As we enter the winter months, there are often questions about the various respiratory pathogen tests available, including a multiplex molecular panel and influenza testing.
Yearly Archives
2016
Leaky specimen containers may cause compromised test results and it is also a hazard to lab couriers and registration personnel. Please be sure to inform patients that leaky specimen containers are not acceptable and may be rejected.
In order to prevent leaky containers, please be sure to discuss the following tips:
In the College of American Pathologists publication CAP Today the question was asked, “Are there regulations guiding the practice of taking additional blood samples from a patient (in case additional testing is needed later) even though there are no orders for the blood samples?” The limited literature on this topic has shown that inpatients (in those studies) have had up to 700 mL of blood collected during hospital stays. Thus we have to step back and ask: Does that make sense?
Read the response offered by David N. Alter, MD, DABCC, Clinical/Chemical Pathologist, Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory.
http://www.captodayonline.com/qa-column-1016/
Recently, a communication from Joint Venture Hospital Laboratories (JVHL) and BCN went out regarding Spectrum Health’s affiliation with the JVHL network. It should be noted that Spectrum Health has entered into direct agreements with all of its participating health plans. As a result, there is no need to re-direct any labs, nor should there be a change in business practices within your offices or where you currently send your labs.
Questions may be directed to
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Cytogenetics, Flow Cytometry, General Information, Molecular Diagnostics
Advanced Technology Laboratory plays an important role in Oncology
Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory (SHRL) was featured on EightWest on WOOD TV8 on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. Dr. Stephanie F. Williams, Division Chief of Spectrum Health Adult Bone and Marrow Transplant, and Kim Collison, Director of Laboratory Services, talk about the importance and benefits of having SHRL’s Advanced Technology Laboratory right here in West Michigan.
The Advanced Technology Laboratory is “extremely important, particularly for patients with certain cancers…”
“It helps us to diagnose the patients faster and more accurately; to follow the progress of their disease during the treatments that we give, and even at times to guide us in what is the best treatment for a patient…”
“Within 2 hours we had the answer. We did not have to send that specimen out to another laboratory in another state.”
-Stephanie F. Williams, MD, Division Chief, Spectrum Health Adult Bone and Marrow Transplant
Tests not performed by Spectrum Health Regional Laboratories (SHRL) will be sent to an appropriate reference laboratory. Mayo Medical Laboratories is our major reference lab; however, not all tests are performed at that location. Please refer to the laboratory test catalog for specific testing locations. (http://spectrumhealth.testcatalog.org/)
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)
Follow these steps for loading your outdoor lockbox during the summer months to prevent overheating of refrigerated and ambient specimens:
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.
As of January 12, 2016, pathologist review of peripheral blood smear ordered without accompanying CBC with differential will reflex to adding on a CBC and/or differential in the laboratory. Blood specimens that do not have a slide prepared need to be less than 6 hours old for a pathologist review to be added on.
This is due to the fact that older blood does not smear well and morphology is compromised, especially red cell morphology. This allows for a complete documentation of the patient’s CBC and differential findings in the electronic medical record and standardizes our process among the regional hospitals.
Any questions concerning Peripheral Blood Smear reflexes should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Stumph, Director of Hematology.
As of March 1, 2016, Spectrum Health Laboratory, Grand Rapids, will no longer draw or send a courier for outpatient Ammonia testing (#8074). If outpatient Ammonia testing is needed, the patient must be collected at the 35 Michigan Draw Site. If outpatient Ammonia testing is needed and the patient cannot be drawn at the 35 Michigan Draw Site, approval must be obtained from Dr. David Alter or the Clinical Pathologist on-call, prior to ordering the test.
There will be no changes to inpatient collection. Note: Inpatients are patients who have been admitted to a hospital in the Medical Center (HDVCH, Butterworth, and Meijer Heart Center) or Blodgett Hospital.
Any questions concerning these changes may be directed to the Pathology Department using the Contact Us link above.