Browsing Tag

Infectious Disease

Advanced Technology Laboratory

New Tests: Trichomonas PCR, Mycoplasma genitalium PCR, and STI Panel (Alinity)

New Test Announcement

Corewell Health Advanced Technology Laboratory is pleased to announce the addition of Trichomonas, Mycoplasma Genitalium (Mgen), and STI Panel testing on the Alinity m platform.

As of 1/5/2023, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) STI tests are available using the Alinity m collection kit and a panel which includes the above plus Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG).

All four tests may be run on one urogenital sample, saving cost and time, and reducing human error.

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January 13, 2023 by
Compliance & Safety, Education & Training, General Information, Main lab, Test Utilization

Inform: RSV Testing – Age Restrictions

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) primarily infects pediatric patients, but occasionally infects adults and may be of particular concern for the elderly and immunocompromised. Corewell Health Laboratories offers two tests for RSV. A rapid antigen test may be used to confirm RSV diagnosis in pediatric patients. This test is not approved by the FDA for testing adult patients, so tests will be cancelled if ordered on an off-label age group. There are no age restrictions for RSV testing by way of a molecular panel that also includes COVID and influenza as viruses with overlapping symptoms.

Test name Epic Test ID Methodology Specimen Age restriction
RSV Rapid LAB495 Antigen Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab Approved for patients 0 – 18 years of age
COVID, Influenza, RSV PCR LAB1230746 Molecular/PCR Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab No age restriction
December 19, 2022 by
General Information, Test Utilization

Influenza Testing Recommendation (November 2022)

Influenza cases numbers are currently increasing throughout West Michigan. Influenza prevalence guides the most appropriate testing approach and sufficient prevalence has now been reached for influenza rapid antigen testing (e.g. Sofia instrument) to have improved performance. The use of rapid antigen testing as a screening method during high prevalence reduces both the cost to the patient and turn-around-time as compared to lab-based molecular methods. Rapid antigen tests generally have high analytical specificity, but lack the sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification methods (e.g. PCR). For this reason, PCR testing is still recommended for hospitalized patients and for outpatients with a negative antigen result if influenza is still suspected and if the result will impact clinical decision making. Continue Reading

November 23, 2022 by
General Information

Regionals New Test Communication: “4-Plex”

Effective immediately, the following Regional Hospital Laboratories have the 4-Plex (COVID-19, Influenza A, Influenza B, RSV) test available for ordering and testing:

  • Big Rapids Hospital Laboratory
  • Blodgett Hospital Laboratory
  • Gerber Hospital Laboratory
  • Ludington Hospital Laboratory
  • Pennock Hospital Laboratory
  • Reed City Hospital Laboratory
  • United/Greenville Hospital Laboratory
  • Zeeland Hospital Laboratory

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November 7, 2022 by
Advanced Technology Laboratory, General Information, Molecular Diagnostics

Test Update: Chlamydia and Gonococcus Testing (Alinity m)

Effective October 31, 2022, the Advanced Technology Laboratory’s Molecular Diagnostics Department will accept oropharyngeal and rectal swab specimens as testing sources for Chlamydia and Gonococcus testing using the Alinity m multi-Collect Kit. This specimen type is FDA approved on the Alinity m platform.

NOTE: Specimens collected on patients under the age of 14 or collected for Child Protective Services, will still be sent out to a reference laboratory. Continue Reading

October 28, 2022 by
Compliance & Safety, Education & Training, General Information, Main lab

COVID-19 Test Update for Regional Hospital Lab Clients

Effective Tuesday, September 27, 2022, the following laboratories will be going live with the GeneXpert Xpress for COVID-19 testing: Big Rapids, Gerber, Ludington, Pennock, Reed City, United, and Zeeland.

Please ensure your sites are stocked with the correct collection devices listed below in preparation of the changeover. Continue Reading

September 19, 2022 by
General Information, Main lab

Hepatitis Results Component Update

Effective September 21, 2022, the resulting options for the following Hepatitis lab result components will be updated from “Positive”/”Negative” to “Reactive”/”Nonreactive”. Any additional current resulting options, such as “Equivocal” or “See Comment”, will remain available. This will only affect applicable tests that have not yet been resulted.

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September 13, 2022 by
General Information, Test Spotlight

Influenza Testing Update: April 2022

West Michigan influenza infections peaked mid-March 2022 and have been declining in the weeks that followed. Now with a low prevalence of circulating influenza, using the most sensitive diagnostic test is recommended in order to obtain accurate and actionable results. Influenza antigen testing (e.g. Sofia instrument) is no longer appropriate at this time and Influenza PCR testing should be ordered when clinically indicated.

Low Influenza
Prevalence		 High Influenza
Prevalence
Recommended Order Influenza PCR (LAB3255) Influenza Rapid Antigen (LAB2111530)
or
Influenza PCR (LAB3255)

 

More detailed information can be found as published by the CDC:

Algorithm to assist in the interpretation of influenza testing results and clinical decision-making during periods when influenza viruses are NOT circulating in the community, and in previous lab newsletters: Influenza Diagnosis and Test Utilization

 

TEST INFORMATION

Test name Epic code Interface EMR Code CPT Code
 Influenza PCR  LAB3255 11594 87502
 Influenza Rapid Antigen  LAB2111530 11208 87804 x4
April 15, 2022 by