2017 Bulletins
2017 Bulletins
Communications
Provincial
- Availability of RiaSTAP™ in Alberta Hospitals (December 14, 2017)
- Change in Availability of CMV Seronegative Blood Components (October 23, 2017)
- Millennium Lab Information System – Evolution and Expansion (October 20, 2017)
- C-Reactive Protein Substitution for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (October 17, 2017)
- Prosigna™ Breast Cancer Prognostic Gene Signature Assay (September 15, 2017)
- Provincial Change to Use of Clear Specimen Transport Bags (September 14, 2017)
- Healthcare Provider Survey (August 29, 2017)
- PD-L1 Lung Biomarker Testing Update (June 29, 2017)
- Optometrists Ordering Laboratory Tests EFFECTIVE June 6, 2017 (May 30, 2017)
- Lipids - Fasting versus Non-Fasting – Clinical Considerations and Laboratory Specimen Collection Policy for Community Patients (Update from 2014 Bulletin) (June 1, 2017)
- Revised Laboratory Acceptance of Samples and Test Requests Policy - EFFECTIVE June 14, 2017 (May 31, 2017)
- Product replacement and discontinuation of serum antimony for serum elements testing (May 2, 2017)
- New Clinical Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Resources (April 27, 2017)
- Urine Oligosaccharide Electrophoresis Testing (April 24, 2017)
- Vitamin B12 Screening and Appropriate Repeat Intervals (April 6, 2017)
- Online Test Directory (April 6, 2017)
- MPL Mutation Assay (March 7, 2017)
- Falsely elevated Progesterone results due to cross-reactivity with DHEA-S (February 21, 2017)
- New Version Transfusion Medicine Policy and Procedure Announcement (February 6, 2017)
ProvLab
- Laboratory Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (December 19, 2017)
- Implementation of Donor Serology Testing at ProvLab (December 14, 2017)
- Alveolar echinococcosis/Echinococcus multilocularis (November 22, 2017)
- Implementation of Laboratory Developed Toxoplasma gondii PCR Assay for Aqueous/vitreous Fluid Specimens (October 5, 2017)
- Rapid Organism Identification from Blood Cultures Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry (September 19, 2017)
- Changes to Rubella and Varicella Zoster Virus Antibody Reporting (July 18, 2017)
- Acceptable Specimen Types for Diagnosis of Propionibacterium acnes Shoulder Joint Infection (June 6, 2017)
- Implementation of Luminex® Respiratory Pathogens Panel (RPP) at ProvLab for the Detection of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (May 11, 2017)
- 2016 University of Alberta Hospital Antibiograms (April 27, 2017)
- Ordering Zoonotic Testing (Including Serologies) Using eClinician® Electronic Medical Record (EMR) (April 20, 2017)
Genetics
- Genetic Lab Service’s, Molecular Diagnostic Lab (Edmonton) Transition to Cerner Millennium® Laboratory Information System (LIS) (November 8, 2017)
- Changes to Cytogenetic Testing for Multiple Myeloma (November 2, 2017)
- Cancer and Endocrine Next Generation Sequencing Requisition Form (August 15, 2017)
- Change in Methodology for Quantitative BCR/ABL1 Assay (June 13, 2017)
- Expansion of Hereditary Cancer testing by Next Generation Sequencing (May 16, 2017)
- Pancreatic Cancer Testing by Next Generation Sequencing (March 28, 2017)
- Urine and Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) Amino Acid Testing (March 23, 2017)
- Fanconi Anemia Testing by Next Generation Sequencing (March 15, 2017)
- Revised Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Requisitions (February 7, 2017)
- Hereditary Cancer and Endocrine Panel testing by Next Generation Sequencing (January 18, 2017)
- KIT D816V Mutation Assay for Mastocytosis (January 4, 2017)
- Amino Acid Testing (January 3, 2017)
North
- ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) Reference Interval Standardization (December 19, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550 – Westlock (December 14, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550 – Whitecourt (December 14, 2017)
- Discontinuation of On Site Transfusion Medicine Testing (December 14, 2017)
- New Transfusion Medicine Process and Protocol (December 12, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550 - Edson (November 29, 2017)
- Hematology Reference Ranges and Critical Values North Zone (November 20, 2017)
- Blood Smear Review and Pathologist Referral Standardization North (November 20, 2017)
- Changes in Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Testing Method (November 7, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550 – Lac La Biche (November 2, 2017)
- Immunohistochemistry Services (November 2, 2017)
- Westergren Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Reference Range Update (November 2, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzer - Sysmex XN550 - St. Paul (October 26, 2017)
- Discontinuation of onsite testing for Salicylate, Total Protein, Albumin (October 26, 2017)
- Standardized Provincial Anatomical Pathology Request Form (October 18, 2017)
- Pediatric and Stillborn Autopsy Requests from Central Zone and North Zone (September 11, 2017)
- Lipid Testing Referral Changes (August 10, 2017)
- Laboratory Referral Testing Changes (August 10, 2017)
- Phenobarbital and Theophylline Testing – QEII Hospital Laboratory (June 1, 2017)
- Change to plastic blood culture bottles (May 25, 2017)
- Semen Fertility Screen (May 16, 2017)
- Venous Blood Gas Analysis- QEII Laboratory (May 9, 2017)
- Implementation of Hematology Analyzer (Sysmex XS1000 - Wabasca/Desmarais) (May 9, 2017)
- Anatomical Pathology User Physician Satisfaction Survey Results (March 24, 2017)
- iSTAT as a backup for the mainframe chemistry analyzer, expansion of the panel of chemistry tests performed on iSTAT and a new order set for the electrolytes testing (March 23, 2017)
- New Seminal Fluid Requisition (February 23, 2017)
- Implementation of Hematology Analyzer (Sysmex XS1000 - Grimshaw/Berwyn) (February 21, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzer – Sysmex XN550 - Barrhead (February 13, 2017)
- On-Site Ethanol, Calcium, Magnesium and Urea Testing at Wabasca HCC Laboratory (February 10, 2017)
- Discontinuation of CSF and Fluid Cell Counts at Rural Laboratories (January 31, 2017)
- Urine Protein Testing (January 25, 2017)
- KIT D816V Mutation Assay for Mastocytosis (January 4, 2017)
- Amino Acid Testing (January 3, 2017)
Edmonton
- Change to University of Alberta Hospital Test Booking Process (December 14, 2017)
- Consolidation of Edmonton Zone Flow Cytometry Laboratory Testing (December 12, 2017)
- Delivery of Blood Products/Components via the pneumatic tube system from the Blood Bank to NICU at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (December 12, 2017)
- C-Reactive Protein Substitution for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (December 6, 2017)
- Clinician Lung Biomarker Requesting Process (December 1, 2017)
- Changes in Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Testing Method (November 7, 2017)
- Standardized Provincial Anatomical Pathology Request Form (October 3, 2017)
- Critical and Priority Request Definitions for Anatomical Pathology Samples (October 3, 2017)
- Total hemoglobin – Differences between Lab and Point of Care (September 19, 2017)
- Sturgeon Hospital Laboratory Hours of Operation for Outpatient Collections (August 28, 2017)
- Revised Edmonton Zone Laboratory Requisitions (August 10, 2017)
- Edmonton Zone Anatomical Pathology Lymphoma Protocol Update (June 29, 2017)
- Change in blood collection tube for troponin testing – Grey Nuns (June 7, 2017)
- Change in blood collection tube for troponin testing – Leduc (June 7, 2017)
- Change in blood collection tube for troponin testing – Sturgeon (June 7, 2017)
- Change to plastic blood culture bottles (May 25, 2017)
- Discontinuation of the Calling of Negative Rapid RSV Screen Results (April 19, 2017)
- Anatomical Pathology User Physician Satisfaction Survey Results (March 24, 2017)
- Change in PTT Reference, PTT Heparin Therapeutic and PTT Critical Ranges at Edmonton Zone Inpatient Sites (March 7, 2017)
- Labels Supporting the Change in PTT Heparin Therapeutic Range Level Affecting Patient Care Orders (March 7, 2017)
- KIT D816V Mutation Assay for Mastocytosis (January 4, 2017)
- Amino Acid Testing (January 3, 2017)
Central
- ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) Reference Interval Standardization (December 19, 2017
- Changes to Northeast Central Zone Body Fluid Analysis Revised (December 19, 2017)
- Referral of Fungal Requests to Provincial Lab Edmonton (December 12, 2017)
- Changes in Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Testing Method (November 7, 2017)
- Standardized Provincial Anatomical Pathology Request Form (October 18, 2017)
- Extension of the reportable range of CRP performed on Vitros ECi analyzer at Camrose and Wainwright laboratories (September 26, 2017)
- Fax Cover Sheets for Automated Faxes (September 26, 2017)
- Pediatric and Stillborn Autopsy Requests from Central Zone and North Zone (September 11, 2017)
