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2015 Bulletins
Laboratory Services
Laboratory Bulletins
2015 Bulletins
Provincial
ProvLab
Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (ProvLab)
Submitting Campylobacter Isolates to ProvLab (December 10, 2015)
Laboratory Testing for Mumps (March 25, 2013) – Reviewed December 2015
Measles Molecular (PCR) Testing (December 8, 2010) – Reviewed December 2015
Change in Reporting Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi, afzelii and garinii) Serology Results (September 9, 2015)
Broadening of Detection of WNV by PCR to Include all Lineages (September 2, 2015)
Update to ProvLab Guide to Services (August 27, 2015)
Changes to Testing of Gastroenteritis Viruses (August 13, 2015)
Screening for CPO (Carbapenemase Producing Organisms; previously referred to as CRE – Carbapenemase Resistant Enterobacteriaceae) (August 11, 2015)
Detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Rifampin Resistance in M. Tuberculosis (August 10, 2015)
Hepatitis C genotyping (REVISED, August 6, 2015)
2014 Antibiogram for University of Alberta Hospital (July 30, 2015)
Laboratory Guidance on Testing for Emerging Respiratory Viruses at ProvLab in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) (June 18, 2015)
Cessation of Phoning Influenze A/B Positive Results on Hospitalized Patients to Patient Wards (June 1, 2015)
West Nile Virus Screening 2015 (May 28, 2015)
West Nile Virus Diagnostic Testing - Update for 2015 (May 28, 2015)
Update on enterovirus (including Enterovirus EV- D68) testing strategy for severe cases of respiratory illness (March 5, 2015)
New SCM Order for Laboratory Investigation of Blood and Bodily Fluid Exposure (February 12, 2015)
Molecular Serotyping for Salmonella (February 10, 2015)
Genetics
Prenatal Chromosomal Microarracy Testing (December 14, 2015)
New Algorithm for Chorionic Villus and Amniocentesis Samples Collected in Southern Alberta (December 14, 2015)
Fragile XE Testing Discontinued (December 3, 2015)
Changes to Molecular Testing for FGFR3-related skeletal dysplasis (December 1, 2015)
Process Change for the Distribution of Molecular Diagnostic and Biochemical Genetic Laboratory Results via RightFax (October 13, 2015)
Changes to Post Natal Testing for Turner Syndrome (August 20, 2015)
Genetic Lab Services Pediatric/Postnatal Chromosomal Microarray Testing (August 4, 2015)
Copy Number Variant (CNV) Follow-up Policy (June 8, 2015)
Urine Porphyria Testing – update (May 25, 2015)
New Molecular Diagnostic Requisition – South (April 6, 2015)
Urine Porphyria Testing (March 13, 2015)
Revised Maternal Prenatal Screen Requisition - Genetic Laboratory Services (February 10, 2015)
North
Change in Anaerobic Transport Media (December 17, 2015)
Carbapenem Resistant Organism Screening in North Zone (December 7, 2015)
HCG Reference Range and Result Comments (December 7, 2015)
Ionized Calcium (December 1, 2015)
Laboratory Meditech Report Issue (October 23, 2015)
New Lab Requisition for North Zone (October 13, 2015)
Abbott i-STAT Beta-hCG Testing (October 13, 2015)
Acetone Test Code Change (September 15, 2015)
Laboratory Bulletin Interim Change AP and Clinical Pathology North Zone (July 30, 2015)
Completing Requisitions for Maternal Prenatal Screening (June 18, 2015)
Revised Semen Analysis Requisition for Andrology Laboratory, Edmonton Zone (June 16, 2015)
Revised Histocompatibility Requisition (April 21, 2015)
New Platelet Investigation Test Codes (April 21, 2015)
Meditech Laboratory Information System DOWNTIME – Temporary Changes to Services & Processes (Facility) (April 20, 2015)
Meditech Laboratory Information System DOWNTIME – Temporary Changes to Services & Processes (Community) (April 20, 2015)
