Laboratory Services
As of July 19, 2022, in alignment with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the reference range for blood lead testing has been updated from 5 mcg/dL to 3.5 mcg/dL.
This applies to both: Lead, Blood Level [LAB98] and Lead Screen Filter Paper [LAB2111119].
In addition, at this time the low end of reporting for Lead Screen Filter Paper [LAB2111119] has increased from 1 mcg/dL to 2 mcg/dL.
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.
Update: Swabs for Cultures without a Source and Order
Effective May 9th, 2022, Spectrum Health Laboratory’s Microbiology Department will no longer be preemptively setting up cultures on swabs without a source and order, when received on Thursdays through Sundays and Holidays. Note: The specimen will still be held, but cultures will not be set up in anticipation of the order.
Specimen Collection and Test Updates – April 2022
The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
During the week of April 24-30, 2022, we celebrate our Laboratories! Medical Laboratory Professionals Week occurs each year in the last full week of April since 1975.
Spectrum Health Laboratories is a wonderful collection of over 1,000 employees. Our CAP accredited laboratories consist of Pathologists, PhD Clinical Advisors, Lab Scientists, Techs, and Support Teams (includes Phlebotomy, Central Processing, Assistants, Outreach, Administrative and Management).
We have 13 hospital labs supporting 16 counties in West Michigan plus Spectrum Health Reference Laboratory and Advanced Technology Laboratory.
We performed over 8.9 million tests in 2021 of which 526,000 were COVID specimens.
Discontinuation of Low-Volume and Individual Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) Probes
Effective immediately, due to low test utilization and the high cost of maintaining proficiency, the following FISH tests will no longer be offered:
• Prader-Willi/Angelman (15q11-q13) by FISH
Recommended test is Angelman/Prader-Willi mPCR
• Smith Magenis (17p11) by FISH
If need arises for this test, please place an order for a Send out Genetics Miscellaneous and enter requested test in the comments. The testing will be sent out through Spectrum Health.
Any questions about referral testing may be directed to the Referral Department. Any questions or concerns regarding these changes may be directed to Dr. Salah Ebrahim in the Cytogenetics Laboratory.