- Discontinuation of Albumin, Semi-quantitative, Urine testing in the North-East Central Zone (September 11, 2017)
- Discontinuation of Fertility Screening at Vermilion HC (September 8, 2017)
- Referral of the serum protein electrophoresis testing to CLS and DynaLIFE Medical Labs (July 20, 2017)
- Change in Testing Service Provider for Transfusion Medicine and Concurrent Documentation Standardization (July 4, 2017)
- Standardization of the liver function testing in the North-East Central Zone (June 26, 2017)
- Biotin interference with immunoassays used in North-East Central Zone (June 26, 2017)
- Home Peritoneal Dialysate Specimens (June 15, 2017)
- Microbiology Referral Test Code Changes (June 15, 2017)
- Phoning all Positive D-Dimer Results from Community Patients - Central Zone (May 30, 2017)
- Change to plastic blood culture bottles (May 25, 2017)
- Patient Location on Laboratory Collection Labels (April 27, 2017)
- Blood hCG testing at the Hanna Hospital Laboratory (April 13, 2017)
- Standardization of the reportable categories and reference ranges for manual and automated urine microscopy (April 12, 2017)
- Autoimmune Markers (April 6, 2017)
- 2016 Antibiogram Central Zone (Former DTHR and Camrose) (March 24, 2017)
- iSTAT as a backup for the mainframe chemistry analyzer, expansion of the panel of chemistry tests performed on iSTAT and a new order set for the electrolytes testing (March 23, 2017)
- Positive shift in Uric Acid values obtained on Siemens Vista analyzer in Red Deer Regional Hospital (March 22, 2017)
- Change in Location and Reporting of Semen Fertility Screen (March 20, 2017)
- Discontinuation of Thrombin Time Testing At Drumheller Hospital (March 13, 2017)
- Central Zone – Cytopathology Reports (February 2, 2017)
- Central Zone – New Reporting System for Urinary Cytology (February 2, 2017)
- KIT D816V Mutation Assay for Mastocytosis (January 4, 2017)
- Amino Acid Testing (January 3, 2017)
Calgary
- H. pylori Testing (December 20, 2017)
- SST for Vancomycin No Longer Acceptable (December 6, 2017)
- Flow Cytometry MSA Testing - Change to Testing Schedule for the Christmas Holidays (November 29, 2017)
- Discontinuation of Anti-Neutrophil & Anti-Platelet Antibody Testing by Flow Cytometry (November 28, 2017)
- Redirection of Hard Copy Lab Results During Extended Absences from Practice (November 24, 2017)
- C-Reactive Protein Substitution for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (October 17, 2017)
- Legionella Testing on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples (September 29, 2017)
- Change to the Aptima Collection Kit for CTGC and Trichomonas vaginalis (September 29, 2017)
- Change to Bile Acids Reference Intervals (September 29, 2017)
- Provision of CMV Negative Blood Components (September 25, 2017)
- New Diagnostic Platform in CLS Molecular Pathology Laboratory (September 21, 2017)
- CLS HIL Implementation of HistoTrac (September 18, 2017)
- Provincial Primidone Testing (August 29, 2017)
- Laboratory-Collected Venous Blood Gas Specimens at ACH Emergencyg (August 24, 2017)
- BCR-ABL1 Transcripts by Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) Reporting (August 3, 2017)
- Immature Granulocyte Reporting - Additional Parameter to the Automated Differential Count (July 12, 2017)
- Venous Blood Gas Testing for ACH, PLC and RGH Emergency Departments (June 12, 2017)
- Rate Required for IVIG Orders and New Infusion Tables (May 15, 2017)
- Use of Fibrinogen Concentrate (RiaStap) (May 11, 2017)
- Updated Flow Cytometry Requisition (May 4, 2017)
- Discontinuation of Testing for Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) by Flow Cytometry (April 13, 2017)
- Panzyga IVIG from Octapharma to Replace Octagam (April 6, 2017)
- Venous Blood Gas Testing for Foothills Medical Centre Emergency Department (April 4, 2017)
- Change to Body Fluid WBC / RBC Reporting Units (April 3, 2017)
- CEBPA Gene Mutation Analysis Reporting (March 23, 2017)
- Red Cell Order Screening for Adult Patients (RGH / PLC) (March 13, 2017)
- Interference from Biotin with Laboratory Tests Results (February 13, 2017)
- Re-Defining the Upper Limit for Child-Bearing Age (February 1, 2017)
- Immature Granulocyte Reporting as an Additional Parameter to the Automated Differential Count (January 13, 2017)
- Red Cell Order Screening for Adult Patients (FMC / SHC) (January 5, 2017)
South
- ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) Reference Interval Standardization (December 19, 2017
