2016 Bulletins

Communications

Provincial

• Biotin Interference with Laboratory Testing (December 15, 2016)
• PD-L1 Lung Biomarker Testing Available in Alberta (December 9, 2016)
• Provincial Standardization of Creatinine Reference Intervals (November 28, 2016)
• Laboratory Web Survey (November 17, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Urine Dip ‘N Count Media for Microbiology Testing (November 3, 2016)
• FLT3/NPM1 Mutation Detection Assay (October 27, 2016)
• Galactosemia Testing in Alberta (October 18, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Fetal Fibronectin Testing (October 13, 2016)
• Provincial Standardization of Lipid Reference Intervals and Reporting Comments (October 11, 2016)
• Ewing and Synovial Sarcoma - Change in assay methodology (August 18, 2016)
• Fetal Fibronectin Result Comment for Discontinuation of Testing (August 1, 2016)
• CoPath Application Outage (June 16, 2016)
• Timed Urine Albumin Reporting Changes (April 19, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Amniotic Fluid Bilirubin Testing (January 21, 2016)
• Incompatibility of NiaStase RT® pre-filled syringe with ICU Medical MicroClave® Neutral Connector needleless IV connector (January 21, 2016)
• Update on Laboratory Testing for Patients Under Investigation for Ebola Virus (January 11, 2016)

ProvLab

• Change of the Confirmatory Test for Syphilis (November 24, 2016)
• Update on Enterovirus EV-D68, Acute Flaccid Paralysis and Severe Respiratory Infection (November 9, 2016)
• Change in Reporting of Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination (TPPA) Assay Results (October 13, 2016)
• Global Emergence of Candida auris Infections (October 4, 2016)
• Changes to Microbiological Testing of Vaginal Specimens (September 13, 2016)
• Specimen Acceptance Policy for STI Testing (August 2, 2016)
• Implementation of RIDA®GENE Bordetella Assay at ProvLab (July 21, 2016)
• Update on Testing for Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses (May 20, 2016)
• Hepatitis C Virus Testing for Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Incidents (May 20, 2016)
• Transition to New Zoonotic Serology Requisition – FINAL REMINDER of Notice to Change on 1st June, 2016. (May 20, 2016)
• New HIV Diagnostic Algorithm (May 17, 2016)
• 2015 Antibiogram for University of Alberta Hospital (April 29, 2016)
• Interpreting Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida Species that Lack Clinical Breakpoints (March 8, 2016)
• Revised Requisition for Reference Organism Submissions and MRSA Isolate Submissions (March 3, 2016)
• Transition to New Zoonotic Serology Requisition – Three Month Interim Period of Notice to Change (February 25, 2016)
• Implementation of a New EBV Quantitative PCR Assay at ProvLab (February 18, 2016)
• Update on Laboratory Testing for Zika Virus in Pregnant Females (February 10, 2016)
• ProvLab Implementation of Campylobacter Jejuni Surveillance for FoodNet (February 10, 2016)
• Availability of Laboratory Testing for Zika Virus (February 1, 2016)
• Update on Laboratory Testing for Patients Under Investigation for Ebola Virus (January 11, 2016)

North

• Transfusion Reaction Investigation Changes (December 22, 2016)
• INR/PT and PTT Reference Range and Critical Value Standardization (December 15, 2016)
• Urine Magnesium Testing in the North Zone (December 13, 2016)
• NZ Adult Autopsy Request Consent Form Update (December 6, 2016)
• Changes to Ordering Restrictions for BRCA1/BRCA2 Testing for Symptomatic Patients with Ovarian Cancer (November 15, 2016)
• Free T3 Testing in the North Zone (November 8, 2016)
• Pediatric and Stillborn Autopsy Requests from Central Zone and North Zone (Revised November 3, 2016)
• New Reference and Therapeutic Ranges for Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) (October 13, 2016)
• Quantitative D-Dimer Test Changes (September 27, 2016)
• Viewing Peripheral Blood Smear Results (September 16, 2016)
• Pap Test Collection Vial Change (June 28, 2016)
• CoPath Application Outage Extended (June 20, 2016)
• Timed Urine Albumin Reporting Changes (June 14, 2016)
• Thyroid Hormone Testing Changes (April 7, 2016)
• Rh Immune Globulin- Eligibility and testing requirements (March 30, 2016)
• On site C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Testing at Westlock Hospital (March 17, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Fertility Testing (Semen Analysis) at Rural Laboratories (February 11, 2016)
• New Requisition-North Zone (February 4, 2016)
• Random Urine Albumin Reporting Changes (January 7, 2016)

