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Referral/Sendouts

Corewell Health System, Referral/Sendouts

Collection Update: Cortisol Saliva

As part of our ongoing transition to Quest Diagnostics as our primary reference laboratory, an update has been made to the saliva collection device used for cortisol testing.

Quick Reference

Test: Cortisol, LC/MS, Saliva [Epic: LAB1232015, Interface: 1232015]
Approved Device: BLUE TOP Salivette® Cortisol Tube
Previously Accepted: White top tube
Status of White Top Tubes: No longer accepted – will be rejected
Action: Discard or return white top tubes and reorder blue top tubes via your supply form

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January 23, 2026 by
Referral/Sendouts

Send Out Referral Testing Update: Phase Two Transition to Quest Diagnostics

Go-Live Date: December 17, 2025

Following Phase One in November, where tests previously referred to ARUP and some Mayo Clinic Lab tests were transitioned to Quest Diagnostics, we are now moving into Phase Two of this important change. Corewell Health Laboratory is continuing its transition to Quest Diagnostics as our primary reference testing partner.

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December 10, 2025 by
Referral/Sendouts, Southeast Michigan

Meconium Drug Screen Testing Update

Effective December 3, 2025, meconium drug screen testing for Southeast Michigan will transition from ARUP to Corewell Health Reference Laboratory West.

This change ensures consistent, high-quality testing across all Corewell Health regions and clinically standardizes the services we provide as a system.

What’s Changing:

Southeast Michigan specimens will now be tested at Corewell Health Reference Laboratory West

Collection and transport processes remain unchanged.

Purpose of Test:

Meconium drug screen testing detects and documents fetal drug exposure during approximately the last trimester of a full-term pregnancy

For more information, please refer to the Lab Test Directory: Meconium Drug Testing LAB479

November 26, 2025 by
Referral/Sendouts, Southeast Michigan, Southwest Michigan, West Michigan

Primary Reference Lab Change to Quest Diagnostics

Effective November 19, 2025

Corewell Health Laboratory is transitioning to Quest Diagnostics as our primary reference testing laboratory. This change means that nearly all referral and send-out tests will now be performed by Quest Diagnostics. A limited number of tests will continue to be sent to other laboratories to ensure we meet the needs of our patients and clinicians.

What You Need to Know:

  • Test Crosswalks: Tests currently performed at ARUP and Mayo Clinic Labs will be matched to comparable tests at Quest Diagnostics.
  • Discontinued Tests: Tests with low utilization or those no longer deemed clinically necessary will be discontinued.
  • New LAB Numbers: All tests will receive new LAB numbers, which must be updated in your EMR compendium if interfaced.
  • Collection Devices: Some tests may require different collection devices.
  • Transition Timeline:
    • November 19, 2025: Focus on tests currently referred to ARUP.
    • December 17, 2025: Focus on tests currently referred to Mayo Clinic Labs.
  • Crosswalk Resources: Crosswalks between current and future test offerings will be provided to help you prepare.
  • Test Directory Access: Please refer to your regional Lab Test Directory for details on specific test changes. ARUP and Mayo Clinic Lab test pages will include links to the corresponding Quest Diagnostic tests.

We understand the significance of these changes and are committed to supporting your practice throughout this transition. Updates and modifications will be communicated promptly.

Contact Information:

  • Corewell Health East Sendouts: 248.551.9045
  • Corewell Health West Referrals: 616.267.2753
  • Or use the Contact Us link above.
October 27, 2025 by
General Information, Referral/Sendouts

Collection Device Update: Referral STI Testing for Pediatric Patients

Effective March 12, 2025, Corewell Health Laboratories will update the STI testing process for patients under 14 years old. These tests will now be sent to Children’s of Wisconsin Laboratory, aligning with the current in-house testing methods for patients 14 years and older using the Alinity m multi collection tube. Previously, these tests were sent to Quest Diagnostics Laboratory using the Aptima® collection device. Please discontinue use of Aptima® collection devices on March 12, 2025. Continue Reading

February 28, 2025 by
Compliance & Safety, General Information, Referral/Sendouts

Weather Impact on Send Out Testing

We want to inform you about an important update regarding T-Spot test collections and deliveries. Due to severe weather conditions expected to affect parts of the United States, we have been advised by our reference laboratory to suspend the collection and sending of this test on Monday, February 17 after 3 p.m. through Tuesday, February 18. Testing collection will begin again on Wednesday, February 19th, unless the request is extended.

