Provider Notifications and Memos
Notifications and Technical Bulletins
October 19, 2009
On Thursday, October 15, 2009 the SMH and HH Clinical Labs changed the reference range for platelet counts.
September 23, 2009
Transition to New Roche Diagnostics Instrumentation
Strong Memorial Hospital Reference Range Guide
Highland Hospital Reference Range Guide
On Wednesday September 23rd, URMC Labs will begin the first stage of transitioning all chemistry testing to new instrumentation. There are several notable changes involved, one of which is new reference ranges that will be identical between Strong Memorial and Highland Hospital testing sites.
September 22, 2009
Present and Future Troponin Assays
Inquiries stemming from the recent publication in the New England Journal of Medicine of two large multicenter studies regarding troponin assays has prompted URMC Labs to speak to its current status and future offerings.
August 6, 2009
Change in Special Coagulation Reports
As of Monday August 3, 2009, URMC Labs at Strong Memorial Hospital has begun including interpretations on all reports for special coagulation testing.
July 7, 2009
New Hepatitis C Viral Load Assay
As of Monday July 6, 2009, the Molecular Virology Laboratory has transitioned to a new FDA approved version of the HCV viral load assay. Although similar to the former PCR methodology, it is analytically a bit more sensitive and is expected to provide greater standardization across labs.
July 7 , 2009
Expansion of Autoimmune Testing
Effective Friday, July 3, 2009, the Immunology/Serology Laboratory has begun using BioPlex technology to detect antibody to the full spectrum of ANA autoantibody markers.
June 24, 2009
Upcoming Blood Collection Tube Conversion
In the near future, URMC Labs is converting to new laboratory equipment and automation. As part of this process we are changing blood collection tubes to adhere to required standard sizes.
June 19, 2009
New 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Assay (Abridged Version)
New 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Assay (Technical Version)
Effective Wednesday June 24, 2009, URMC Labs at Strong will be switching to an in-house liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS) assay for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels, replacing the current send-out immunoassay.
June 12, 2009
As of Monday June 8, 2009, the Regional Toxicology Laboratory has discontinued looking for buprenorphine and nonbuprenorphine in urine, but a sendout test is available on request for continued identification.
May 7, 2009
Change in Hematology Analyzer Methodology
Sysmex Reference Range Changes Chart
This Sunday, URMC Labs at Strong Memorial Hospital will begin moving all hematology cell counting tests to new instruments made by Sysmex America; new adult reference ranges will take effect with this change (see accompanying chart for details).
April 30, 2009
- Please call the Monroe County Department of Public Health Disease Surveillance Unit (753-5164 or 753-5905 after hours) if you have a suspect case of swine influenza A.
April 24, 2009
Change in Hours at Patient Service Centers
After careful consideration and a review of needs, effective Monday May 4, 2009, hours of operation at 200 White Spruce Boulevard (Brighton) & 5995 Big Tree Road (Lakeville) patient service centers are changing.
April 24, 2009
Change in Recommended Range for Vancomycin Serum Trough Concentrations
As of April 24, 2009, the recommended range for vancomycin serum trough concentrations has changed from 5-15 mg/L to 10-20 mg/L. This change is in line with guidelines issued by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and is also recommended by Strong Memorial & Highland Hospitals.
April 13, 2009
Change in Hours at Patient Service Centers
After careful consideration and a review of needs, effective Monday April 13, 2009, the new hours at 625 Panorama Trail (Penfield) & 300 Meridian Centre (Brighton) patient service centers are Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 12:30pm.
April 13, 2009
Appointments No Longer Necessary for Group Home Residents on Saturdays
URMC Labs no longer requires appointments for group home residents being drawn on Saturdays because any patient service center open during this time is able to accommodate the walk-in traffic.
April 10, 2009
Temporary Reporting Discontinuation for Calculated Globulin
Effective Monday April 13, 2009, URMC Labs is temporarily discontinuing the reporting of calculated globulin levels, as the current reference range does not serve as an appropriate guide to the interpretation of this test.
March 20, 2009
Reporting Change for Thyroglobulin Testing
The lower limit of detection has changed, resulting in no specific numerical value for reported results less than 0.9.
February 2, 2009
Winter Respiratory Virus Season Nursing Home Phlebotomy Coverage
URMC Clinical Labs would like to communicate our current policy regarding response times for phlebotomy service in the event of a potentially positive case within nursing homes and when administering of antiviral medications is involved.
December 30, 2008
Changes in Cyclosporine Testing
The Regional Toxicology Laboratory is pleased to announce that, as of Monday, December 22nd, the Laboratory began measuring cyclosporine levels by two new tandem mass spectrometers. The new assays on these advanced instruments provide improved accuracy to cyclosporine levels.
December 4, 2008
Expansion of Autoimmune Disease Testing Using the BioPlex 2200
The URMC Immunology Laboratory is currently performing a small number of autoantibody tests using BioPlex technology, which employs a multiplexed fluorescent microsphere immunoassay. Starting December 8, 2008, the detection of antibody to double-stranded DNA will be completed as well.
December 3, 2008
2008-2009 Winter Respiratory Virus Season
Many viruses are distinctly seasonal. Each year at this time we provide you with an updated review of laboratory test offerings for the “winter” viruses. New for this year are specialized collection swabs for respiratory virus specimens.
December 3, 2008
Relocation of the Autologous Blood Donor Room
The Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine Unit is pleased to announce the relocation of the Autologous Donor Room to the first floor of Strong Memorial Hospital in the vicinity of the information/reception desk.
November 7, 2008
Changes in Tacrolimus & Sirolimus Testing
The Regional Toxicology Laboratory is pleased to announce that, as of Monday, October 13, 2008, the Laboratory began measuring tacrolimus and sirolimus levels by two new tandem mass spectrometers. Benefits include improved accuracy, reliability, & turnaround time.
October 24, 2008
Appointments Now Available at Two Patient Service Centers
Both the Brighton-area 300 Meridian Centre and 1815 South Clinton Avenue PSCs are now accepting patient appointments.
October 17, 2008
New Fax Number for Lab Supply, Document, & Requisition Orders
On Wednesday, October 15th, URMC Labs switched to a new fax number for lab supply, etc. order requests due to a physical move of personnel to a more central & consolidated location.
September 19, 2008
Laboratory Information System Upgrade & Associated Downtime
The weekend of September 20th there will be an approximate 24 hour system downtime as we upgrade our LIS. Your patience and understanding of its management is appreciated.
September 19, 2008
On Saturday, September 20th, we will begin a phased transition of reference testing to Mayo Medical Laboratories. Additionally, the recent consolidation of our virology testing to Viracor will futher assist in standardization and access to results.
August 15, 2008
New Urine Toxicology Requisition with Reference Guide
The Regional Toxicology Laboratory is pleased to announce the creation of an improved urine toxicology requisition, featuring a reference guide (drug detection being sought, orderable individual test, orderable panel, and the expected result of confirmation testing).
August 13, 2008
New PCR Assay for Enterovirus Detection
The Virology Laboratory now offers a more sensitive alternative for the detection of enteroviruses, which often mimic and need to be distinguished from serious bacterial infections.
July 25, 2008
The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory is pleased to announce a new HIV-1 viral load platform using real-time PCR, offering an extended viral load range.
June 20, 2008
Stool Collection & Transport Guides for Common Tests
To improve laboratory testing and assist patients by providing instructions for stool collection, three color documents are now available.
June 10, 2008
Mayo Medical Laboratories is now performing urine cortisol testing and a container with boric acid is required (orderable via the laboratory supply & document order form). New reference ranges are in effect as well.
May 15, 2008
Standardization & Centralization of Highland Hospital Cytology & Surgical Pathology Reports
Changes will allow us to reduce report delivery time by at least 24 hours, improve Quality Assurance tracking, and assist in problem resolution.
April 25, 2008
Anticoagulation Therapy & the Use of PTT, anti-Xa, PT/INR
Laboratory testing is frequently needed for managing anticoagulant therapy, but some issues have come to our attention based on reviews of current patterns of test use.
April 1, 2008
Adjusted hours at 1820 South Clinton Avenue Patient Service Center (PSC)
The new hours are Monday- Friday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm; a listing of other Brighton area PSCs includes 1815 South Clinton Avenue, 300 Meridian Center, & 125 Lattimore Road.
March 24, 2008
Coagulation specimen transport requirements
All coagulation testing samples are requested to be delivered at room temperature, and in certain instances need to be tested within four hours of collection.
March 12, 2008
Methodology change for analyzing amphetamine and cocaine metabolite confirmations
Toxicology has switched to Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS), increasing sensitivity and reducing interference; this change also applies to the Fentanyl assay.
March 12, 2008
On Tuesday, March 18th, the following tests will be run in-house: Free Testosterone, Thyroglobulin, ACTH, Anti-Thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody, Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase antibody (TPO), and Free T3. Please note the corresponding changes in reference ranges.
February 4, 2008
Prostate biopsy kits have been added to our list of available supplies.
January 31, 2008
Methodology change for analyzing benzodiazepine confirmations
Toxicology has switched to Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS), increasing sensitivity and reducing interference.
January 31, 2008
Nasopharyngeal "flocked" transport swab
A new "flocked" transport swab for the collection of nasopharyngeal specimens is now available, which offers improvements for both the patient and sample collector.
January 21, 2008
Chlamydia & GC Amplification Collection Changes (Inpatient)
Chlamydia & GC Amplification Collection Changes (Outpatient)
Collection devices are orderable, the swabs now feature a liquid preservative, and the collection process is reviewed.
January 8, 2008
Reproductive Genetics & Maternal Serum Screening programs have new phone & fax numbers due to their recent relocation.
December 13, 2007
New patient service center location (replacing 1860 Buffalo Road PSC)
December 5, 2007
The Automated Laboratory is switching to a new creatinine assay.
December 5, 2007
Homocysteine and other new tests
Now being run in house on a Siemens Diagnostics analyzer: Androstenedione, Beta-2 Microglobulin, C-Peptide, DHEA-SO4, Growth Hormone, Homocysteine, IGF-1, Insulin, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin.
December 5, 2007
Updated review of laboratory test offerings for seasonal viruses.
November 26, 2007
Lead testing is now being performed in-house in Strong's Regional Toxicology Lab.
October 29, 2007
Anaerobic specimen collection and transport
Anaerobic bacterial specimen collections guidelines and Port-A-Cult tube ordering instructions.
June 25, 2007
Changes
in 1st Trimester and Quad Screen Reports
1st Trimester Screening reports will now be formatted in a layout similar to our URMC Quad Screen reports. At the same time, our Maternal Screening software will be adjusted to provide all risk calculations in terms of "risk at the time of screening".
May 18, 2007
1st Trimester Screening Update
Since 1st Trimester Screening became available in Rochester in Fall of 2004, its popularity has exploded. Here's some important tips regarding its use and limitations.
May 4, 2007
New Appointment - Dr. Rana Hoda Director of the Cytopathology Laboratory
Dr. Rana Hoda will join our Department in September as Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Director of the Cytopathology Laboratory.
March 19, 2007
Maternal Serum AFP Screening for Neural Tube Defects
In our continuing effort to refine our Maternal Serum Screening Program, we are using new analytical software with improved methods to identify women at increased risk for open neural tube defects (NTD's).
January 11, 2007
PSA Testing
Starting on Tuesday, January 16, 2007, the laboratory will complete the Total PSA conversion and offer Bayer test results exclusively.
November 22, 2006
2006-2007 Winter Virus Season
Review of laboratory test offerings for the "winter" viruses.
October 19, 2006
Coagulation Testing (memo, reference
ranges)
Switch to new instrumentation for high-volume coagulation tests. Changes in reference ranges for PT, INR, APTT, Fibrinogen, Thromb Time, D-dimer, and Factor Assays.
September 15, 2006
Discontinuation of Troponin T
On Tuesday, September 19, 2006, the laboratory completed conversion to the Bayer Ultra Troponin I assay and discontinued Troponin T.
August 1, 2006
Revised Labeling Requirements in Accordance with National Patient Safety Goals
It is the policy of Strong Memorial Hospital that all Clinical Laboratory specimens submitted to the laboratory for testing require complete and consistent labeling on the specimen and requisition.
June 15, 2006
Changes in Cardiac Markers, Fertility Hormones, Digoxin, intact PTH and HCG
(pdf)
Reference Range Changes (pdf)
June 27, 2006 move of immunoassay tests to new instruments made by Bayer Diagnostics, Phase II, with changes in reference ranges and collection tube changes for PTH and BNP (both change from an SST to a LAVENDAR TOP tube).
June 15, 2006
Changes in Thyroid Function Tests, Tumor Markers and Anemia Markers (pdf)
Reference Range Changes (xls)
June 20, 2006 move of immunoassay tests to new instruments made by Bayer Diagnostics, Phase I, with changes in reference ranges.
March 27, 2006
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Testing (pdf)
Beginning on April 3rd, 2006, the laboratory will begin reporting both the qualitative and quantitative results for anti-HBs...