Laboratory Bulletins

Healthcare Providers

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.

Additional novel coronavirus (COVID-19) information can be found on the AHS Staff and Health Professionals page.

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

Date Implemented Bulletin Title Zone / Program
2023-09-22 Temporary Referral of Carbamazepine Testing at Northern Lights Health Centre North;
2023-09-18 Change in Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] Reporting Units to nmol/L Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-09-18 Discontinuation of Blood Xylose Tolerance Testing Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-09-18 Connect Care Launch 7 Readiness - POCT Programs Edmonton; North; South
2023-09-18 Discontinuation of the Rapid Antigen RSV Screen Edmonton
2023-09-18 Change to Hours of Outpatient Collections and Operational Hours at Mayerthorpe Healthcare Centre North
2023-09-11 Discontinuation of Reticulocyte and Body Fluid Cell Count Testing in Bonnyville North
2023-09-05 Discontinuation of Cytodiagnostic Urine Testing Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-08-21 Discontinuation of Acetylcholinesterase (Red Blood Cell Cholinesterase) Testing Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-08-21 Change in Methodology and Performing Site for Sickle Cell Screen Panel Central; Edmonton; North
2023-08-21 Post Transfusion Education Requirements for Outpatients South
2023-08-21 Revised First Trimester Prenatal Risk Assessment Requisition Central; Edmonton; North
2023-08-08 New Requisition for Antiphospholipid Syndrome Investigation Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-08-08 Pilot of new Provincial Connect Care Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collection Guidelines and UAH Lab Processing Update Edmonton
2023-06-26 2022 University of Alberta Hospital Antibiograms Edmonton
2023-06-26 Change in Chemistry Analyzer at High Level Laboratory North
2023-06-26 Discontinuation of Urine N-telopeptide (NTx) assay in Alberta Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-06-26 Blood Group Reporting for Stem Cell Transplant Patients Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-06-15 Testing site change for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing – Calgary and South Zone Calgary; South
2023-04-20 Transfusion Medicine Reminders for Launch 6 Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-04-20 Transfusion Medicine Downtime – May 5th and 6th Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-04-03 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-04-03 New Test in Connect Care - Cell Count, CRRT Effluent  (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 Change in Provincial Adult Autopsy Boundaries Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 Changes to IVIG Ordering in Connect Care Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 Discontinuation of Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 Testing for Acute Care Sites Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 Implementation of White Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) Bands Calgary
2023-03-20 Changes to the Provincial Plasma Inventories Public Health; Genetics; Central; Edmonton; North
2023-03-20 Clinical Indications for Placental Examination Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 Provincial Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) System Implementation Edmonton; North
2023-03-20 NZ Specimen Tube Change for Collection of Cord Blood Transfusion Medicine Testing North
2023-03-20 Delayed Turnaround Time for Urine Oxalate Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 New Dried Blood Spot Citrulline Monitoring Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 New Dried Blood Spot Methionine Monitoring Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 New Tyrosinemia and Alkaptonuria Monitoring Test Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-03-20 Alberta Newborn Screening Laboratory Name Change Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-02-27 ESwab Liquid Based Multipurpose Collection & Transportation System for Microbiology Specimens North
2023-02-24 Change in Reporting of Critical Low Hemoglobin Value for South Zone Community Laboratory Patients South
2023-01-23 Community Laboratory Services Transition to DynaLIFE: Phase 2 Date Change Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-23 Discontinuing “Genetics Send-Out” (LAB10132) Epic Order Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-19 On-Site Rapid COVID-19; Influenza A; Influenza B; and RSV PCR Calgary; Edmonton
2023-01-04 Change to Lab/DI On-Site Availability - La Crete Community Health Centre North
2023-01-09 Discontinuing In-House Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss Testing Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-09 New Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) System Central
2023-01-09 Transfusion Medicine Update Regarding Platelet Components Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-09 Change to Hours of Outpatient Collections at Fox Creek Healthcare Centre North
2023-01-09 Container Updates in EPIC Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-09 Provincial Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) System Edmonton; North
2023-01-09 Blood Availability at Trauma Team Activation North
2023-01-09 PD-L1 Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-17 Temporary Change to Hours of Outpatient Collections/Diagnostic Imaging at Swan Hills Healthcare Centre North
2023-01-20 Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Testing and Outbreaks Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-23 URGENT - Recent AHS Network Downtime Impacting Laboratory Systems Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-25 Laboratory Services Have Returned to Normal Operations Effective 2023-01-25-0700 Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-01-27 Update on SARS-CoV-2 Variant Surveillance Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-02-06 Genetic Testing for Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Proximal Polyposis of the Stomach Syndrome (GAPPS) Available Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-02-06 Impact of Cyanokit Drug on Laboratory Tests Edmonton
