As of January 8th 2020 the peanut component rAra h 6 will be added to the following testing panels.
IgE Peanuts, Component Allergen Panel (LAB3424)
General Information, Immunochemistry
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Laboratory Services
Effective Wednesday, December 18, 2019, Cystatin C will change from a sendout reference test performed by Mayo Clinic Laboratories to an in-house test performed by Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory. This test will be performed in the Toxicology Laboratory and will include a new reference range (please see link in Test Information below).
Questions may be directed to Toxicology via the “contact us” link above.
TEST INFORMATION
Cystatin C – Epic Code #LAB3226, Interface #11631, CPT #82610
Education & Training, General Information, Test Utilization
Appropriate Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Ordering
The most conclusive evidence for using thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) is predictive in nature when evaluating possible subclinical hypothyroidism. If this test is positive, hypothyroidism occurs at a rate of 4.3% per year versus 2.6% per year when the antibody is negative. While this scenario does not cover all clinical indications for ordering TPO, there is no definitive evidence that repeat TPO testing provides additional information.1
Based on this information the ordering of TPO within Spectrum Health is being modified. If the test is ordered more than once on a patient, a screen will appear in EPIC indicating the following: “This test should typically only be resulted once per lifetime. The duplicate checking indicates that this patient has already had this testing performed. Please see chart review for results.” This is not a “hard stop” but providers will need to click “Continue” to proceed with the order.
Effective December 11th, 2019, Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory’s Immunochemistry laboratory will be upgrading the following tests from the Immunoassay Vidas platform to the Multiplex flow immunoassay Bioplex 2200 platform.
All tests will continue to have the same collection instructions, processing instructions, rejection criteria, specimen stability, turn-around-time, and qualitative reference ranges of negative.
General Information, Immunochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Referral/Sendouts
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) IgM Antibody Testing Update
As of November 25th 2019 the following tests for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) IgM antibody testing will be obsoleted.
Herpes IgM Antibody Screen – LAB3576
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Antibody Screen, IgM, by EIA, Serum – LAB3578
Herpes Simplex Panel – LAB1230539
General Information, Immunochemistry, Main lab, Test Utilization
Protein Electrophoresis Testing Update
In December, serum and urine protein electrophoresis testing will be simplified and standardized. The only testing available will be:
Protein electrophoresis, serum, IFE if indicated
Protein electrophoresis, random urine, do IFE if indicated
Protein electrophoresis, 24 hour urine, do IFE if indicated
In addition, on December 5, 2019, a new panel will be added which reflects expert recommendations for first line testing for monoclonal gammopathy, including plasma cell myeloma and most cases of amyloidosis, called “Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen”
Effective Wednesday, November 13, 2019, the new Mycoplasma genitalium (mgen) assay is now available using the Aptima target nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for the qualitative detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Mycoplasma genitalium to aid in the diagnosis of M. genitalium urogenital infections in male and female patients.
Effective November 5th, testing for Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 antibodies (IgG and IgM, serum) will change from a reference send out test to Mayo Medical Laboratories to an in-house test available at Spectrum Health Laboratories. This testing is useful for evaluation of patients of suspected antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
In addition, a new Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Panel will be added which allows for appropriate and complete testing for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. This panel includes:
Lupus Screen
Cardiolipin IgG and IgM Antibodies
Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 IgG and IgM Antibodies
To better align with our Allergy Specialists and reduce confusion and costs to patients, we have simplified and standardized our Allergy Panel offerings. These new panels will be available to order beginning Thursday, October 24, 2019. Also effective on this date, several of our old panels will be discontinued.