Change of Methodology for Troponin I Testing at Peace River Community Health Centre (March 26, 2015)
Semen Analysis by Appointment Only (February 17, 2015)
Changes to Cyclosporine Test Orders Meditech Zones (February 5, 2015)
Edmonton
Changes to the submission of tissue samples requiring the Anatomical Pathology Lymphoma Protocol at RAH, UAH, CCI, MIS and GNH (December 4, 2015)
Changes to the Edmonton Zone Anatomical Pathology Lymphoma Protocol at SGH (December 4, 2015)
ESR Vacuum Tubes (November 12, 2015)
Sturgeon Hospital Laboratory Hours of Operation for Outpatient Collections (September 3, 2015)
Differences in Plasma/Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Results (July 24, 2015)
Changes to Edmonton Zone Anatomical Pathology Lymphoma Protocol (July 14, 2015)
Completing Requisitions for Maternal Prenatal Screening (June 18, 2015)
Revised Semen Analysis Requisition for Andrology Laboratory, Edmonton Zone (June 16, 2015)
Revised Histocompatibility Requisition (April 21, 2015)
New Platelet Investigation Test Codes (April 21, 2015)
Changes to PTT reporting resulting from a change in blood collection tubes (March 25, 2015)
Semen Analysis by Appointment Only (February 17, 2015)
Increase in Plasma Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Results (January 30, 2015)
Central
Lab Requisitions ‘Copy To’ (December 10, 2015)
Change in Anaerobic Transport Media (December 1, 2015)
Central Zone Seminal Fluid Requisition (November 23, 2015)
Addition of On-site CRP Testing in Specific Central Zone Laboratories (November 10, 2015)
Abbott i-STAT Beta-hCG Testing (October 13, 2015)
Acetone Test Code Change (September 15, 2015)
Completing Requisitions for Maternal Prenatal Screening (June 18, 2015)
Revised Semen Analysis Requisition for Andrology Laboratory, Edmonton Zone (June 16, 2015)
Revised Histocompatibility Requisition (April 21, 2015)
New Platelet Investigation Test Codes (April 21, 2015)
Meditech Laboratory Information System DOWNTIME – Temporary Changes to Services & Processes (Facility) (April 20, 2015)
Meditech Laboratory Information System DOWNTIME – Temporary Changes to Services & Processes (Community) (April 20, 2015)
On-Site Screening Panel for Drugs of Abuse in Urine - Oxycodone replaces Phencyclidine (PCP) (March 16, 2015)
Uro-genital Test Requests (March 9, 2015)
Semen Analysis by Appointment Only (February 17, 2015)
Changes to Cyclosporine Test Orders Meditech Zones (February 5, 2015)
Calgary
Flow Cytometry Leukemia/Lymphoma Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Testing Criteria (December 15, 2015)
Change to Mitogen Testing Schedule Over Christmas Holidays (December 4, 2015)
Flow Cytometry Holiday Hours of Operation (December 4, 2015)
Redirection of Hard Copy Lab Results During Extended Absences from Practice (November 30, 2015)
Accessing Anatomic Pathology's New Location at FMC Campus (November 30, 2015)
New Electrocardiogram (ECG) Requision (November 24, 2015)
Cellular Therapy Laboratory (CTL) After Hours Products Delivery Location McCaig Tower (November 4, 2015)
Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Relocation to McCaig Tower (November 2, 2015)
New Location for Transfusion Medicine Blood Product Pick Up/Drop Off (October 26, 2015)
Massive Transfusion Packs (MTPs) and Transfusion Medicine's Relocation (October 20, 2015)
Mitogen Testing - Change to Testing Schedule Remembrance Day (October 13, 2015)
Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity and Iron Saturation Changes (October 5, 2015)
Ordering Fresh Red Cells (October 1, 2015)
Rh Immune Globulin Pick Up at FMC Transfusion Medicine (September 29, 2015)
New Hemoglobin A1c Test Utilization Criteria (September 29, 2015)
