08/17/10
Testing for Rh Immune Globulin
A policy change has been implemented by Parkview Health Laboratories to ensure that all potential RhIG candidates are identified and receive the proper dosage of RhIG. The policy change does not include any new testing; rather it reflects consolidation of all necessary testing into one order and ensures that necessary testing is not overlooked.
The laboratory requests that physicians who are responsible for RhIG administration decisions order the RhIG Screen test on all pregnant or recently pregnant patients for whom RhIG may be indicated. This includes outpatients for antenatal RhIG, postpartum patients and patients presenting to ED that are at risk for fetomaternal hemorrhage. The laboratory will perform and result only the necessary testing within the RhIG Screen (ABO/Rh, Antibody Screen and/or Fetal Screen) based upon the patient’s Rh type, gestational age, previous testing and situation. Testing that is not indicated will be cancelled. The patient will be charged for only the tests within the RhIG Screen that are performed. The final report now includes a “RhIG Indicated” result line that is reported as “Yes” or “No” for clarity, see attached example.
Please contact the blood bank Medical Director Dr. Craig McBride or x 33656 or the blood bank lead technologist Julie Crosby x 33687 with questions.
07-27-10
On July 28th, 2010 Parkview Hospital Laboratory implemented a new Chemistry Analyzer.
The change has brought about reference range and specimen requirement changes.
Reference Range Changes for Parkview Hospital Laboratory only:
ALT - The current ALT reference range for 1-7 day old patients is 37-81 U/L,
but will be changing to 12-81 U/L. The current ALT reference range for 7 days
and older is 30-65 U/L, and will be changing to 6-65 U/L.
CRP - The CRP reference range will be changing from 0.0-0.9 mg/dL to 0.0-0.3 mg/dL.
Preferred Specimen Requirements Changes at Parkview Hospital Only:
Ammonia - 3.0 mL Plasma from a Green Top Tube - Li Heparin on ice; stable for 3 hours.
Salicylate - 1.0 mL Serum in a SST Red Top Yellow Ring Tube; stable 3 days Refrigerated,
if serum is poured off of gel 7 days.
Drug Screen - 1.0 mL Serum in a SST Red Top Yellow Ring Tube; stable 24 hours Refrigerated
on cells, or 3 days Refrigerated on gel barrier, or 7 days Refrigerated separated from cells and gel barrier
On August 11, 2010, the Troponin I Reference Ranges will change for all Parkview Health laboratories.
For Parkview Hospital Laboratory
0.0-<0.05 Reference Range
<0.05 ng/mL Does not indicate cardiac damage
0.05-0.6 ng/mL Abnormal, undetermined significance, repeat testing (in 2-3 hours), and
further testing may be indicated according to clinical findings
> = 0.6 ng/mL Consistent with myocardial infarction, if clinical characteristics correlate
For Parkview Huntington, Lagrange, Noble, North, Whitley Hospital Laboratories
0.0-<0.1 ng/mL Reference Range
<0.1ng/mL Does not indicate cardiac damage
0.1-0.6 ng/mL Abnormal, undetermined significance, repeat testing (in 2-3 hours),
and further testing may be indicated according to clinical findings
>=0.6 ng/mL Consistent with myocardial infarction, if clinical characteristics correlate
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We wish to extend a warm welcome to two new pathologists who are joining Parkview Health Laboratories.
Dr. Yi Zhuang completed his pathology residency at the University of Kansas Medical
Center in Kansas City. His Hematopathology fellowship was completed at William
Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.
Dr. Brando Cobanov completed his pathology residency at the University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey. His Oncologic Surgical Pathology Fellowship was completed at
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and his Cytopathology Fellowship
was completed at at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Effective August 1st, 2010, Parkview Health Laboratories (PHL) will discontinue the
Quickview Direct Access Lab Testing program due to new regulatory restrictions and guidelines. Although PHL is discontinuing the Quickview program, the Prompt Pay Discount program, which provides a 50% discount off of all in-house testing for non-insured individuals, will continue.
The Prompt Pay Discount program will assist non-insured customers by offsetting the cost of
laboratory testing. If you have any questions or concerns with this change, please contact Kevin Schaefer, Lab Marketing Representative at 260-373-9403.
June 2010
Referce Range Changes
The Lipase test reference range has changed to 39-241 U/L due to a manufacturer's reagent modification. The previous reference range was 110-290 U/L.
Added Screening
On June 9th, 2010, the laboratories included a methadone screen in all Urine Drug Screen tests.
The cut-off will be 300 ng/mL.
May 2010
Testing for D Antigen and Rh Type
On June 1, 2010 Parkview Health Laboratories will begin a more conservative Rh test interpretation
for blood product recipients and prenatal patients. This approach eliminates the weak D test and assigns Rh negative status to individuals that demonstrate a negative or weak expression with
anti-D reagents to ensure that patients with weak D expression will be considered candidates for
Rh Immune Globulin, will receive Rh negative red cells and be recorded as Rh negative in the database. Occasionally, patients that were determined to be Rh positive previously may now be designated Rh negative.
Contact the laboratory when a discrepancy occurs in the reported Rh typing. The blood bank or pathologist can explain the facility’s policy in regard to partial D and weak D testing. Contact Dr. Bustamante at 373-3658 or Blood Bank 373-3687.
