2026 Laboratory Bulletins

Laboratory Bulletins are used to convey pertinent laboratory or clinical information, including such items as:

  • Changes in collection information or practice
  • Introduction of new technology
  • Announcements

A provincial process has been established to manage the distribution of Laboratory Bulletins. If there are questions regarding this process, please contact Lab Client Services at 1-877-868-6848.

Note: Give the page time to fully load as updated content may not be immediately visible.

Date Implemented Bulletin Title Applicable to Distributed by
2026-07-06 Updates to Cancer and Endocrine Gene Panel Testing Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-07-06 New Hematology Analyzers – Sysmex XN530 Provincial (all zones) Hematatology
2026-07-06 Implementation of Order Guidance for Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome Testing Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Pre-Analytics; Connect Care; Corporate (Mitogen); Education
2026-07-06 Addition of Osmolal Gap to APL Acute Care Stat List Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-07-06 Update to Bone Marrow Exam (LAB6) Orderable Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2026-07-06 Updated Semen Analysis Requisition Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2026-07-03 FLT3 Rapid Testing Delays South Molecular Pathology
2026-06-22 Micro Collections: Appropriate Storage and Handling of Expired Tubes Calgary Chemistry; Pre-Analytics
2026-07-02 Change to Instrument and Collection Container for ESR Testing Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2026-06-22 Replacement of Urinalysis Instruments: Community Hub and Urban/Regional Hospital Laboratories Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-06-22 New Hematology Analyzers –Central Zone- Sysmex XN530 Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2026-06-22 Apolipoprotein E (APOE) Genotyping Companion Testing for Anti-amyloid Therapies Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-06-22 Implementation of Provincially Standardized POCT Manual Urine Dipstick Program Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2026-06-22 Implementation of POCT Wet Mount and Gram Stain Testing Program Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2026-05-25 Bone Marrow Collection Device Changes for Fungal and Bacterial Cultures Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2026-05-15 Testing for Hantavirus (Sin Nombre Virus versus Andes Virus) in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2026-05-11 Combined FLT3/NPM1 Testing for New Diagnosis Acute Myeloid Leukemia Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2026-05-11 Revised Process for Lymphoma Diagnostic Pathway in Connect Care Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-05-11 Updates to Calling Group for Edmonton Base Lab Critical Result Central; Edmonton; North Other - Lab Information Centre/Base Lab
2026-05-11 Urine Toxicology Panels - University of Alberta Hospital - Toxicology Laboratory Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2026-05-11 Replacement of SAC HIV PLASMA VIRAL LOAD Orderable Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2026-05-04 Temporary Changes to Anti-Cardiolipin IgG Antibody Testing and Reporting Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Post-Analytics; Other - External Sendouts
2026-04-27 Chimerism Updated Analysis Workflow Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2026-04-27 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2026-04-27 Repatriation of Fetal and Perinatal Loss Exome Analysis Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-04-27 Clarification on Special Dermatopathology Specimen Types and Techniques Edmonton Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-04-27 New Provincial Stat List for Acute Care Facilities Provincial (all zones) Pre-Analytics
2026-04-27 Reporting Changes for High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HS-CRP) Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-02-02 Exome Analysis Guideline Update Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-02-02 Changes to the Upper Reportable Limits on Roche Diagnostic Analyzers at Urban/Regional Hospitals and the Outpatient Testing Laboratory in Calgary Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-02-02 New Process to Order CSF External Send Out Tests Provincial (all zones) Other - External Sendouts
2026-02-02 Change in Amiodarone and Metabolite Level Instrumentation and Reporting Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-02-02 Expansion of Small Volume Blood Collection Tubes Usage in Selected Hospitals Provincial (all zones) Pre-Analytics
2026-01-05 Implementation of the New Provincial Colposcopy Pathology Requisition Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-01-19 Removal of Epic Enter/Edit Functionality for POCT Manual Glucose & POCT Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TcB) Test Result Entry Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2026-01-19 Updated Reporting of HER2 Breast Biomarker Assay (Immunohistochemistry) Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-01-19 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2026-01-19 Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) Calculation Update for Adult Patients Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-01-19 Use of EPIC Request for External Sendout Lab Test for Cytogenetic Chromosome Breakage Testing Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-01-19 Referral of Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Estradiol, Prolactin, & Progesterone Testing to Calgary South Chemistry
