Effective: September 2, 2026
Key update
The Respiratory Pathogen Panel PCR (LAB3359) detects several viral and bacterial pathogens, however, is often overutilized and rarely impacts patient management. To promote evidence-based stewardship, reduce overutilization, and encourage more targeted molecular testing, effective September 2, 2026 clinicians must provide a clinical indication when ordering the Respiratory Pathogen Panel PCR in Epic.
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).
Effective Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Schistocyte Review (LAB1231565) will be available to order across all Corewell Health Laboratories Hematology Departments.
This new orderable supports alignment across Corewell Health regions by standardizing schistocyte assessment practices, ensuring high‑quality testing, and delivering a consistent patient care experience system‑wide.
Effective March 4, 2026, an Antiphospholipid Antibody Panel will be available for adult patients in the emergency, observation, and inpatient settings across the Corewell Health System.
Influenza prevalence fluctuates seasonally with the onset of “flu season” typically beginning its upswing in the month of December. It is important for providers to have an awareness of influenza prevalence (in addition to other respiratory viruses) to help guide when influenza testing should be pursued.
Effective 10/29/2025, hypercoagulation/thrombophilia test ordering will no longer be available in the adult inpatient and emergency department settings at Corewell Health West.
This change aligns the hospital system with the American Society of Hematology Choosing Wisely initiative. This will decrease unnecessary costly testing in the inpatient setting and help to prevent inappropriate diagnoses.
Effective Date: September 3, 2025
The MRSA Screen PCR [LAB1231076] detects the presence or absence of colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and may be used to guide antimicrobial prophylaxis decisions. To improve and standardize test utilization across all Corewell Health regions, the following restrictions will be added to this test order:
Studies have shown that there is minimal utility in re-testing within 2 weeks as MRSA conversion rates are low and the PCR negative predictive values remain high for at least 14 days after initial testing.
Absence of nasal colonization with MRSA cannot be used to reliably rule out MRSA infection in scenarios other than those listed above.