February 2010
Information on TSH Generations, Stool Collections and PSA Screening, to learn more click here...
10/29/09
Beginning November 9 2009, Parkview Health Laboratories will begin resulting the non-HDL Cholesterol calculation with all Lipid Profile results. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends patients with triglycerides >= 200 mg/dL after LDL goal is reached have a secondary goal for non-HDL cholesterol (total - HDL) 30 mg/dL higher than LDL goal. Please call Lisa Daniel, PVH Technical Manager, at 373-3668 or Dr. Blandine Bustamante at 373-3658 with questions.
07/21/09
After 7-31-09, the laboratory will no longer be able to offer the Rapid Group B vaginal/rectal test. The test kit is no longer available. Please continue to order the Group B Strep culture.
06-25-09
Beginning 7-6-09, Parkview Health Laboratories will begin reporting Estimated Average Glucose (eAG) in addition to the Hemoglobin A1c result. The American Diabetes Association has recommended that laboratories report the eAG result as an adjunct to the A1c.
While the A1c result represents the average glucose over time, the eAG will be reported in the same units as daily self-monitoring glucose devices and may assist the patient’s ability to interpret the A1c.
For patients that may see an average glucose on their glucose meters, the eAG value may likely not match. People with diabetes are more likely to test more often when their glucose levels are low, while the eAG represents glucose levels continuously throughout the day including after meals when people are less likely to test. The eAG may help patients more directly see the difference between their individual meter readings and how they are doing with their glucose management overall.calculation with all Lipid Profile results. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends patients with triglycerides >= 200 mg/dL after LDL goal is reached have a secondary goal for non-HDL cholesterol (total - HDL) 30 mg/dL higher than LDL goal. Please call Lisa Daniel, PVH Technical Manager, at 373-3668 or Dr. Blandine Bustamante at 373-3658 with questions
Questions can be directed to Dr. S. Kim, Medical Director of Hematology, at 373-3655, or Lisa Daniel, Technical Services Manager, at 373-3668.
More information may be obtained at the following:
http://professional.diabetes.org/glucosecalculator.aspx:
Questions and Answers regarding estimated Average Glucose (eAG)
http://www.aacc.org/publications/cln/2009/march/pages/newsbrief0309.aspx
Medical Necessity Requirements coming for Vitamin D Testing
Starting July 1st, 2009 medical necessity will be required for Vitamin D testing. Please review the proposed documentation here.
Location Changes for Semen Analysis Testing
As of May 15, 2009, please be aware that semen analysis testing through Parkview Laboratories will ONLY be administered at:
Parkview Health Laboratories, 328 Ley Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.
Due to the complexity of the testing and the low volume that we receive, we have opted to centralize this testing. Please note that there will be no change of locations for post vasectomy testing.
We apologize for any inconvenience to your patients, but Parkview Health Laboratories always strives to provide optimum test results along with our commitment to excellence.
Patient information sheets for semen analysis, as well as post vasectomy testing, and any additional information regarding the above mentioned tests, are available here in the test direcory under the indvidual test
We thank you for your co-operation and understanding.Parkview Health Laboratories truly values your business. Any additional questions or concerns can be addressed by calling the client response department at 260-373-9500.
03/30/09
Blood creatinine ranges have been updated to reflect pediatric ranges. Beginning Wednesday, April 15 2009 the serum or plasma creatinine ranges will be
Male:
< 1 year: 0.3 - 1.0 mg/dl
1 year to 4 years: 0.1 - 0.4 mg/dl
5 years to 11 years: 0.2 - 0.7 mg/dl
12 years to 15 years: 0.4 - 0.9 mg/dl
> = 16 years: 0.8 - 1.3 mg/dl
Females
< 1 year: 0.3 - 1.0 mg/dl
1 year to 5 years: 0.1 - 0.5 mg/dl
6 years to 15 years: 0.3 - 0.7 mg/dl
> = 16 years: 0.6 - 1.3 mg/dl
01/26/09
Parkview Health Laboratories currently offers a 2nd generation TSH assay. This assay offers an assay range of 0.010-150 uIU/mL with a reference range of 0.32-5.00 uIU/mL. There is a 3rd generation TSH assay available as a send out to Specialty Labs (expected turnaround time of 3 days). This assay offers an assay range of 0.004-150 uIU/mL with a reference range of 0.35-5.50 uIU/mL. All orders for TSH will continue to be performed using the in-house test. Orders for ultrasensitive or 3rd generation TSH will be sent out to our reference lab.
07/23/08
Parkview North and Parkview Huntington add on-site testing (More Information)
02/18/08
The 5 tests below now require new media for collection (More Information)
Chlamydia trachomatis Culture
Mycoplasma hominis/Ureaplasma Culture
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Culture
Virus Culture, Comprehensive
Herpes Culture
12/14/07
On Monday, December 17th the following changes go into effect for Candida sp. Antibodies ID & Fungal Immunodiffusion Panel tests (more)
11/28/07
Beginning January 7, 2008 Parkview Health Laboratories will be offering AneuVysion testing on amniotic fluid specimens. (more)
11/16/07:
Parkview Health Laboratories (PHL) provides high-quality, cost-effective laboratory services to the community. (more)