Laboratory Bulletins

2018

Provincial

Change in methodology for t(9;22) BCR/ABL1 detection assay (December 17, 2018)
Submission of Intraosseous Blood Specimens to the Laboratory (December 3, 2018)
New Reporting Values for serum Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (SACE) (November 13, 2018)
New Transfusion Medicine Information System: Mediware HCLL™ (June 18, 2018)
Ordering testing at the Edmonton Flow Cytometry Lab (May 7, 2018)
IVIG Dosing to be based on Ideal Body Weight for Alberta Patients (February 13, 2018)

Provlab

ProvLab Testing for C. difficile (December 17, 2018)
New Online Test Directory for Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (ProvLab) (July 30, 2018)
Implementation of quantitative PCR for Human Herpesviruses 6 A and B (HHV-6 A and HHV-6 B) starting June 7, 2018 (June 4, 2018)
2017 University of Alberta Hospital Antibiograms (June 4, 2018)
Change in Reporting of Group A Streptococcal emm Types from emm Type Only to emm Type and Subtype (April 23, 2018)
Implementation of Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing at ProvLab for the Detection of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae (March 26, 2018)
Updated ProvLab Bacteriology Requisition (February 9, 2018)
Updated ProvLab Serology and Molecular Testing Requisition (Cross-Site) (February 1, 2018)
Repeating HCV Genotype Determination Prior to Initiation of Antiviral Therapy (January 30, 2018)
Changes to Carbapenem Reporting Cascade for the Enterobacteriaceae (January 11, 2018)

Genetics

New Requisition for Constitutional Cytogenetics (December 17, 2018)
Change to Ordering Restrictions for Lynch syndrome testing in patients with ovarian cancer (September 24, 2018)
New GLS South (Calgary) DNA Extraction Process (August 27, 2018)
Change in Amniotic Fluid AFP Testing (July 16, 2018)
Changes in urine microscopic red blood cell reportable categories and reference interval (June 4, 2018)
New GLS South (Calgary) Biochemical Genetics Requisition (June 4, 2018)
Expanded Cystic Fibrosis Panel Testing (June 4, 2018)
Change to Testing Location for Urine Homovanillic and Vanillylmandelic Acids (May 22, 2018)
New Online Test Directory for Genetics (March 12, 2018)
Revised Chromosomal Microarray Requisition (March 12, 2018)
Mitochondrial sequencing and deletion/duplication studies (February 8, 2018)

North

Change to Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Methodology (December 17, 2018)
Changes in Urine Microscopic Red Cell Reporting and Reference Interval (December 17, 2018)
Urinalysis Changes for QEII Laboratory (December 17, 2018)
Update to Edmonton Zone and North Zone Adult Autopsy Triage (December 17, 2018)
Safe Report/Result Delivery; Implementation of Auto-faxing via Forward Advantage for Peace Meditech sites (December 10, 2018)
Implementation of a new ALT method on Vitros analyzers in North Zone (December 3, 2018)
Standardized reporting of Specific Gravity for Urine hCG (Pregnancy Test) Results (December 3, 2018)
Change to Protein/Creatinine Ratio Reference Range (September 24, 2018)
Locum Physician Laboratory Reports (September 24, 2018)
Red Cell Order Screening for Stable Non-Bleeding Adult Patients (September 7, 2018)
Ionized Calcium testing in Edson, Hinton, Lac La Biche, Slave Lake, St. Paul, Westlock, Whitecourt (August 27, 2018)
Urine Drug Screen Testing in Emergent Situation (May 22, 2018)
New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550-Fairview (May 7, 2018)
Changes to the reporting of Normalized Ionized Calcium in patient test panels run at the Point of Care on Radiometer blood gas analyzers (May 7, 2018)
Suppressed ABG and VBG results in Netcare and other clinical information systems (April 23, 2018)
Change in Outpatient hours at QEII Laboratory (April 23, 2018)
Discontinuation of onsite testing for LD, AST and Urate (April 23, 2018)
Semen Analysis Results from the Alberta Health Services Andrology Laboratory, available in Netcare (March 26, 2018)
Testing for Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (O157 and non-O157) (March 12, 2018)
New Reference Range for Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) (March 12, 2018)
New Online Test Directory for North Zone (March 1, 2018)
Ionized Calcium testing in Peace River (February 27, 2018)
Changes in Transfusion Medicine (February 15, 2018)
New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XS 1000i – Elk Point (February 6, 2018)
Phoning Only Positive Troponin Results - North Zone (January 31, 2018)
On site C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Testing at Various Sites (January 25, 2018)
New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550 - Smoky Lake (January 23, 2018)
New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550 – Slave Lake (January 23, 2018)
Laboratory Report Format Changes (January 9, 2018)
Umbilical Cord Blood Gas Testing (January 4, 2018)

