2025 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.

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Date Implemented Bulletin Title Applicable to Distributed by
2025-12-19 Temporary Resumption of Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] Testing Provincial (All Zones) Chemistry
2025-12-12 Transition of Body Fluid, Cerebral Spinal Fluid, Urine and Additional Testing to Roche Cobas® Pure Chemistry Analyzers North Chemistry
2025-11-25 Formalin-Fixed Specimens; Exempt Human Specimen Packaging Provincial (All Zones) Safety
2025-11-24 Flow Cytometry Mitogen Stimulation Assay (MSA) and Lymphocyte Activation Marker (LAM) Testing – Holiday Schedule Provincial (All Zones) Flow Cytometry
2025-11-24 Change to Lab/DI On-Site Availability - La Crete Community Health Centre North Other
2025-11-24 Removal of Epic Enter/Edit Functionality for POCT Pregnancy Urine Manual Test Result Entry North; Edmonton; Central; Calgary; South; Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2025-07-21 Anaplasma Phagocytophilum – Change in Serology and Molecular Testing Process Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-07-21 Outpatient Laboratory Test Result Delays Due to Instrumentation Upgrade Calgary; South Public Health Laboratory
2025-07-21 Testing for C. difficile Edmonton; Central; North Public Health Laboratory
2025-07-21 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-07-21 Change to Hours for Post Vasectomy Sample Drop Offs at Edmonton Base Lab Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-07-21 Testing Collected in Expired Universal or Viral Transport Media Will be Cancelled Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-04-22 Laboratory Testing for Suspected Measles Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-02-18 Improved Access to Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Collection and Testing Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-02-18 Referral of Occult Blood Stool to University of Alberta Hospital Laboratory Edmonton; North Chemistry
2025-02-18 Updated to Familial Hypercholesterolemia Gene Panel Testing Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-02-18 New Electronic Request Process for Amyloid Subtyping Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-01-20 Opening of the New Central Zone Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic  Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-01-20 Cell-Free DNA Testing for Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-01-20 Targeted Chromosomal Microarray for Copy Number Variant Analysis Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-01-20 Referral of Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Prolactin Testing from RDRHC to Edmonton Base Lab Central Chemistry
2025-01-14 Test Name Change: “Lupus Anticoagulant Insensitive PTT” will be renamed to “Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT), LAC-insensitive” Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2025-01-06 Lupus Insensitive PTT replacing PT/PTT Mixing Studies Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2025-02-03 Changes to Ordering Process for Hereditary Thrombophilia Investigations Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2025-02-03 New Test Name for IgH Rearrangement Testing Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-02-03 Discontinuation of Unmatched Red Cell Box North Transfusion Medicine
2025-02-03 Completion of Molecular Genetics North Laboratory Requisitions Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-02-03 H5N1 Avian Influenza Laboratory Testing Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-03-03 Referral of Immunology Tests (Immunoglobulins, Immunoglobulin G, Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin M, Rheumatoid Factor & Cryoglobulin) to Edmonton Base Laboratory North Chemistry
2025-03-03 PD-L1 Testing Reminder Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-03-17 Changes to Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Testing Chemistry
2025-03-17 Transfer of Transfusion Medicine Testing from High Prairie Health Complex to Grande Prairie Regional Hospital North Transfusion Medicine
2025-03-17 New Provincial Stat List for Acute Care Facilities Provincial (all zones) Pre-Analytics
2025-03-17 Changes to Insulin Testing Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-03-17 Provincial Standardization of Serological Testing for Celiac Disease Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-03-17 Provincial Changes to Total Homocysteine Testing Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-03-17 Combined FLT3/NPM1 Testing for New Diagnosis Acute Myeloid Leukemia Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-03-31 Implementation of Rapid Syphilis & HIV Antibody Testing at Chinook Regional Acute Care Laboratory South Chemistry; Point of Care; Microbiology; Public Health Laboratory; Connect Care
2025-03-31 Discontinuation of Serum and CSF Cancer Associated Autoantibody Panel Testing Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-03-31 Discontinuation of some additional result notifications from non-critical specimens Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2025-03-31 New Epic Orderables for "Bilirubin, Total, Cord" and "CBC, Cord" Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-03-31 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-03-17 Implementation of Double Stranded DNA Antibody by Crithidia Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay Chemistry
2025-03-18 New CMV, EBV, Adenovirus, Parvovirus B19, & HHV-6 Nucleic Acid Tests Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-03-24 Change to the 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Method at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2025-04-14 Fine Needle Aspirate Collection Changes South Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-04-14 Revised Urine Cytopathology Test Requirements for Community Urine Specimens Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-04-14 Referral of Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Estradiol & Total Testosterone to the Diagnostic Scientific Centre (DSC) in Calgary South Chemistry