Edmonton

• Changes to the Edmonton Zone Neuropathology Services (December 13, 2016)
• Changes to Ordering Restrictions for BRCA1/BRCA2 Testing for Symptomatic Patients with Ovarian Cancer (November 15, 2016)
• Pap Test Collection Vial Change (June 28, 2016)
• CoPath Application Outage Extended (June 20, 2016)
• Clinical History Provided for Hysterectomy Specimens performed for Benign Disease- Edmonton Zone (June 14, 2016)
• Informed Consent for Transfusion (June 7, 2016)
• Thyroid Hormone Testing Changes (April 7, 2016)
• Blood Component and Product Transport Education Edmonton Zone (February 22, 2016)
• Changes to B, T & NK- Cell Flow Cytometric Enumeration (January 21, 2016)
• Plasma Guideline and Plasma Request Form (January 21, 2016)
• Clarification of the Edmonton Zone Anatomical Pathology Lymphoma Protocol (January 15, 2016)
• Revised Regional Blood Transfusion Service Requisition (January 8, 2016)

Central

• Changes to Ordering Restrictions for BRCA1/BRCA2 Testing for Symptomatic Patients with Ovarian Cancer (November 15, 2016)
• Pediatric and Stillborn Autopsy Requests from Central Zone and North Zone (Revised November 3, 2016)
• Adult Autopsy Requests from Central Zone (October 31, 2016)
• 2015 Antibiogram Central Zone (Former DTHR) (October 24, 2016)
• Central Zone New Non-Gynecological Cytology Requisition/General Requisition Revisions (September 13, 2016)
• Discontinuation of UriSwab urine culture transport tube for Microbiology Testing (August 30, 2016)
• Pap Test Collection Vial Change (June 28, 2016)
• Updated Trauma Order Sets at Red Deer Regional Hospital (June 30, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Examination of Joint Fluid for Cytology (June 28, 2016)
• Timed Urine Albumin Reporting Changes (June 14, 2016)
• Change of Methodology for Troponin I Testing – Central Zone (June 2, 2016)
• Resumption of Thrombin Time Testing (TT) in Drumheller (May 24, 2016)
• Coagulation Specimens With High Hematocrits (May 16, 2016)
• New Factor V Leiden and Activated Protein C Resistance Code (May 2, 2016)
• Thyroid Hormone Testing Changes (April 7, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Urine Dip N Count Media for Microbiology Testing (April 7, 2016)
• Onsite Testing Changes for Lipid Panel and Digoxin (March 10, 2016)
• Surgical Pathology Reports Central Zone (March 8, 2016)
• Pathology Reports Central Zone - Former DTHR physicians only (March 3, 2016)
• Collection and Submission of Muscle, Nerve, Suspect Lymphoma Excisional Biopsies and Medical Renal Core Biopsies (February 25, 2016)
• Phoning All Positive Troponin Results from Community Patients (January 12, 2016)
• Random Urine Albumin Reporting Changes (January 7, 2016)
• Carbapenemase Producing Organisms (CPO) Screening in Central Zone (January 5th, 2016)

Calgary

• Change to SCM Transfusion Medicine Order Sheets (Calgary SCM Users) (December 5, 2016)
• Redirection of Hard Copy Laboratory Results During Extended Absences from Practice (November 25, 2016)
• Provision of Postnatal Investigation Results to Midwives (Calgary Zone & Rural Midwives) (November 9, 2016)
• Update - Interference from Biotin with Laboratory Test Results (November 8, 2016)
• Interference from Biotin with Laboratory Test Results (October 21, 2016)
• Mitogen - Permanent Change to Testing Schedule (October 12, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Distribution of Beta hCG Kits of Physician Offices (September 30, 2016)
• Updated Flow Cytometry Requisition (September 27, 2016)
• Modification of Protozoal Screen (September 13, 2016)
• 75 Gram Oral Glucose Tolerance Testing (OGTT) for Pregnant Women (August 31, 2016)
• Potential Interference from N-acetylcysteine NAC in VITROS Chemistry Assay for Blood Glucose, Lactate, and Urate Measurement in CRH and CHCL (August 29, 2016)
• Fetal Fibronectin Result Comment for Discontinuation of Testing - AHS/DynaLIFE/CLS Laboratory Bulletin (August 11, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Results Report with Blood Product Pick-up (Rural Sites) (June 21, 2016)
• Changes to Transfusion Tags for Blood Components and Products (June 20, 2016)
• Flow Cytometry Mitogen Testing - Schedule Change for July 1 (June 16, 2016)
• Cessation of Washing Red Cells at South Health Campus (June 16, 2016)
• Redirection of Hard Copy Lab Results during Extended Absences from Practice (June 15, 2016)
• Updated Molecular Hematology Requisition (June 2, 2016)
• New Molecular Hemostasis Studies Orderable and Updated Molecular Hematology Requisition (June 2, 2016)
• New Illegible Testing Section in Laboratory Report (May 25, 2016)
• Discontinuation of National Blood Shortage Advisory (May 24, 2016)
• Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) and Autoantibody Testing (May 13, 2016)
• National Blood Shortage Advisory for Group O Red Blood Cells (May 6, 2016)
• Temperature Monitoring Devices in Blood Transport Boxes (April 26, 2016)
• Availability of ECG Reports in Netcare (April 20, 2016)
• Implementation of New Specimen Collection Guidelines for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Testing - South Zone (April 20, 2016)
• After Hours Collection and Transport of Laboratory Specimens (March 24, 2016)
• Implementation of New Specimen Collection Guidelines for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) (March 9, 2016)
• Large Specimen Submission to PLC Laboratory (March 3, 2016)
• Addition of Factor VIII Chromogenic - Two Stage Method (February 23, 2016)
• Completion of Laboratory Requisitions for Electrocardiographs (ECG) (February 9, 2016)
• Change to Helicobacter pylori Culture Transport Media and Collection Guidelines (February 1, 2016)
• Immature Granulocyte Parameter Reporting from FMC Hematology Laboratory (January 22, 2016)
• Discontinuation of STAT Urine Drug Screen (UDS) Testing at Rural Laboratories (January 20, 2016)
• Blood Refrigerator - Change to Unmatched Red Cells, Banff Springs Mineral Hospital (January 19, 2016)
• ER Blood Refrigerator - Unmatched 0 Negative Red Cells for Female Use (January 19, 2016)
• Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) Serum Screens (January 18, 2016)
• Calgary Laboratory Services Relocation to McCaig Tower (January 11, 2016)
• Changes to the Acceptance of Molecular Pathology Laboratory Samples and Test Request Polic (January 7, 2016)

