimen’s label, and the third must match the identifier in the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Any extra identifiers on the specimen label must also match the ones on the paperwork and in the EHR.

Examples of Patient Identifiers:
The following are examples (though not a comprehensive list) of patient identifiers that can be used to confirm a patient’s identity in the EHR:

  • Patient Legal Name (required)
  • Date of Birth (required)
  • Social Security Number (last four digits)
  • Phone Number
  • Address
  • Zip Code
  • Email Address
  • Photo ID

By accurately identifying and matching patient information on all documents and specimens, we reduce errors and protect patients from harm.

 

Unacceptable Orders:

In the event that we receive an unacceptable paper-based order, we will not cancel the order but will follow our downtime labeling process.

 

Please make sure everyone on your team knows about this new requirement and follows it to keep our patient safety standards high.

Thank you for your cooperation.

May 14, 2025 by
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Cytology, General Information

Reflex HPV Testing Update

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

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March 28, 2025 by