2026-01-19 Claudin 18.2 Staining & Interpretation is Now Available in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-01-20 Change in Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Test Panel Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-01-30 Reporting Changes for Thyroglobulin & Anti-Thyroglobulin Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-02-17 Discontinuing Specific In-House Testing for Alpha Thalassemia X-linked Intellectual Disability Syndrome, Cat-eye Syndrome, Choroideremia, Hereditary Glaucoma, Hidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia 2, and Williams Syndrome Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-02-17 Removal of Epic Enter/Edit Functionality for POCT Urinalysis Dipstick (Manual) Test Result Entry Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2026-02-17 Changes to Sample Transport for Ammonia Testing Edmonton Chemistry
2026-02-20 Temporary Discontinuation of Platelet Reticulocyte Testing Provincial (all zones) Flow Cytometry
2026-03-02 Semen Analysis Requisitions Central Hematology; Transfusion Medicine
2026-03-02 Changes to HIV NAT & HIV-1 Viral Load Testing Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2026-03-16 Discarding Residual DNA Samples Received from Sept. 2017 to Dec. 2022 Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-03-16 Implementation of the New Provincial Ophthalmic Pathology Requisition Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-03-16 Expansion of Cardiac Genetic Testing Ordering Privileges for Adult Inpatients Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-03-16 Implementation of Serum Tryptase Testing in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-03-16 New Label for Blood Bank Additional Specimen (LAB5322) Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2026-03-16 Reporting Changes to Tests Involving Aldosterone & Renin Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-03-17 Update to Patient Management of Immunocompromised Patients Testing Positive for High-Risk HPV Detected-Other or Indeterminate on their Cervical Cancer Screening Test Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-03-30 Provincial Implementation of Legionella Urine Antigen Testing Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2026-03-30 Changes to the Performing Lab for Serum Beta 2 Microglobulin (B2M) Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2026-03-30 Changes to the Performing Lab & Methodology for Anti-streptolysin O (ASO) Measurement Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-03-30 Eligibility for 30-Day Pre-Surgical Type & Screen Extension Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2026-03-30 Ordering Solution for the Co-Existence of Gynecological Cytology & HPV Primary Testing Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-03-30 Implementation of Serum Muscle Specific Kinase Antibody Testing in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Other
2026-04-02 Delays to Reporting for Autoimmunity Testing at University of Alberta Hospital Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2026-04-06 Laboratory Implementation of the Cyanokit Reporting Protocol at Provincial Urban Hospital Sites Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Hematology
2026-04-06 New Instruments for Testing Human Growth Hormone (GH), Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP) at the University of Alberta Hospital Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2026-04-09 Temporary Routing Change of Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-04-13 Plasma/Serum Cortisol Changes to Method, Interpretation & Reporting at Edmonton Base Lab Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2026-04-13 Revised Process for Lymphoma Diagnostic Pathway in Connect Care Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-04-13 28-8 PD-L1 IHC Discontinued & Replaced by 22C3 Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-04-13 Hard Stop Question for Fetal Tissue & Products of Conception Requiring Cytogenetic Analysis Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-03-30 Connect Care Workflows for Plasma Protein & Related Products (PPRP) Derivatives for Home Use Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2026-05-25 Implementation of the Revised Provincial Dermatopathology Requisition Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-05-25 New Blood Component Transport Containers South Transfusion Medicine
2026-05-25 Discontinuation of Urine Sulfite Screen Testing Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-05-25 PD-L1 22-C3 Testing for Platinum-Resistant Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma Now Available in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-05-25 Reference Interval Change: Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-05-25 Change in Performing Laboratory for Thiocyanate Testing Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Pre-Analytics
2026-05-25 Seasonal Suspension of Rapid Influenza & RSV NAT (PCR) Provincial (all zones) Microbiology; Public Health Laboratory
2026-06-08 Ordering Practice Changes for “CBC and Differential” – REVISED 8 JUNE 2026 Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2026-06-08 IRF4/DUSP22 FISH Testing for Suspected Large B-cell Lymphoma with IRF4 Gene Rearrangement Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-06-08 New AP Procedure for Handling Products of Conception/Fetus Less Than 20 Weeks Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-06-08 Provincial Standardization on Handling Glucose-related Tests Based on Patient Fasting Status Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2026-07-20 New Alberta Precision Laboratories Test Directory Provincial (all zones) Quality
2026-06-16 Implementation of Onsite Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone (IOPTH) Testing at CRH Laboratory Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2026-06-18 Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (Ebola) Testing & Outbreaks Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2026-07-20 Update to Plasma Catecholamines Testing Provincial (all zones) Analytical Toxicology
2026-07-20 VEXAS Methodology Change Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2026-07-20 BCR::ABL1 Minor Breakpoint qPCR Reporting Changes Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics