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General Information, Hemostasis/Coagulation

Test Update: D-Dimer

Effective April 30, 2020, Spectrum Health Laboratories will no longer be performing the D-Dimer Semi-Quantitative assay. D-Dimer (quantitative) will be the only orderable for the D-Dimer assay. This D-Dimer will be reportable up to 35,000 ng/mL FEU. The cut-off value used in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE) remains at 500 ng/mL FEU. It is important to note inpatients can be (falsely) elevated in many underlying non-thrombotic conditions common in hospitalized patients.

Questions and inquiries regarding this change may be sent to the Coagulation Department using the “Contact Us” link above.

 

TEST INFORMATION

D-Dimer – [Epic Code: LAB313, Interface Code: 10123, CPT 85379]

Discontinued: D-Dimer Semiquantitative for DIC [Epic Code: LAB760, Interface Code: 10122, CPT: 85378]

May 1, 2020 by
General Information, Immunochemistry

Immunochemistry ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) Testing Name Update

Effective April 22nd, 2020, the following ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) Tests’ name will be updated.  The change in naming convention comes in hopes of enhancing proper test utilization.  This update includes only the name change with no changes in laboratory testing workflow.

Old Test Name New Test Name Test Code Clinical Utility
ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) Screen, Double Reflex to ANA IFA Hep2 Titer and Pattern, and if positive to ANA antibodies ANA screen LAB1230491 Preferred initial ANA screen for autoimmune connective tissue diseases.
ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies), Hep2 Substrate IFA with reflex to Titer and Pattern if positive IFA ANA (Rheumatology)

 

 LAB3540 Preferred confirmatory ANA test for autoimmune connective tissue diseases.  With ordering recommendations for rheumatology only.
April 22, 2020 by
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Cytogenetics, General Information, Referral/Sendouts

Test Update: Chromosome Analysis Breakage Study

Effective immediately, due to low test utilization and the high cost of maintaining proficiency, the Chromosome Analysis Breakage Study will no longer be offered by the Spectrum Health Cytogenetics Department.

If need arises for this test, please place an order for a Reference Miscellaneous (EPIC# LAB848) and enter “Test 140 DEB Breakage Study to Integrated Genetics” in the comments.  The testing will be sent out through Spectrum Health Referrals Department to Integrated Genetics. Continue Reading

March 19, 2020 by
General Information, Toxicology

Test Update: Cystatin C

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

December 17, 2019 by
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. Continue Reading

December 9, 2019 by
General Information, Immunochemistry

Immunochemistry Methodology Update

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.

Cytomegalovirus IgG Antibody

Cytomegalovirus IgM Antibody

Toxoplasma IgG Antibody

Toxoplasma IgM Antibody

Lyme Total Antibody

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. Continue Reading

December 2, 2019 by