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/
In anticipation of “Flu season”, it is valuable to revisit available testing methods for influenza and discuss when each test should be ordered. Though generally a self-limited infection for otherwise healthy individuals, influenza can be particularly severe for high-risk populations including infants, elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised hosts. Influenza incidence is largely seasonal with the majority of cases occurring between December and April of each year.
Construction of the 35 Michigan building
35 Michigan after construction
On September 24, 2011, Spectrum Health Laboratory undertook a major change and moved the laboratory from Butterworth and Blodgett to a new space on the 6th and 7th floors of 35 Michigan.
The model changed from a two-lab system to a Core Lab at 35 Michigan (Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory) and an immediate response laboratory at Blodgett, creating what are affectionately known as SHRL and BIRL.
In addition to this major change, the lab implemented automation, increasing productivity and decreasing time to result.
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
Spectrum Health Laboratory strives to ensure that all marketing of laboratory services is honest, straightforward, fully informative and non-deceptive. The Spectrum Health’s Code of Conduct dictates that quality laboratory practices are followed and laboratory marketing activities must meet all government laws and regulations.
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/)
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Cytogenetics, Molecular Diagnostics, Test Spotlight
Lung Cancer Mutation Analysis Panel provides targeted treatments for patients
The treatment of non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma has become more successful due to targeted treatments based on the molecular profile of a patient’s particular tumor. The Lung Cancer Mutation Analysis panel is now available for clinical testing at the Spectrum Health Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL).