Browsing Tag

Immunology & Allergy

Education & Training, General Information, Test Spotlight, Test Utilization

Webinar: Managing Rhinitis Patients and the Role of Specific IgE Testing

LIVE Webinar –Managing Rhinitis Patients and the Role of Specific IgE Testing, available at Spectrum Health!

Featuring Guest Speaker Scott Duhaime, MPAS, PA-C

Please join us for a 30-minute webinar on the importance of the primary care providers’ role in regard to managing patients suffering with symptoms consistent with rhinitis—itchy watery eyes, runny nose, and congestion.

We are offering two training webinars for all providers and clinical staff on March 24th.

The goal of this webinar is to address:

♦ Importance of ruling in and ruling out allergies

♦ Debunking misconceptions around managing rhinitis

♦ Simplified patient care management

♦ Qualified referral

Continue Reading

March 16, 2022 by
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
Compliance & Safety, General Information, Immunochemistry, Main lab

Serum Kappa/Lambda Free Light Chain Assay Update

Effective September 28th, 2020, a new generation of the serum kappa/lambda free light chain assay has been implemented.

With the implementation of the new generation of the assay there is an approximately 20% negative bias for kappa free light chains in serum containing >20 mg/dL kappa free light chain.  This may affect the trending for patient who are serially monitored by this assay. Continue Reading

September 24, 2020 by
Education & Training, General Information, Test Utilization

Appropriate Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Ordering

The most conclusive evidence for using thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) is predictive in nature when evaluating possible subclinical hypothyroidism. If this test is positive, hypothyroidism occurs at a rate of 4.3% per year versus 2.6% per year when the antibody is negative. While this scenario does not cover all clinical indications for ordering TPO, there is no definitive evidence that repeat TPO testing provides additional information.1

Based on this information the ordering of TPO within Spectrum Health is being modified. If the test is ordered more than once on a patient, a screen will appear in EPIC indicating the following: “This test should typically only be resulted once per lifetime. The duplicate checking indicates that this patient has already had this testing performed. Please see chart review for results.” This is not a “hard stop” but providers will need to click “Continue” to proceed with the order. Continue Reading

December 9, 2019 by
General Information, Immunochemistry, Main lab, Test Utilization

Protein Electrophoresis Testing Update

In December, serum and urine protein electrophoresis testing will be simplified and standardized.  The only testing available will be:

Protein electrophoresis, serum, IFE if indicated 

Protein electrophoresis, random urine, do IFE if indicated 

Protein electrophoresis, 24 hour urine, do IFE if indicated 

In addition, on December 5, 2019, a new panel will be added which reflects expert recommendations for first line testing for monoclonal gammopathy, including plasma cell myeloma and most cases of amyloidosis, called “Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen”

Protein electrophoresis, serum, IFE if indicated 

Kappa and lambda free light chains  Continue Reading

November 22, 2019 by