2024 Laboratory Bulletins 

Date Implemented Bulletin Title Applicable to Distributed by
2024-12-16 Erythropoietin Testing: Temporary Result Delay Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-12-09 Changes to Urine Protein Electrophoresis Reporting at Edmonton Base Lab Edmonton; North; Central Chemistry
2024-12-09 Discontinuation of Lipid Panel and Lithium Level Testing at St. Mary's Hospital in Camrose, Wainwright Health Centre and Bonnyville Healthcare Centre Central; North Chemistry
2024-12-09 Updated Methylation-Specific MLPA (MS-MLPA) Kit for Russell-Silver Syndrome (RSS) Provincial (all zones) Genetics/Genomics
2024-12-09 Universal/Viral Transport Medium Collection Kit Transition Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-11-25 Patient Safety Concern - Separation of Transfusion Tags from Blood Components and Blood Products Prior to Completion of Administration Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-11-25 New On-site Testing at Alberta Children’s Hospital: High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T, Quantitative Beta hCG, and N-Terminal Prohormone B Type Natriuretic Peptide Calgary Chemistry
2024-11-25 CSF and Fluid Cell Count Processing and Testing Changes Central Hematology
2024-11-25 Implementation of the New Provincial Non-Gynecological Cytopathology Requisition Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-11-25 Flow Cytometry Mitogen Stimulation Assay (MSA) and Lymphocyte Activation Marker (LAM) Testing – Holiday Schedule Provincial (all zones) Flow Cytometry
2024-11-25 Nursing Unit Collected Busulfan Pharmacokinetic Specimens at Arthur Child and ACH Calgary Chemistry
2024-11-15 Use of ProvLab for Drinking Water Bacteriological Samples Related to New Water Main Projects Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-11-12 Testing Changes at Chinook Regional Hospital for Complement 3, Complement 4, Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin G, Immunoglobulin M and Rheumatoid Factor Calgary; South Chemistry
2024-11-12 ADAMTS13 Activity and Antibody Provincial Standardization Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2024-11-12 Handling and Transporting Blood Components and Products Online Module and Blood Drop Sticker Distribution Changes Provincial (all zones)
2024-11-12 Ordering criteria for the Fanconi Anemia and DNA Repair Disorders Panel Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-11-12 Update to Mobile Collections Service Expiry for Connect Care Sites Provincial (all zones) Other - Mobile Collection Services
2024-11-12 New IT Interface for Laboratory Tests with MitogenDx Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-09-25 Changes to HLA Typing Testing for Carbamazepine Hypersensitivity Provincial (all zones) Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics
2024-09-25 Changes to HLA Typing – Disease Association and HLA Typing – Pharmacogenomics Test Codes Provincial (all zones) Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics
2024-09-25 New HemosIL D-Dimer Test Method Calgary Hematology
2024-09-23 Change in Respiratory Pathogen Panel Testing Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-09-16 Discontinuation of Transport Media for Tissue Culture Specimens Central Microbiology
2024-09-05 NPM1 Quantitative Test Send Out - New Procedure Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2024-09-05 Changes for Oral Pathology Specimens Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-08-19 Mpox – Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHIEC) Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-08-19 Clinician Requested Anatomic Pathology Consultations Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology; Connect Care
2024-08-19 Notice of CPSA Accreditation Assessment – Fall 2024 North Transfusion Medicine
2024-08-06 Clinical Indications for Urine Cytopathology Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-08-06 Discontinue use of Outdated Requisitions for First Trimester Prenatal Risk Assessment Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2024-08-06 Reporting Changes for Partial Pressure of Oxygen (pO2) in Blood Gas Panels Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Point of Care
2024-08-06 Changes to Transfusion Tags for Blood Components (Red Blood Cells [RBC], Plasma, Platelets) Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-08-06 Lung Non-Small cell Carcinoma (NSCLC) Biomarker Testing in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology; Molecular Pathology
2024-08-06 PD-L1 22C3 IHC Testing in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinomas Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-08-06 Request for Additional Testing for Pathology Samples- Oncotype DX Ordering Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-07-25 Clinical and Laboratory Guidance – Plant-Based Beverages and Outbreak of Listeria Infections Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-07-18 Integration of Newborn Screening into Connect Care Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-07-17 Beta hCG Abbott i-STAT Availability: Change in Order Required Provincial (all zones) Biochemistry
2024-07-12 FAQ: Coordination of Care Recipients & Merging Duplicative Lab Requisitions - Revised Provincial (all zones) Connect Care
2024-07-11 Blood Culture Bottle Shortage Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2024-07-08 Implementation of Beckman Access 2 Instruments - High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) with 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway, Quantitative Serum Beta hCG and BNP South Chemistry
