There is currently a national shortage of STI collection kits for APTIMA testing. This shortage will affect APTIMA testing for Chlamydia, Gonococcus, Trichomonas and Mycoplasma Genitalium (MGen). Spectrum Health Laboratories does offer alternative collection devices and testing for Chlamydia, Gonococcus and Trichomonas.
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Emergency Medicine
Advanced Technology Laboratory, Compliance & Safety, Education & Training, General Information, Main lab, Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Test Utilization
REMINDER: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) PCR and HSV Culture Orders
Please refer to the below for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) orders:
Education & Training, General Information, Microbiology, Test Utilization
Influenza Testing Reminder (2019 – 2020 Flu Season)
At this time when Influenza prevalence is not widespread in the community, please order “Influenza A/B PCR” [LAB3255] when testing is needed. This applies to patients at all Grand Rapids and regional hospitals, and also system wide ambulatory patients.
Effective March 4th, 2020, Thrombin Time will change from a sendout reference test performed by Mayo Clinic Laboratories to an in-house test performed by Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory. This test will be performed in the Coagulation Laboratory and will include a new reference range (please see link in Test Information below).
Thrombin Time is suitable for monitoring fibrinolysis therapy, screening for disorders of fibrin formation and in cases of suspected fibrinogen deficiency states. It is also useful for the differentiation between a heparin induced prolongation of the thrombin time and fibrin formation disorders.
For questions around this test, please contact the Coagulation Department at 616-267-2740.
TEST INFORMATION
Thrombin Time – Epic Code: #LAB11230581, Interface Code: #11230581, CPT: #85670
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.
Effective Wednesday, November 13, 2019, the new Mycoplasma genitalium (mgen) assay is now available using the Aptima target nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for the qualitative detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Mycoplasma genitalium to aid in the diagnosis of M. genitalium urogenital infections in male and female patients.
Effective September 1, 2019, the test Drug of Abuse Screen, Pain Clinic, Urine will be discontinued.
Earlier this year, Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory – Toxicology announced two new drug screen panels, Urine Drug Screen with Confirmation (23 Targets) and Urine Drug Screen with Confirmation (32 Targets) as replacement tests. For more information regarding these new tests please reference this post.
The Spectrum Health Regional Laboratory Hematology Department has updated rejection criteria for the orderables, Cell Count w/ Differential, Body Fluid and Cell Count, Body Fluid. Spectrum Health Hematology will no longer perform cell counts on specimens which are not from a sterile body cavity (e.g. wound drainage, abscess, pus, etc.). Unacceptable specimens submitted to the Hematology Department for cell counts will not be performed and the test will be credited.