Edmonton

Bone marrow procurement service changes at the Misericordia Hospital (December 17, 2018)
Update to Edmonton Zone and North Zone Adult Autopsy Triage (December 17, 2018)
C. difficile testing and results (October 22, 2018)
Red Cell Order Screening for Stable Non-Bleeding Adult Patients (September 7, 2018)
BNP availability in the community/outpatient settings (July 30, 2018)
Changes to the reporting of Normalized Ionized Calcium in patient test panels run at the Point of Care on Radiometer blood gas analyzers (May 7, 2018)
Lot Switch of Accu-chek strips (April 30, 2018)
Suppressed ABG and VBG results in Netcare and other clinical information systems (April 23, 2018)
New Process for B5701 High Resolution HLA Typing for Abacavir (April 9, 2018)
Semen Analysis Results from the Alberta Health Services Andrology Laboratory, available in Netcare (March 26, 2018)
Heparin Anti-Xa Level on-site testing delay at the MIS (March 20, 2018)
Heparin Anti-Xa Level testing availability on-site at the GNH, MIS and SGH (March 12, 2018)
Testing for Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (O157 and non-O157) (March 12, 2018)
BNP In-Hospital Heart Failure forms at the University of Alberta Hospital (February 20, 2018)
Revised Edmonton Zone Laboratory STAT Requisition (February 1, 2018)
RAH, NEC – New cutoff and collection requirements for troponin testing (January 4, 2018)
Standardized Provincial Anatomical Pathology Request Form-Update (January 4, 2018)
Updated Synoptic Templates Now Available for Use- Edmonton Zone (January 4, 2018)

Central

Malaria Screen New Antigen Test (December 3, 2018)
Change of performing sites for LDH orders placed at Vermilion, Viking Health Centres and St-Joseph’s Hospital at Vegreville (December 3, 2018)
Standardized reporting of Specific Gravity for Urine hCG (Pregnancy Test) Results (December 3, 2018)
Implementation of a new ALT method on Vitros analyzers in North-East Central Zone (November 19, 2018)
Changes to Quantitative D-Dimer Testing – Wetaskiwin Laboratory (November 5, 2018)
Changes to Quantitative D-Dimer Testing – Red Deer Regional Hospital (RDRH) Only (September 18, 2018)
Expansion of the on-site CRP Testing in West and Southeast Central Zone (July 16, 2018)
Changes to 72-hour Quantitative Fecal Fat Testing at Calgary Laboratory Services (July 16, 2018)
Recall of Accu-Chek Inform II Test Strip Lot #476653 (May 11, 2018)
Central Zone Laboratory Microbiologist Consultation Services (April 9, 2018)
Semen Analysis Results from the Alberta Health Services Andrology Laboratory, available in Netcare (March 26, 2018)
Changes to Sweat Chloride Reporting (March 26, 2018)
Testing for Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (O157 and non-O157) (March 12, 2018)
Discontinuation of Red Blood Cell Pooling with Plasma or Saline for Neonates (February 28, 2018)
Spinal Fluid Collection Protocol for CZ Nursing Units (February 27, 2018)
Expansion of the on-site CRP testing in North-East Central Zone (February 27, 2018)
Changes to Northeast Central Zone Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis (January 25, 2018)
Implementation of AP QA Plan Cytopathology Metrics (January 18, 2018)
Changes to Northeast Central Zone MCHC Reference Ranges (January 16, 2018)