2024-07-08 Discontinuation of Lithium Testing in St Therese (St Paul) Laboratory North Chemistry
2024-07-08 Newborn Screening Card Changes Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-07-08 Introduction of Blood Acylcarnitine Profile Testing at University of Alberta Hospital Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-07-08 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-06-24 Gyne PAP Sample Submission Edmonton; North Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-06-24 Implementation of Rapid Syphilis & HIV antibody testing at Peter Lougheed Hospital, APL Acute Care Laboratory Calgary Chemistry; Point of Care; Microbiology; Public Health Laboratory; Connect Care
2024-06-17 Realignment of Infliximab Levels with the World Health Organization Standard Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-06-17 Change to Testing Methodology and Reference Intervals for Androstenedione Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-06-10 Update to Connect Care Manual Test Result Entry for Newborn Jaundice Screen POCT Orders Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2024-06-10 Change to Adult Female Reference Intervals for Cortisol Urine, 24 Hour Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-06-10 Update to Bile Acid Reference Intervals Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-06-10 Switch To Different Analyzer for Neonatal Total Bilirubin on Babies <30 Days of Age Edmonton Chemistry
2024-06-10 Addition of Vancomycin to the SCH Laboratory Test Menu Edmonton Chemistry
2024-06-10 Testing for Bacterial and Parasite Enteric Pathogens Central; Edmonton, North; South Microbiology
2024-05-27 Brooks Cell Count – Body Fluid Routing Changes South Hematology
2024-05-27 POCT Manual Test Result Entry Fields in AegisPOC “Locking” Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2024-05-27 Appropriate Utilization of the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for Colorectal Cancer Screening and a Reminder of the Discontinuation of the Guaiac Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) in Community Patients South Point of Care; Community Services
2024-05-27 Implementation of the Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Test on the Bioplex Analyzer Central; Edmonton, North Chemistry
2024-05-27 Thyroid Sample Molecular Pathology Test Ordering Updates Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2024-05-27 Changes to BCR::ABL1 Minor Quantitative Testing in Molecular Pathology South Central; Edmonton, North Molecular Pathology
2024-04-29 Specimen Collection Requirements for Non-Gyne Cytology Body Fluids in South Zone South Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-04-29 Germline Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Panel Change Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-05-14 New Specimen Collection Device for MRSA Screening Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2024-04-29 Connect Care Launch 8 Readiness – POCT Programs Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2024-04-29 Respiratory Viral Infection Ordering Changes Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2024-04-29 Provincial Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Collection Guidelines Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2024-04-29 Anti-Beta-2 Glycoprotein and Anti-Cardiolipin Antibody Test Implementation on Bioplex Instrument North; Edmonton; Central Chemistry; Hematology; Pre-Analytics
2024-04-24 Request for Additional Testing for Pathology Samples- PD-L1 Biomarker Ordering Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology; Molecular Pathology
2024-04-24 PD-L1 Testing in Stages II/IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology; Molecular Pathology
2024-04-22 Implementation of Beckman Access 2 Instruments - High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) with 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway, quantitative serum Beta hCG and BNP Central Chemistry
2024-04-19 Highlights of Laboratory Changes with Connect Care Launch 8 Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory; Connect Care
2024-04-15 Genetics & Genomics Specimen Storage Guidelines Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-04-15 Provincial High HCT Coagulation (PT/INR, PTT, Thrombin Time and Fibrinogen) Testing Process Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2024-04-15 Required Collection Containers for Urine General Toxicology Panel (UGTP, Urine Drug Testing Panel) Calgary Chemistry
2024-04-15 New Reporting Comments for Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Testing Central Chemistry
2024-04-15 NGS Testing Delays Resolved Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-04-08 Implementation of Rapid Syphilis & HIV Antibody Testing at Red Deer & Wetaskiwin Hospitals, APL Acute Care Laboratories Central Chemistry; Point of Care; Public Health Laboratory; Connect Care
2024-05-14 Laboratory Testing for Suspected Measles Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-04-01 Repatriation of Cold Agglutinin Titre Testing to Edmonton North Transfusion Medicine
2024-04-01 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-04-01 Updates to Bioavailable Testosterone and Free Testosterone Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-03-22 Change in Chemistry Analyzer at Fort Vermilion Laboratory North Chemistry
