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Laboratory Services

Gestational Diabetes 1 Hour Screen Reference Range Update

Effective January 26, 2021, the reference range for the Gestational Diabetes 1 Hour Screen will be updated from 65-140 to 65-135. This reference range adjustment is being made to better align with the current practices of our OB/GYN providers for abnormal flagging for gestational diabetes. Continue Reading

January 22, 2021 by Laboratory Services

General Information, Immunochemistry, Referral/Sendouts

New Immunochemistry Testing

Spectrum Health Immunochemistry Laboratory is pleased to announce 5 new allergen tests and the addition of Tryptase. The following allergens are now available: Continue Reading

January 19, 2021 by Laboratory Services

General Information, Hemostasis/Coagulation

Coagulation Department Updates

The Spectrum Health Lab Coagulation Department has the following changes that will be occurring on 1/12/21 as a result of new instrumentation: Continue Reading

January 5, 2021 by Laboratory Services

Advanced Technology Laboratory, Main lab, Referral/Sendouts

Update: STD Testing Supply Shortage

There is a national shortage of testing and collection material for Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) and Gonococcal (GC) infections. Spectrum Health is currently experiencing difficulties obtaining collection kits to perform the testing for all methods.
Continue Reading

December 25, 2020 by Laboratory Services

Advanced Technology Laboratory, Flow Cytometry, General Information, Referral/Sendouts

Laboratory Winter Holiday Hours

Please read below for holiday hours for the following departments in the Laboratory:

Referrals Department (Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory, Grand Rapids)
Outpatient Draw Sites (Outpatient Phlebotomy)
Flow Cytometry Laboratory (Advanced Technology Laboratory, Grand Rapids)

December 22, 2020 by Laboratory Services

General Information, Immunochemistry, Test Spotlight

New Insect Allergen Component Testing

Effective December 9, 2020, the following insect allergen components will be available:

◊ Allergen Honey Bee Component Panel – EPIC #LAB1230747, Interface #1230747, CPT 86008

◊ Allergen Common Wasp (Yellow Jacket) Component Panel – EPIC #LAB1230752, Interface #1230752, CPT 86008

◊ Allergen Paper Wasp Component rPol d 5 – EPIC #LAB1230754, Interface #1230754, CPT 86008

◊ Cross-reactive Carbohydrate Determinant (CCD) – EPIC #LAB1230755, Interface #1230755, CPT 86008 Continue Reading

December 11, 2020 by Laboratory Services

Compliance & Safety, General Information

Reminder: Winter Lock Box

march-winter-lockbox To maintain optimal specimen integrity, Spectrum Health Laboratory requests that you load your outdoor lock box properly for winter weather temperatures. Please follow the diagram on the right to prevent freezing of specimens.

Frozen specimen should never be left in the lock box for after-hours pickup. These tests may be better preserved in the office freezer until the next day’s courier pickup.

Request for specimen pickup should be made to the Laboratory Call Center at 616.774.7721.

December 2, 2020 by Laboratory Services

Education & Training

Webinar: ACOG & ISPD Recommendations on NIPT for Twins

On Wednesday, December 9th, Natera is offering a webinar on the advantages of SNP-based method in prenatal screening for twins.

Join the 25 minute webinar to learn:

What do the ACOG and ISPD recommendations say about using NIPT for twins?
What unique capabilities of Panorama in twin pregnancies are highlighted in these recommendations?
How can Panorama’s capabilities help you better manage twin pregnancies?
How accurate is Panorama in detecting aneuploidy and other features important to twins?

For more information: Webinar Details and Registration

November 24, 2020 by Laboratory Services

Education & Training, General Information, Immunochemistry

Update: Breath Test Scheduling

Effective immediately there has been an update to scheduling breath testing. Both the Bacterial Overgrowth and Lactose Intolerance breath tests must be scheduled through Epic or via Spectrum Health MyChart app. Continue Reading

November 12, 2020 by Laboratory Services

General Information, Immunochemistry, Main lab, Referral/Sendouts

Change in testing for Lyme Total Antibody

Starting November 1, 2020, the Lyme Total Antibody test will temporarily not be performed in-house and will be sent out to the Mayo Clinic Laboratories using the Lyme Disease Serology, Serum. This is due to the backorder of reagents from the vendor until approximately January 2021.

Lyme Disease Serology, Serum is available to order in Epic. Lyme Total Antibody will still be available to order, however, when the specimen arrives to the laboratory the order will be switched to the Lyme Disease Serology, Serum.

Similarly, to the current in-house test, the Mayo assay is also a Lyme total antibody assay, detecting both IgG and IgM antibodies, with the same specimen type as the in-house test. However, test turn-around-times may be increased.

Lastly, this change will have no effect on the reflexing of positive samples to the confirmatory Lyme Disease Antibody, Immunoblot, Serum. Continue Reading

October 31, 2020 by Laboratory Services

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