2023-02-06 Molecular Assay for Trichomonas vaginalis; Transition to ESwabs; and Specimen Collection for Urine Culture (only applicable to testing sent to DynaLIFE) Central; North
2023-02-06 Pleural Fluid for pH Collection South
2023-02-06 Testing in Edmonton for BCR::ABL1 in new diagnosis ALL; and routine PML::RARA Calgary; South
2023-02-06 Sendout Testing for Fusions in Solid Tumors Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-02-03 New Method and Specimen Collection for Trichomonas vaginalis testing in South Zone South
2023-02-06 Change of Collection Container for Stool Culture and Ova & Parasites South
2023-02-10 Laboratory Testing Changes in Lethbridge South
2023-02-21 Discontinuation of COVID-19 Testing on Abbott ID NOW for Non-Acute Care Sites Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-02-21 Process and Terminology for Priority Anatomical Pathology Requests at RAH Edmonton
2023-02-21 Ink and Adhesives on Blood Products Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-02-21 Fibrinogen Concentrate Substitution for Cryoprecipitate Orders Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-02-21 Edmonton Zone Transfusion Medicine Requisition Supply Update Edmonton; North
2023-02-21 Replacement of Amies Swabs with ESwabs in South Zone South
2023-02-21 Replacement of Amies Swabs with ESwabs in Calgary Zone Calgary
2023-03-10 Change to Lab/DI On-site Availability - La Crete Community Health Centre North
2023-03-20 Revised: Repatriation of Canadian Blood Services Referred Out Testing North; Central; Edmonton
2023-03-24 Changes to Standing Order Process Calgary
2023-04-17 Connect Care Launch 6 Readiness - POCT Programs Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-04-17 New Connect Care Orderable Urate Test for Cancer Patients on the Drug Rasburicase Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-04-17 First Trimester Prenatal Risk Assessment for Aneuploidy Screening – Launch 6 Testing Changes Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-04-17 Specimen Collection for Viral Detection Including SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-04-17 Fixative Change for Gastrointestinal (GI) Biopsy Specimens South
2023-04-17 Resumption of Post Vasectomy and Fertility Testing at Red Deer Regional Hospital Laboratory Central
2023-04-17 Anti-Endomesial Antibody (EMA) Testing: Backorder of Reagents  Calgary; South
2023-04-28 Highlights of Laboratory Changes with Connect Care Launch 6 Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-01 Alberta Precision Laboratories Requisition Requirements for Connect Care Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-01 Changes to Ordering and Routing of Cytogenetic Testing for Multiple Myeloma (Plasma Cell Neoplasm) Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-01 Terminology for Priority Anatomical Pathology Requests Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-01 Change to Hours of Outpatient Collections and Operational Hours at Mayerthorpe Healthcare Centre North
2023-05-01 Alberta Precision Laboratories – Anatomical Pathology Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-01 Updates to Ionized Calcium Ordering, Testing, and Reporting Edmonton
2023-05-01 Mobile Collection Information System - MCIS Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-05 Changes to Hemoglobinopathy Testing and Reporting Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-08 Change in South Zone Blood Culture Bottles and Testing Location South
2023-05-12 Connect Care Infectious Disease Serology Utilization Rules Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-15 Change of Collection Container for Stool Culture North
2023-05-18 Connect Care Orderable Tests for 24 Hour Urine Collections Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-29 Clinical Practice Guideline for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-29 Stop Phoning Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) Confirmed Results Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-29 New Comprehensive Molecular Testing for Solid Tumors Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-05-29 South Zone use of Transfusion Tag Mounting Records for Connect Care live areas until Launch 7 South
2023-06-12 Resumption of Outpatient Collection Hours at Peace River Community Health Centre North
2023-06-12 Discontinuation of Flow Cytometry Specimen Screening Prior to Referral South
2023-06-12 Change in Container Type for Drug Testing Performed at GPRH Laboratory North
2023-06-12 Confirmatory ABORh (CABO) Process in Calgary Zone Calgary
2023-07-10 Transfusion Medicine Reminder of Upcoming Inventory Changes to Plasma and Platelets Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-07-20 Urea Breath Test for Helicobacter Pylori Temporarily Unavailable Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-07-24 Discontinuation of Osmotic Fragility Testing Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-07-24 Discontinuation of Beta-Carotene Assay in Alberta Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-07-24 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-07-24 Provincial Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) System – Legacy Requisition Grace Period Ending August 8 Edmonton; North
2023-08-24 Implementation of Fecal Calprotectin Testing in Alberta Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-08-29 Anti-CCP and CA15-3 Test Changes in Calgary South
2023-08-29 Anti-Endomesial Antibody (EMA) Testing: Backorder of Reagents South
2023-10-03 Classification of Transfusion Medicine Testing Services in the Brooks Laboratory South
2023-10-03 IOPTH in Connect Care Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-10-03 Launch of molecular Vaginitis Screen & Updates to Trichomonas vaginalis testing (only applicable to locations sending testing to DynaLIFE Edmonton) Central, Edmonton, North
2023-10-03 Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Evaluation with Muscle Specific Kinase (MUSK) Autoantibody Reflex Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-10-03 Changes to Massive Hemorrage Protocol  Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South
2023-10-03 REVISED - Tumour Testing Results Required for Germline Lynch Syndrome Genetic Testing Public Health; Genetics; Calgary; Central; Edmonton; North; South