2025-04-14 Provincial Malaria Testing Standardization Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2025-04-14 New Process for Ordering Tests Not Available in Connect Care: Request for External Sendout Lab Test Provincial (all zones) Pre-Analytics
2025-04-28 Referral of Phenobarbital Level & Theophylline Level to Edmonton for Testing North Chemistry
2025-04-28 Implementation of High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) on the Quidel TriageTrue with 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway in Rural Sites South Chemistry
2025-04-28 Centralization of Thrombin Time (TT) Testing Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2025-05-01 Temporary Referral of Complement C3 (C3) Testing to DSC Chemistry Central; Edmonton; North Chemistry
2025-05-12 Serology ordering for Schistosoma spp & Strongyloides stercoralis Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-05-12 Discontinuation of Cell-free DNA Testing for Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-05-26 Genetic Test Ordering Standardization in Connect Care – Fetal/Cord Blood Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-05-26 Provincial Transfusion Medicine Blood Inventory Level Updates Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-05-26 Exome Analysis – Launch of APL Testing Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-05-26 Implementation of High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) with 2-hour Chest Pain Pathway on the OrthoQuidel Triage MeterPro in Rural Sites Central Chemistry
2025-05-26 Implementation of High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) with 2-hour Chest Pain Pathway, B-Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and D-Dimer on the OrthoQuidel Triage MeterPro in Rural Sites South Chemistry
2025-05-28 Change in PTT Normal Reference Interval Due to Reagent Lot Number Change Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2025-05-29 Measles Specimen Collection Pathway – Updated 23 May 2025 Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-06-09 Parvovirus IgM antibody testing – Temporary Change to Biweekly Testing from Daily Testing Provincial (all zones) Microbiology; Public Health Laboratory; Community Services; Connect Care
2025-06-09 Implementation of Conjugated Bilirubin Testing at Athabasca, Cold Lake, Edson, Hinton, Lac la Biche, Slave Lake, St. Paul, Wabasca, and Westlock Laboratories North Chemistry
2025-06-09 Discontinuation of Neonatal and Conjugated Bilirubin Testing at Fox Creek, Grimshaw, Jasper and Manning Laboratories North Chemistry
2025-06-09 Implementation of High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) on the Quidel TriageTrue with 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway in North Zone Rural Sites North Chemistry
2025-06-09 Implementation of High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) on the Quidel TriageTrue with 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway in Rural Sites Calgary Chemistry
2025-06-09 Provincial Changes to Insulin Antibody Testing Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-06-09 NPM1 Quantitative Testing Update Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-06-09 Discontinuation of Neonatal Bilirubin and Conjugated Bilirubin Testing at Crowsnest Pass and Fort Macleod Laboratories South Chemistry
2025-06-11 New Reconstitution Device for Octaplex® and Wilate® Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-06-23 Ordering Practice Changes for “CBC and Differential” Provincial (all zones) Hematology
2025-06-23 VEXAS (UBA1) Send-Out Testing Update Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-06-23 Collection Supply Ordering Change - Stool Kit Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-06-23 Reference Interval Changes: Anion Gap on Vitros and i-STAT Instruments Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-06-23 Discontinuation of routine cutaneous C. diphtheriae toxin testing Provincial (all zones) Microbiology
2025-06-23 Addition of Test Location (forehead, sternum) Documentation for Manual Result Entry of Newborn Jaundice Screen POCT Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2025-06-23 Implementation of New Backup Testing Method for High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) on the Quidel TriageTrue with 2-hr Chest Pain Pathway in Edmonton Zone Edmonton Chemistry
2025-06-23 Phased Removal of Epic Enter/Edit Functionality for POCT Test Result Entry Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2025-06-27 Measles Immunity (IgG) Testing Add-on to Prenatal Blood Samples Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-06-27 Measles Specimen Collection Pathway – Updated 27 June 2025 Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-07-07 Urine Toxicology Panels – University of Alberta Hospital – Toxicology Laboratory North; Edmonton; Central Chemistry
2025-07-07 Standardization of Specimen Collection Container for Folate Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-07-07 Implementation of Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody Blood Test by Cell-Based Assay (CBA) Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-07-07 Temporary Referral of Urea Breath Testing to Dynacare Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-08-05 Return of Complement C3 (C3) Testing to Edmonton Base Lab (EBL) North; Edmonton; Central Chemistry
2025-08-05 Changes to CSF Prion Disease Testing Panel (Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD) Protein Screen) Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-08-05 Return of Urea Breath Testing (UBT) to Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL) Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-08-11 Standardization of the 1,25 di-hydroxyvitamin D Test on the Liaison Instrument Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-08-18 CMV Total Antibody Kit Supply Disruption Provincial (all zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-08-18 NGS Gene Fusion Panel Changes in Cancers of All Organ Systems Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-08-18 Implementation of Quidel TriageTrue High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) Assay for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Edmonton; Calgary Chemistry
2025-08-18 Changes to Infectious Mononucleosis Testing South Hematology; Other
2025-09-02 Draw and Hold for Pretransfusion Testing for Stable Outpatients Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-09-05 REVISED: Standardization of the 1,25 di-hydroxyvitamin D Test on the Liaison Instrument Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-09-15 Cessation of Automatic Printing of Connect Care Laboratory Requisitions for Ambulatory Patient Orders Provincial (all zones) Pre-Analytics
2025-09-15 CRH Chemistry Centrifugation Setting Standardization South Chemistry
2025-09-15 Addition of CRP, Lactate, and Lipase to Cross Cancer Institute Lab Edmonton Chemistry
2025-09-15 Implementation of High Sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) and BNP on the Quidel Triage Meter Edmonton Chemistry
2025-09-15 Platelet Estimate Ranges that are Reported When Clumped Platelets are Present Provincial (All Zones) Hematology
2025-09-29 Alpha Thalassemia Reflex Testing for Pregnant Patients Provincial (All Zones) Genetics & Genomics; Other - Clinical Biochemistry
2025-10-01 Mandatory use of the COVID-19 Influenza and Respiratory Pathogen Panel Requisition Provincial (All Zones) Public Health Laboratory
2025-10-06 Consolidation of Ceruloplasmin Testing [LAB703] to Edmonton Base Lab Provincial (All Zones) Other - Clinical Biochemistry
2025-10-14 Provincial Transfusion Medicine Transformation Project – Final Sites Provincial (All Zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-10-14 Discontinuation of Stool WBC Testing Provincial (All Zones) Microbiology
2025-10-14 Implementation of Daily Lab Order Restrictions in Connect Care Provincial (All Zones) Connect Care
2025-10-14 Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Assay Update Provincial (All Zones) Chemistry
2025-10-15 Change of Testing Methodology for Dermatophyte Detection Calgary; South Microbiology
2025-10-20 Implementation of New Chemistry Analyzers at Northern Lights Regional Hospital (NLRH) North Chemistry
2025-10-22 JAK2 V617F Test Delays Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-10-27 Change of Screening for Cervical Cancer from Cytology to Primary HPV Testing (Age 50-69) Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-10-27 PD-L1 22-C3 Testing for Neoadjuvant Followed by Adjuvant Therapy for Resectable Locally Advanced HNSCC now Available in Alberta Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-10-27 Updates to Transfusion Medicine Client Resources Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-11-10 Changes to Blood Component & Blood Product Transfusion Tags Provincial (all zones) Transfusion Medicine
2025-11-10 Implementation of Ammonia at High Level Laboratory North Chemistry
2025-11-10 Testing Methodology Change to QuidelOrtho D-Dimer in Fort Vermilion & High Level North Hematology
2025-11-10 Expansion of the Connect Care Orderable Urate Test for Cancer Patients on the Drug Rasburicase at Edmonton Hospital Sites Edmonton Chemistry; Pre-Analytics
2025-12-08 Implementation of Standardized Reporting for Body Fluid Crystals South Chemistry
2025-12-08 Discontinuation of Cyclin D1 and BCL2 PCR Testing Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-12-08 JAK2 V617F Test Delays Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-12-08 REVISED - Availability of Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Genotyping (DPYD) Testing Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-12-08 REVISED - Update to the Cystic Fibrosis and/or CFTR-related Disorders Genetic Test Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-12-08 Standardization of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Testing Provincial (all zones) Clinical Biochemistry
2025-12-08 Appropriate Utilization of the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) for Colorectal Cancer Screening and Referral of Fecal Occult Blood Test from Calgary Zone Rural Laboratories to Foothills Medical Centre Laboratory Calgary Chemistry
2025-12-08 External Send Out Results in Netcare: Folder Mapping Changes Provincial (all zones) Post-Analytics; Other: External Sendouts
2025-12-08 Changes to the Upper Reportable Limit on Vitros Analyzers Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-12-08 Removal of Epic Enter/Edit Functionality for POCT AmnioTest and AmniSure Manual Test Result Entry Provincial (all zones) Point of Care
2025-12-08 Changes to Testosterone Testing and Reporting Provincial (all zones) Chemistry; Pre-Analytics
2025-12-16 Temporary Unavailability of Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] Provincial (all zones) Chemistry
2025-12-18 BCR:ABL Connect Care Ordering Changes  Provincial (all zones) Molecular Pathology
2025-12-22 Cessation of Rapid Syphilis and HIV Antibody Testing at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, APL Acute Care Laboratory  North Chemistry; Point of Care; Microbiology; Public Health Laboratory; Connect Care; Corporate; Quality
2025-12-22 Referral Pathway for Positive Newborn Screens for Sickle Cell Disease  Provincial (all zones) Genetics & Genomics
2025-12-22 New EPIC Test for Fibroblast Culture [LAB4017] in Southern Alberta  Calgary; South Genetics & Genomics
2025-12-22 Request for Additional Testing for Pathology Sample – Oncotype DX (ODX) Requests  Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology
2025-12-22 New Contact Information for Calgary Zone on Fine Needle Aspirate Requisition  Provincial (all zones) Anatomic Pathology/Cytology