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Collection Update

Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Southeast Michigan, Taylor, Trenton, Troy, Wayne

Body Fluid Culture – Specimen Collection Update

Effective June 1, 2026, Corewell Health Microbiology Laboratory in Southeast Michigan is updating specimen collection criteria for body fluid specimens. Microbiology will no longer accept red top vacutainer tubes as a collection device for body fluids (i.e. synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, etc). Collection criteria information has been updated in Corewell’s Lab Test Directory to reflect this change. Test order for body fluid cultures is LAB2111016 (aerobic culture) and commonly accompanied by LAB233 (anaerobic culture). Continue Reading

May 22, 2026 by
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
Chemistry, West Michigan

Specimen Type Change for Outpatient Chemistry Tests – Effective December 3, 2025

Updated: 11/26/2025

Effective Date: December 3, 2025

What’s Changing?

The preferred specimen type for most outpatient Chemistry tests will change from: Lithium Heparin Gel PST (mint green-top with gel) to Serum Separator SST (gold-top with gel)

Gray-top tube (Potassium Oxalate & Sodium Fluoride) will now be the preferred tube for glucose testing. Gold-top SST will remain acceptable for glucose testing and preferred for panels that contain glucose testing.

Why the Change?

SST tubes provide improved specimen quality and stability, supporting more accurate test results.

Gray-top tubes contain additives that prevent glycolysis, ensuring more accurate glucose measurements.

Key Points

Gold-top SST is now the preferred tube for outpatient Chemistry specimens.

Light green-top PST will still be accepted for the respective tests.

Gray-top is the preferred tube for glucose testing; gold-top is acceptable and should still be used for panels containing glucose.

Resources

View Complete Test List

Updated Preferred Tube Quick Guide

Lab Catalog

(Note: This change only impacts West Michigan; Southeast and Southwest Michigan sites already use gold-top SST tubes for many of these tests.)

Questions?

Use the Contact Us link above.

November 21, 2025 by
Southeast Michigan

Discontinuation of Pearl Top Tube Utilization

Updated 10/1/2025

Effective 10/1/2025, 5 mL Pearl top tubes will no longer be utilized for high sensitivity troponin testing at Corewell Health East Laboratories. In lieu of pearl top tubes, 4 mL lavender top tubes will be the preferred tube type for High sensitivity troponin testing. Should a Pearl top tube be sent for high sensitivity Troponin testing, it will still be accepted and testing performed.

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September 24, 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