The following information was updated in the Lab Catalog.
Advanced Technology Laboratory, General Information, Main lab, Referral/Sendouts, Test Utilization
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Referral/Sendouts
Blood Bank, Compliance & Safety, General Information, Hemostasis/Coagulation, Referral/Sendouts, Test Utilization
Coagulation Blue Top Tube Shortage
Update 9/1/2021:
September 1, 2021
There continues to be a global shortage of sodium citrate (“blue top”) blood collection tubes used for coagulation testing as a result of unprecedented demand, in part due to COVID-19 surges, vaccine and treatment development. This was anticipated to last through August 2021, but now, due to continued unprecedented demands, there is no end date in sight. Please take this into consideration when ordering coagulation testing (i.e. Protime, aPTT, Fibrinogen, D-dimer, Lupus Screens, Factor Assays, Mixing Studies, von Willebrand testing, etc.).
Chemistry, Compliance & Safety, General Information, Hematology, Hemostasis/Coagulation, Microbiology, Referral/Sendouts
CSF Priorities on QNS Specimens
When a Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen arrives into the laboratory and is deemed Quantity Not Sufficient (QNS) for ordered testing, the ordering provider is contacted to identify testing priorities. Occasionally, the laboratory is unable to secure these priorities.
If the lab is unable to secure priorities from the ordering provider within an hour of collection, the following will occur:
1. We will move forward with the Cell count with differential, Culture, and Protein/Glucose
2. The rest of the ordered testing will hold until we can clarify the priorities
Laboratory is partnering with Epic Beaker to discover if a prioritization of orders, upon CSF order entry, is possible.
If you have questions or concerns, please use the “Contact Us” link above.
Hemostasis/Coagulation, Referral/Sendouts
Supply Change Notification: 4.5 mL Blue Citrate Blood Tubes
Effective April 26th, 2021, Spectrum Health Laboratories will discontinue 4.5 mL blue citrate blood tubes. These are a vendor discontinued item. The replacement item will be the 2.7 mL blue citrate blood tubes.
Due to this change, there may be a difference in the number of tubes required to collect for the lab tests below. Please refer to the lab catalog for specimen collection requirements.
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.
Compliance & Safety, Education & Training, Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Referral/Sendouts, Test Utilization
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) PCR Testing Update
Click on images for printable pdf version.
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
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) testing is available to be ordered individually on serum or CSF. A panel for multiple Arboviruses is also available on both serum and CSF. Both tests are sent to Mayo Clinical Laboratories. Please order “Reference Lab Send Out for Miscellaneous Tests” for each test ordered and indicate test name in the required order field.