Mayo Clinic recently completed a four-year review of Myasthenia Gravis serum evaluations and will be implementing changes to our testing algorithm.
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Referral/Sendouts
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.
Chemistry, Compliance & Safety, Education & Training, General Information, Referral/Sendouts
Preservative For 24 Hour Urine Collections
In both the inpatient and outpatient settings, the laboratory has supplied 24 hour urine containers with preservative such as acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, and boric acid. Upon review of specimen stability requirements, it has been determined that a preservative is not needed prior to collection of most 24 hour urine tests as long as the 24 hour container is kept refrigerated or on ice during the collection period.
For Hemoglobin A1c testing, Mayo Clinic Laboratory has switched to an Ion-Exchange High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method (Bio-RAD D100) which is the same method of A1c testing used at Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory. They no longer offer the alternative method, boronate affinity chromatography, for A1c testing.
When A1c cannot be determined due to interferences that affect the Bio-RAD 100 method, measurement of serum fructosamine is recommended (Mayo test FRUCT).
Compliance & Safety, Education & Training, General Information, Referral/Sendouts
Chlamydia and Gonococcus Testing on Pediatric Patients
Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory is not validated to perform Chlamydia and Gonococcus testing on pediatric patients under the age of 14 years old. Testing for these patients must be sent to a reference laboratory. Please order a Reference Miscellaneous Test (#LAB848) and indicate complete test name when ordering.