2024-03-06 Connect Care Standing Order Management Update Provincial (all zones) Connect Care
2024-02-20 Sugar Identification, Urine Testing Consolidation Edmonton; North; Central Hematology
2024-02-20 Blood Transport Container Slip Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-02-20 Update to Plasma Ammonia Testing and Reference Interval at Leduc Community Hospital, Westview Health Centre, Devon General Hospital, Peace River Community Health Centre, and Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre Edmonton; North Chemistry
2024-02-20 Change in Instrument for Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BOH) Test in Northwest Health Centre Laboratory (High Level) North Chemistry
2024-02-05 CSF Processing and Testing Changes South Hematology
2024-02-05 Therapeutic Target Range and Reporting Changes for Lithium Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-02-05 Temporary Referral of Quantitative Serum / Plasma hCG Testing from St. Mary's Hospital (Camrose) to Edmonton Base Lab Central Chemistry
2024-02-05 Viral Transport Medium Change Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-02-05 Implementation of Extractable Nuclear Antigen Antibodies Test on the Bioplex Instrument North; Edmonton; Central; Chemistry
2024-02-05 Implementation of the Anti-Double Stranded DNA Test on the Bioplex Instrument North; Edmonton; Central; Chemistry
2024-02-02 Implementation of Beckman Access 2 Instruments – BNP reporting in High Level and Fort Vermilion North Chemistry
2024-02-01 Urine Cytology Sample Collection South Pre-Examination
2024-02-01 RightFax Outbound Fax Delays Provincial (all zones) Connect Care
2024-01-26 H232 Cardiac Testing Disruption – Referred Out Testing Required South Chemistry
2024-01-22 Implementation of Rapid Syphilis and HIV Antibody Testing at Misericordia and Grey Nuns Hospital, APL Acute Care Laboratories Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-01-22 Discontinuation of Apolipoprotein E Genotype Testing for Cardiovascular Risk Provincial (all zones) Genetics/Genomics
2024-01-22 Introduction of Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Score Ordering and Reporting in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Hematology
2024-01-22 Laboratory Workflow to Address Multiple Orders in an Outpatient Setting Provincial (all zones) Pre-Examination
2024-01-22 Temporary Referral of Serum Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Measurement to DSC Chemistry Central Zone; Edmonton Zone; North Zone Chemistry
2024-01-08 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-01-08 Revised Client Resource Autopsy Requests Guideline Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2024-03-04 Updates to Zika Virus Testing Provincial (all zones) Public Health
2024-03-04 Laboratory Providing Lactose Tolerance Drinks Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-03-04 Target Range Change for Blood Lead Level (Pediatrics) Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-03-04 New BK Virus Nucleic Acid Test Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-03-04 Change in Instrument for Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BOH) Test Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-03-04 Launch of a Molecular Vaginitis Screen in Calgary & South Zones Calgary; South Microbiology
2024-03-04 Changes to Bacterial Vaginosis, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis & Trichomonas Vaginalis Test Methods & Testing Location Calgary; Central; North; South Microbiology
2024-03-04 New Community Microbiology Requisition Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2024-03-04 Implementation of an Updated Beckman High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway at Canmore General Hospital & High River General Hospital Calgary Chemistry
2024-03-04 Testing Change – PML::RARA t(15;17) fusion detection in new and existing Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) patients Calgary; South Molecular Pathology
2024-03-18 Alberta Precision Laboratories Requisitions Provincial (All Zones) Quality
2024-03-18 Blood Culture Ordering and Best Practice Advisory Provincial (All Zones) Microbiology
2024-03-18 Unpacking of Blood Transport Boxes After Laboratory Hours South Transfusion Medicine
2024-03-18 HLA Edmonton and HIL Calgary Name Change to Transplant Laboratory North and South Provincial (All Zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-03-20 NGS Testing Delays Provincial (All Zones) Microbiology
2024-05-03 Changes to BCR: ABL1 Quantitative Testing in Calgary Zone and South Zone Calgary; South Genetics & Genomics; Molecular Pathology
2024-05-13 Updated Pediatric Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Cutoff Inclusion of iSTAT Lactate with Blood Gas Reporting Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-05-13 Inclusion of iSTAT Lactate with Blood Gas Reporting North Genetics & Chemistry
2024-05-13 Implementation of Urine Drugs of Abuse Testing for Narcotic Transition Services Provincial (all zones) Point-of-Care
2024-05-13 Reference Interval Update for Ceruloplasmin and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Calgary; South Chemistry
2024-05-13 Test Change and Updated Interpretive Comment for C-telopeptide Assay Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-05-13 Screening of Blood Component Orders in all Zones Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-05-13 Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) add-ons for neonates Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-05-13 Implementation of Beckman Access 2 Instruments - High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) with 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway, quantitative serum beta hCG and BNP Calgary Chemistry