Calgary

Redirection of Hard Copy Lab Results During Extended Absences from Practice (December 17, 2018)
Malaria Testing Algorithm Changes (November 5, 2018)
Notification of Transfusion (September 19, 2018)
Changes to Emergency Blood Transfusions for Neonates (September 4, 2018)
Informed Consent Prior to Blood Transfusion (August 24, 2018)
Addition of Reference Interval for Protein to Creatinine Ratio (August 17, 2018)
Repeat testing of C. difficile (August 7, 2018)
Implementation of Separate Blue Room Temperature Container for Transporting Platelets (July 24, 2018)
Implementation of Blue Container for Platelet Transport and Storage (July 17, 2018)
Changes to 72-hour Quantitative Fecal Fat Testing at Calgary Laboratory Services (July 16, 2018)
Updated CLS Flow Cytometry Test Menu and Requisition (July 16, 2018)
Red Cell and Plasma Order Screening (July 5, 2018)
Changes to Reference Intervals & Critical Values for Calcium & Potassium (May 24, 2018)
Recall of Accu-Chek Inform II Test Strip Lot #476653 (May 11, 2018)
Prolactin Reference Ranges (Calgary Zone Endocrinologists) (May 2, 2018)
Implementation of IVIG Dosing Based on Ideal Body Weight (April 5, 2018)
Changes to Sweat Chloride Reporting (March 26, 2018)
Closure of Stadium Patient Service Centre (PSC) (March 14, 2018)
TSH Progressive Testing & Thyroid Function in Pregnancy Reference Intervals (March 8, 2018)
D-Dimer Cut-Off Value Update (February 1, 2018)
Change of Test Method for Stool for Ova and Parasite (January 24, 2018)

South

Implementation of a new ALT method on Vitros analyzers in South Zone (December 17, 2018)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Testing (December 17, 2018)
Standardized reporting of Specific Gravity for Urine hCG (Pregnancy Test) Results (December 3, 2018)
Extension of Hours at South Zone Rural Laboratories (November 19, 2018)
Change to Protein/Creatinine Ratio Reference Interval (November 19, 2018)
Removal of Creatine Kinase (CK) from South Zone Meditech Order Sets (November 19, 2018)
Changes to Reference Intervals and Critical Values for Cord Blood Gases (November 5, 2018)
Implementation of revised South Zone Microbiology (#20571) and South Zone Laboratory Requisitions (#20572) (October 9, 2018)
Implementation of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) at Oyen Laboratory (October 9, 2018)
Change to Service at Bow Island Health Centre Laboratory/DI (October 9, 2018)
South Zone Implementation of CVD Risk Assessment using the Framingham Risk Score (September 24, 2018)
Changes to Reference Intervals and Critical Values for Calcium, Potassium and Valproate (August 27, 2018)
Troponin T testing on h232 cardiac meter– Measuring range and Lower Limit (August 27, 2018)
SALICYLATE – Reference Interval and Critical Value Standardization (July 30, 2018)
Taber Emergency Department Abbott iSTAT Analyzer (July 30, 2018)
Changes to 72-hour Quantitative Fecal Fat Testing at Calgary Laboratory Services (July 16, 2018)
South Zone Implementation of New Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Testing (June 18, 2018)
Implementation of Direct Bilirubin Testing at the Rural Laboratories (June 18, 2018)
Submission of Samples from Labor & Deliver & Emergency to CRH Pathology Lab (June 18, 2018)
Medicine Hat and Area Autopsy Referral to Calgary Lab Services (June 4, 2018)
C-Reactive Protein Method Change (June 4, 2018)
Standardization of Urine Microscopic Red Blood Cell Reportable Categories and Reference Ranges (June 4, 2018)
TSH Progressive (Reflex) Testing (June 4, 2018)
Unaccounted Osmolal Gap (June 4, 2018)
South Zone Implementation of Ideal Body Weight for IVIG Dosing (April 23, 2018)
C- Reactive Protein Substitution for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (April 9, 2018)
Holter Monitor Services change from Laboratory to Cardio-Respiratory (March 26, 2018)
Changes to Sweat Chloride Reporting (March 26, 2018)
Change to transfusion guidelines for females of childbearing potential (March 26, 2018)
Transcutaneous Bilirubin Testing (TcB) (February 6, 2018)
Patient Reports to Family Physicians (January 23, 2018)
New Hematology Analyzers – Sysmex XN550 – Milk River/Raymond/Taber (January 4, 2018)
New Hematology Analyzers – Sysmex XN550 – Bassano/Bow Island (January 4, 2018)
New Hematology Analyzers – Sysmex XN550 – Oyen (January 4, 2018)

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