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (Anti-CCP) Antibody Testin (September 18, 2015)
STAT Fetomaternal Hemorrage Testing (FMH) (September 10, 2015)
Samples in MEDQUEST Evacuated Prevac Containers No Longer Processed at CLS (September 10, 2015)
Completion of Laboratory Requisitions for Electrocardiographs (ECG) (August 31, 2015)
Cellular Therapy Laboratory's New Location at FMC Campus (August 21, 2015)
Hematopoietic Cell Chimerism Reporting (July 22, 2015)
Discontinuation of Urine Myoglobin Test (June 12, 2015)
Discontinuation of Fax Routine (FR) Priority (June 9, 2015)
Return and Reuse of Blood Delivery Bags (June 5, 2015)
Ad-Hoc Requests for Routine Faxed Results (May 25, 2015)
Discontinuation of Flow Cytometry Lymphocyte Subset and Rituxim Panels (April 29, 2015)
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) & Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Testing (AHS Laboratory Bulletin) (March 19, 2015)
Removal of Crossmatch Option from Rural Requisitions (March 6, 2015)
Changes to the Routine Macroscopic Urinalysis Reporting (March 5, 2015)
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPPT) Reference Range (February 25, 2015)
New Method for Trichomonas Testing (February 17, 2015)
Updated Microbiology Requisition (CLS #R9021MI 20150130) (February 17, 2015)
Transition of Testing for Stool for Ova & Parasites (February 17, 2015)
Labelling of Cord Blood Specimens (February 10, 2015)
Return and Reuse of Blood Delivery Bags (January 14, 2015)
South
Hepatitis B Testing South Zone West (December 16, 2015)
South Zone East Service Transition – Community Based Non-Gynecological Cytology Processing & Screening (December 10, 2015)
Changes to Reporting of Serum HCG (HCGSER) (December 3, 2015)
Collection Container Change for Body Fluid analysis (Chemistry) (November 25, 2015)
Temporary Change to Pincher Creek Lab Hours of Operation (November 23, 2015
Abbott i-STAT Beta-hCG Testing South Zone (November 17, 2015)
Discontinuation of Electronic Recurring Lab Orders (Standing Orders) (November 12, 2015)
Changes to CRH Massive Transfusion Protocol Packs (October 14, 2015)
Removal of 2 Unit Default for Ordering RBC in Meditech South Zone West (October 5, 2015)
Body Fluid Collection for Cytology Testing (September 18, 2015)
Acetone Test Code Change (September 15, 2015)
Creatinine – Conversion to “IDMS” Standardization and Revised Reference Intervals (August 28, 2015
Lethbridge Community Laboratory Hours (August 21, 2015)
Capillary Blood Gas Testing for Neonates (July 23, 2015)
Implementation of Anti-Xa assay in Medicine Hat and Chinook Regional Hospital Laboratories (June 30, 2015)
Discontinuation of 20 ml and 30 ml Prefilled Formalin Containers (June 8, 2015)
Discontinuing distribution of infusion sets South Zone East (April 27, 2015)
Meditech Laboratory Information System DOWNTIME – Temporary Changes to Services & Processes (Facility) (April 20, 2015)
Meditech Laboratory Information System DOWNTIME – Temporary Changes to Services & Processes (Community) (April 20, 2015)
Discontinuation of Bleeding Time Testing at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (April 9, 2015)
Urinalysis Changes – South Zone East (March 30, 2015)
Change to Service at Big Country Hospital Laboratory/DI (March 20. 2015)
Transfusion Medicine Practice Changes South Zone West (March 20, 2015)
Urinanalysis Changes - South Zone West (March 17, 2015)
Gross Processing of Fallopian Tubes - South Zone West (March 2, 2015)
Changes to Cyclosporine Test Orders Meditech Zones (February 5, 2015)
Process Change to Optimize Delivery of Pathology Sample to the Lab South Zone West (January 14, 2015)
Transfusion Medicine Practice Changes South Zone East (January 13, 2015)