News You Can Use
News You Can Use is a regular publication of UR Medicine Labs that includes information including operational updates and clinical test information distributed to our partners and affiliates. If you would like to receive our monthly News You Can Use via email click here.
December News You Can Use
Monday, December 1, 2025
UR Medicine Labs Patient Service Center Holiday Hours
UR Medicine Labs Patient Service Centers will be closed on December 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
We will provide STAT On-Call phlebotomy services on December 25 and January 1 from 7:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. These services are for EMERGENT use only. Ordering physicians need to call UR Medicine Labs Client Services: (585) 758-0510 option 3 to arrange STAT services. Patients will be scheduled for appointments within 1 hour of calls, and services will be provided at the patient service center at 2400 S. Clinton Ave, Bldg. H, Suite 140.
Patient Service Center Changes
- Effective December 1, 2025 the Patient Service Center located at 125 Red Creek Dr. in Henrietta will no longer be open to the public.
- Effective December 1, 2025 the Patient Service Center located at 400 Red Creek Dr. Suite 100 in Henrietta will now have extended hours and will be open 7 a.m.−5 p.m., and will not close for lunch.
PTH Testing
Starting January 7, 2026, any new order placed in EPIC for PTH will be displayed as an order set including calcium. The results of both tests must be interpreted together to determine if the parathyroid glands are functioning properly and to help diagnose the cause of any potential calcium imbalance. It is recommended that any orders placed on requisitions for PTH have calcium included in the order. Link to memo: PTH -Calcium Group Test Memo
New Microbiology Swab Guide Link
Updated Microbiology Swab Guide with helpful information and pictures can be found in this link Microbiology Swab Guide or copy and paste this link to your browser: https://www.testmenu.com/rochester/TestDirectory/SiteFile?fileName=sidebar%5CMicrobiologySwabGuide82025.pdf
Lab Supply Ordering System Website Change
Update your bookmarks and use the following link to order supplies and requisitions: https://webapps.urmc.rochester.edu/labsupply/
Diagnosis Codes
As a reminder it is a requirement that diagnosis codes, (or a narrative), is provided on all
laboratory orders.
Technical Bulletins December
- PTH -Calcium Group Test Memo
- Chemical dependency Screen Update Memo
- New PCR Test for Detection of Measles Virus Memo
For all Technical Bulletins please go to https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pathology-labs/news/technical-bulletins.aspx
October News You Can Use
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
New Microbiology Swab Guide Link
Updated Microbiology Swab Guide with helpful information and pictures can be found in this link Microbiology Swab Guide or copy and paste this link to your browser: https://www.testmenu.com/rochester/TestDirectory/SiteFile?fileName=sidebar%5CMicrobiologySwabGuide82025.pdf
Lab Supply Ordering System Website Change
Update your bookmarks and use the following link to order supplies and requisitions: https://webapps.urmc.rochester.edu/labsupply/
Diagnosis Codes
As a reminder it is a requirement that diagnosis codes, (or a narrative), is provided on all laboratory orders.
Labeling Requirements for Specimens & Requisitions
In the coming months there will be an important change to the acceptability of samples received with discrepant or missing information. Once instituted, each sample not in compliance with our labeling policy will be subject to a higher level of rejection and recollection.
All samples received in the laboratory must have full first and last name of the patient, secondary identifier (DOB or MRN), collection date, collection time and collector’s initials. Electronic documentation in UR Medicine’s eRecord or interfaced systems meets this qualification, all others must record the information the specimen label. Link: Labeling Requirements
Technical Bulletins
For all Technical Bulletins please go to https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pathology-labs/news/technical-bulletins.aspx
September New You Can Use
Monday, September 1, 2025
UR Medicine Labs Patient Service Center Labor Day Holiday Hours
Monday September 1, 2025: All patient service centers will be CLOSED with STAT services available in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.
We will provide STAT On-Call phlebotomy services 7:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. These services are for EMERGENT use only.
Ordering physicians need to call UR Medicine Labs Client Services: (585) 758-0510 option 3 to arrange STAT services.
Patients will be scheduled for appointments within 1 hour of calls, and services will be provided at the patient service center at 2400 S. Clinton Ave, Bldg. H, Suite 140.
Lab Information System Upgrade
On Saturday June 14, we upgraded our SOFT Lab Information System (LIS). Overall, it was a success, but there are some lingering issues still being resolved, as expected with an upgrade of this magnitude. We thank you in advance for your patience.
Lab Supply Ordering System Website Change
Update your bookmarks and use the following link to order supplies and requisitions: https://webapps.urmc.rochester.edu/labsupply/
Diagnosis Codes
As a reminder it is a requirement that diagnosis codes, (or a narrative), is provided on all laboratory orders.