- Changes to DAT Testing Protocol for Cord Blood (December 19, 2017)
- Change to Microbiology Report Format (December 12, 2017)
- Mobile Laboratory Holiday Collections (December 12, 2017)
- Urine Drug Screen Testing in Emergent Situations (December 7, 2017)
- Chinook Regional Hospital Day Surgery Point of Care Urine hCG Testing (December 5, 2017)
- Changes to Non-Gynecological Cytology Test Request Form (December 5, 2017)
- Online and phone Booked Lab Appointments - Medicine Hat & Brooks Collection Sites (November 28, 2017)
- Train Station Laboratory Collection Services Relocation (November 21, 2017)
- Changes in Glucose-6-Phosphate-Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Testing Method (November 7, 2017)
- Change to Siemens Multistix Product (October 26, 2017)
- Immunoglobulin Test Ordering (October 19, 2017)
- Pincher Creek Emergency Department Abbott iSTAT Analyzer (October 19, 2017)
- Standardized Provincial Anatomical Pathology Request Form (October 18, 2017)
- South Zone Autopsy Referral to Calgary Lab Services (October 4, 2017)
- Change to Malaria Rapid Testing Methodology (July 31, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzers – Sysmex XN550 (July 18, 2017)
- Abbott i-STAT Ionized Calcium Testing (June 22, 2017)
- Discontinuation of Protein Electrophoresis Testing (June 16, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: REVISED BROOKS IMPORTANT LAB (June 7, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion - NEW Brooks Collection Site OPENING, Temporary Site (June 7, 2017)
- Implementation of New Hematology analyzer (Sysmex XN9000) at Chinook Regional Hospital (June 1, 2017)
- Change to plastic blood culture bottles (May 25, 2017)
- Anatomical Pathology User Physician Satisfaction Survey Results (May 18, 2017)
- Implementation of Chemistry Analyzer (Ortho V250) (May 15, 2017)
- New Reporting System for Urinary Cytology (May 5, 2017)
- Lethbridge & Area – Cytopathology Reports (May 5, 2017)
- Positive Shift in Uric Acid Values obtained on Siemens Vista Analyzer at Chinook Regional Hospital (April 27, 2017)
- New Laboratory Test Directory for South Zone (April 13, 2017)
- REVISED - South Zone East Lab Expansion: FOREMOST IMPORTANT LAB Contact Information (March 30, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: STAT/URGENT and Specialized Test Collection Location (March 28, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: FOREMOST IMPORTANT LAB Contact Information (March 28, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: Medicine Hat STAT/URGENT, Specialized Collection Location (March 28, 2017)
- Courier Services for Laboratory Samples (March 24, 2017)
- Changes to Semen Analysis (March 8, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: Laboratory Recurring (Standing) Orders Process (March 3, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: BROOKS IMPORTANT LAB Contact Information (March 1, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: Service Transition BROOKS Lab Patient Collection Site & Mobile Lab Service (March 1, 2017)
- Update: Interference from Biotin with Laboratory Test Results (March 1, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: Medicine Hat & Area IMPORTANT LAB Contact Information (February 23, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion: Service Transition Medicine Hat Lab Patient Collection Site & Mobile Lab Service (February 23, 2017)
- South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Transition New Seminal Fluid Requisition (February 14, 2017)
- Availability of Lactose Tolerance Testing (February 10, 2017)
- New Hematology Analyzers - Sysmex XN550 (February 8, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion- Change to Provision of Laboratory Collection Supplies – Community (February 6, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion- Change to Provision of Laboratory Collection Supplies – Midwife/CFB (February 6, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion- Returning Laboratory Collection Supplies (February 6, 2017)
- South Zone East Lab Expansion- New AHS Patient Instruction Sheets (February 6, 2017)
- South Zone East Laboratory Expansion- C-Reactive Protein Testing (CRP) (February 2, 2017)
- South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Chemistry Service Transition Timelines (January 26, 2017)
- South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Transition Specimen Container Change (January 20, 2017)
- KIT D816V Mutation Assay for Mastocytosis (January 4, 2017)