This precaution is necessary to ensure the safety and integrity of the specimens, as well as to avoid any potential delays or issues that could arise from the adverse weather. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

February 17, 2025 by
Referral/Sendouts

Weather Impact on Send Out Testing

We want to inform you about an important update regarding T-Spot, ImmuKnow, and CMV T-Cell Immunity Panel, test collections and deliveries. Due to severe weather conditions expected to affect parts of the United States later this week, we have been advised by our reference laboratory to suspend the collection and sending of these three tests on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10. Testing collection will begin again on Monday, January 13th.

This precaution is necessary to ensure the safety and integrity of the specimens, as well as to avoid any potential delays or issues that could arise from the adverse weather. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.

January 7, 2025 by
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Cytology, Education & Training, Referral/Sendouts

New Test: HPV High Risk Screen with HPV Genotype Reflex

Effective August 26, 2024,  Corewell Health Laboratories West will be updating their High-Risk HPV testing.  The new assay will be performed on the Abbott Alinity m at Corewell Health Reference Laboratory West, Grand Rapids.  Testing will now automatically include HPV Genotype results whenever HPV is detected.  There will no longer be a separate charge to the patient for HPV Genotype testing.

There will also be an expanded number of High-Risk HPV Genotypes reported:

  • HPV Genotype 16
  • HPV Genotype 18
  • HPV Genotype 45
  • HPV Genotype 31/33/52/58
  • HPV Genotype 35/39/51/56/59/66/68

The new assay is FDA approved for Primary screening in addition to co-testing.

Post hysterectomy vaginal specimens will still be a send out test (LAB1230722). Continue Reading

August 13, 2024 by
Main lab, Microbiology, Referral/Sendouts

Measles Ordering and Collecting Specimens

With several suspected cases of measles within Michigan, we thought it would be an excellent time to highlight Corewell Health West’s guidance on testing suspected patients. Specimens are sent to a reference lab for testing, which must be coordinated with local public health departments. Typically an upper-respiratory swab (throat or nasopharyngeal)  is collected for PCR testing in addition to a serum for measles IgM if collection is possible.

  • Patients should not be directed to a Corewell Health Laboratory or other healthcare facility for serum collection if patient is within 4 days after the onset of rash (with onset of rash considered to be Day 0). If Day 5 of rash or later, immunocompetent patients are no longer considered contagious and may be sent to a laboratory for a serum draw.
  • Corewell Health Providers:
    • Please reach out to Corewell Health Infection Prevention (IP) via Perfect Serve to make them aware of the situation.
    • Corewell Health Infection Prevention will contact the appropriate county.
  • Non-Corewell Health Facilities:
    • The provider’s office must coordinate with the county health department that the patient lives in to obtain permission to send measles testing.
    • Visit the following link for county health department contact information: Slide 1 (michigan.gov)
      • The county will coordinate with MDHHS for testing permission.

The preferred testing specimen is a throat or nasopharyngeal swab collected in office. Corewell Health Laboratories do not collect swabs.​

For further collection and ordering instructions, please visit: Measles PCR – Laboratory Test Catalog | West

Any additional questions or concerns, please use the contact us link above or reach out to your local health department.

April 11, 2024 by
Chemistry, Referral/Sendouts

Hepatitis A IgG Antibody Discontinued

Effective Thursday, April 18, 2024, Corewell Health Laboratory will discontinue the send out test Hepatitis A IgG Antibody, Serum (Mayo Test ID: HAIGG). This test has been made obsolete by Mayo Clinic Laboratories. We recommend to our healthcare providers the following in-house testing:

1.Hepatitis A Total Antibody (LAB1230596): intended for the clinical laboratory diagnosis of acute or past hepatitis A virus infection in persons with signs or symptoms of hepatitis and in persons at increased risk for hepatitis A infection, to identify HAV susceptible individuals and to determine the presence of an antibody response to HAV in vaccine recipients.

2.Hepatitis A Antibody, IgM (LAB7980): intended for use as an aid in the laboratory diagnosis of an acute or recently acquired hepatitis A virus infection.

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April 1, 2024 by