Labeling Requirements for Specimens & Requisitions
In the coming months there will be an important change to the acceptability of samples received with discrepant or missing information. Once instituted, each sample not in compliance with our labeling policy will be subject to a higher level of rejection and recollection.
All samples received in the laboratory must have full first and last name of the patient, secondary identifier (DOB or MRN), collection date, collection time and collector’s initials. Electronic documentation in UR Medicine’s eRecord or interfaced systems meets this qualification, all others must record the information the specimen label. Link: Labeling Requirements
Technical Bulletins
For all Technical Bulletins please go to https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pathology-labs/news/technical-bulletins.aspx
eRecord Changes: Bone Marrow for Lymphoma/Leukemia Workup (BMFLO)
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Tests impacted include: Bone Marrow for Lymphoma/Leukemia workup (BMFLO)
Beginning June 15, as part of a Laboratory Information System upgrade, Bone Marrow Lymphoma/Leukemia Workup will now be a group test including Cytogenetics hold, Molecular hold and Surgical Pathology (Bone Marrow Core Biopsy and Bone Marrow Clot.) These tests should no longer be ordered individually on Bone Marrow Biopsy lab collections.
New labels will be printing to provide more accurate bedside specimen labeling:
- FLBM: Purple Top EDTA--1st pull Bone Marrow Aspirate
- FHOLD: Green top Sodium Heparin—2nd pull Bone Marrow Aspirate
- CYGRN: Green top Sodium Heparin--Cytogenetics aspirate collection
- DNAON: Purple Top EDTA--Molecular aspirate collected
- BMCOR: Bone marrow core biopsy
- BMCT: Bone marrow clot
Please refer to URMC lab test index for all updated ordering, specific test collection and storage requirements: https://www.testmenu.com/ROCHESTER
For questions or concerns please contact Tia LaBarge at (585) 275-6261 or any method listed below.
Andrew Evans M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Hematopathology Section, UR Medicine Labs
UR Medicine Labs at Strong Memorial Hospital
Phone: (585) 273-4591
Email: Andrew_Evans@urmc.rochester.edu
Tia LaBarge
Supervisor, Clinical Bone Marrow Laboratory
Phone: (585) 275-6261
Email: Tia_Labarge@urmc.rochester.edu
July News You Can Use
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
UR Medicine Labs Patient Service Center July 4th Holiday Hours
Friday July 4th: All patient service centers will be CLOSED with STAT services available in observance of the July 4th Holiday.
We will provide STAT On-Call phlebotomy services 7:30 a.m.−3:30 p.m. These services are for EMERGENT use only.
Ordering physicians need to call UR Medicine Labs Client Services: (585) 758-0510, option 3 to arrange STAT services.
Patients will be scheduled for appointments within 1 hour of calls, and services will be provided at the patient service center at 2400 S. Clinton Ave, Bldg. H, Suite 140.
UR Medicine Labs 2025 Client Survey – Your Feedback Matters!
The survey will close July 21, 2025 – please share your opinion! Link to the Survey: UR Medicine Labs 2025 Client Survey
It can also be found under the “Health Care Providers Page” at: Healthcare Providers - URMC Clinical Labs -University of Rochester Medical Center
This survey is intended for office managers, nurse’s/nurse managers, physicians and practice managers, as well as any other staff members who have significant interaction with lab services.
When you complete the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win great prizes!
Lab Information System Upgrade
On Saturday, June 14, we upgraded our SOFT Lab Information System (LIS). Overall, it was a success, but there are some lingering issues still being resolved, as expected with an upgrade of
this magnitude. We thank you in advance for your patience.
Lab Supply Ordering System Website Change
Update your bookmarks and use the following link to order supplies and requisitions: https://webapps.urmc.rochester.edu/labsupply/
Centralized Fax for Patient Orders
If you need to fax a lab order requisition, please use our Central FAX (585) 784-7905
Diagnosis Codes
As a reminder it is a requirement that diagnosis codes, (or a narrative), is provided on all laboratory orders.
Technical Bulletins June-July
- New Test Profile: Extended CBC with Differential Memo
- Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) Update Memo
- eRecord Changes: Chromosome Analysis (CHRMS) FISH, CYTOGENETICS (FISHN) Memo
- eRecord Changes: Hold Green, Cytogenetics (CYGRN) Memo
- Solid Tumor NGS Panel: Resumption of In-House Testing and Change in Assay/Platform Memo
For all Technical Bulletins please go to https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pathology-labs/news/technical-bulletins.aspx