South

• Multiple Requisition Process (December 22, 2016)
• South Zone East Lab Expansion: Changes to Referral Testing (December 21, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Hematology Service Transition Timelines (December 20, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Sample Drop Off (December 15, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Transition Specimen Container Change (December 15, 2016)
• Changes to Meditech Test Codes for some Microbiology Tests (December 15, 2016)
• Mobile Laboratory Holiday Collections (December 15, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Blood Component Washing and Pooling (December 13, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis (December 7, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Semen for Fertility Screening (December 7, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Pinworm Collection (December 7, 2016)
• Laboratory Tests and Associated Costs (December 6, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Semen for Cells Testing (December 6, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Sweat Testing (December 6, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Transition Specimen Container Change (November 25, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion – Microbiology Service Transition Timelines (November 24, 2016)
• South Zone East Laboratory Expansion Update (November 23, 2016)
• Recurring Laboratory Requisition Order for Patient at Risk (November 8, 2016)
• Discontinuation of Urinalysis Urobilinogen and Bilirubin (October 24, 2016)
• New Complete Blood Count Reference Ranges in South Zone East Laboratories (October 6, 2016)
• Update on Testing for Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses (September 27, 2016)
• New South Zone East Laboratory and Microbiology Requisitions (September 27, 2016)
• New South Zone West Laboratory and Microbiology Requisitions (September 27, 2016)
• Quantitative D-Dimer Test Changes (September 27, 2016)
• New Heparin Therapeutic Range for Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) (September 27, 2016)
• PTT for Heparin Therapeutic Range (September 27, 2016)
• New Coagulation Analyzers Implemented in South Zone West Laboratories (September 27, 2016)
• New Coagulation Analyzers Implemented in South Zone East Laboratories (September 27, 2016)
• Patient Instruction Sheets (September 23, 2016)
• Changes to Microbiology Testing of Vaginal Specimens SZE (September 20, 2016)
• Changes to Microbiological Testing of Vaginal Specimens – SZW (September 13, 2016)
• Anti-Xa assay in Medicine Hat and Chinook Regional Hospital Laboratories referral to CLS (September 13, 2016)
• Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging Temporary Hours of Service at Big Country Hospital (August 17, 2016)
• Trial of New Hours of Operation for Fort Macleod Lab/DI Department (August 16, 2016)
• Duplicate Lab Requisitions (July 26, 2016)
• Service Transition; Community Coagulation Testing (INR/PT & APTT) (June 24, 2016)
• Safe Report/Result Delivery; Implementation of Auto-Faxing via Forward Advantage (June 24, 2016)
• Timed Urine Albumin Reporting Changes (June 14, 2016)
• Format Changes to Meditech Reports (June 9, 2016)
• NEW Critical and Priority Request Definitions in Anatomical Pathology (June 1, 2016)
• Ordering Blood Components and Products in Nurse Order Entry (May 31, 2016)
• Return to Previous Pincher Creek Laboratory Hours of Operation (May 6, 2016)
• Decommissioning of Chemistry Analyzer (May 4, 2016)
• Thyroid Hormone Testing Changes (April 7, 2016)
• South Zone East Service Transition - Community Based Non-Gynecological Cytology Phase 3 (February 23, 2016)
• Ordering Cytology Collection Supplies from Stores Department (February 11, 2016)
• Brooks Physician Critical Value Reporting Process (February 10, 2016)
• South Zone East Service Transition – Community Based Non-Gynecological Cytology Phase 2 (January 27, 2016)
• Cross Reactivity of Fulvestrant in Estradiol Assay (January 25, 2016)
• Fluid for pH Analysis (January 18, 2016)
• Random Urine Albumin Reporting Changes (January 7, 2016)
• Removal of Direct Bilirubin Reflex Testing South Zone West (January 7, 2016)