2024-05-13 Implementation of a factor to be applied to Beta hCG, Quantitative results on Beckman Access2 Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-05-13 Inflammatory Skin Conditions Edmonton; North Anatomic Pathology
2024-05-13 Implementation of POCT Fetal Scalp Lactate Testing Calgary Point-of-Care
2024-05-13 Changes to Request Processes for Hemostasis Investigations, Hereditary Thrombophilia/Thrombosis Investigations & Antiphospholipid Syndrome/Lupus Investigations Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2024-05-16 Classification of Transfusion Medicine Testing Services in the Lac La Biche Laboratory North Transfusion Medicine
2024-05-16 Provincial Transfusion Medicine Transformation Project - Beta Testing Sites Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2024-06-04 Test Directory & Antibiogram Access Provincial (all zones) Quality
2024-07-22 Discontinuation of CBC Testing at Bashaw & Consort Laboratories Central Hematology
2024-07-22 Replacement of Amies Swabs with ESwabs for Microbiology Specimens North; South Microbiology
2024-07-22 Implementation of Rapid Syphilis & HIV antibody testing at Chinook Regional Acute Care Laboratory, for the Emergency Departments at Cardston & Pincher Creek Health Centres South Chemistry; Point of Care; Microbiology; Public Health Laboratory
2024-07-22 Referral of Fertility Tests (Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin, & Progesterone) to Edmonton Base Lab North Chemistry
2024-07-22 Factor V Leiden & Prothrombin G20210A - New Test Method Calgary; South Molecular Pathology
2024-07-22 Cell-Free DNA Testing for Metastatic & Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2024-07-22 Changes to Xylazine Reporting for UODP and UGTP Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2024-07-22 Lyme Disease Testing: Cancellation of Requests Lacking Clinical Information Provincial (all zones) Microbiology; Public Health Laboratory; Community Services; Connect Care; Quality; Education
2024-07-22 Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Molecular Newborn Screen Results Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-09-03 Replacement of Cytogenetic Analysis Breakage Testing with Fanconi Anemia and DNA Repair Disorders Panel Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2024-09-03 Reference Interval Changes for Glucose in Neonates Provincial (all zones) Point of Care; Chemistry
2024-09-03 Discontinuation of Nocardia Culture Orderable Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2024-09-17 Test Menu Changes at Multiple Rural Laboratories Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-10-01 Referral of Albumin, Lactate Dehydrogenase, & Phosphate to Edmonton Base Lab Edmonton Chemistry
2024-10-01 Viral Transport Media Supply Ordering Change Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-10-01 Flow Cytometry Mitogen Stimulation Assay (MSA) and Lymphocyte Activation Marker (LAM) Testing - Reduced Lab Function/Capacity Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2024-10-15 Discontinuation of Thromboelastogram (TEG) Orderable Edmonton Hematology
2024-10-15 Changes to Random Urine Protein Electrophoresis Testing at Edmonton Baselab Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2024-10-21 Changes to Reportable Range for C-Reactive Protein (CRP) at Edmonton Baselab - REVISED Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2024-10-15 Connect Care Launch 9 Readiness – POCT Programs Provincial (all zones) Point-of-Care
2024-10-15 Flow Cytometry Mitogen Stimulation Assay (MSA) & Lymphocyte Activation Marker (LAM) Testing – Reduced Lab Function/Capacity Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2024-10-15 Implementation of Qualitative HIV-1 NAT (PCR) Reflex Testing on Serum Samples that Screen Positive for HIV Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-10-15 Inclusion of i-STAT Lactate with Arterial/Venous Blood Gas Reporting at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital & Care Centre (Castor) & Coronation Hospital & Care Centre Central Chemistry
2024-10-11 Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Testing & Outbreaks Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-10-15 APL Laboratories Moving to the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre Provincial (all zones) Point of Care; Hematology; Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics; Cellular Therapy; Pre-Analytics; Flow Cytometry; Anatomic Pathology/Cytology; Molecular Pathology; Genetics & Genomics; Clinical Trials & Research
2024-10-28 Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG Testing - Reporting Changes Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2024-11-13 Change to Distribution of Reports for First Trimester Prenatal Risk Assessment Performed in Edmonton Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2024-11-13 Change to distribution of reports for Second Trimester Prenatal Risk Assessment Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2024-12-02 New Tests Lupus Anticoagulant Insensitive PTT & Anti-Xa Heparin Level Calgary Hematology
2024-12-23 Specimen Requirements for Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome and Russell Silver Syndrome Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics