Laboratory Medicine Updates - 6/25/2001

 University of Virginia Health System

Medical Laboratories

“Quality You Expect, Service You Deserve”

LABORATORY MEDICINE UPDATE

June 25, 2001

IMPORTANT SPECIMEN COLLECTION CHANGES:
ALUMINUM, LEAD, AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ANTIGEMIA ANALYSES

Beginning July 6, 2001, several specimen collection changes will be implemented.    They are necessary due to a change in our reference laboratory, from American Medical Laboratories (AML) to Quest Diagnostics.

All blood specimens submitted for aluminum analysis must be collected in royal blue top tubes (with or without EDTA).  The orange top tubes currently used for aluminum testing will no longer be accepted.

Please discard all orange top tubes to prevent confusion.  Royal blue top tubes (with and without EDTA) can be obtained from Medical Laboratories Central Receiving.  Off site facilities may order these tubes by calling Medical Laboratories client services at 434-924-5172.

All blood specimens submitted for lead analysis must be collected in royal blue top tubes (with EDTA), lavender top tubes or lavender top microtainers. The green top tubes and green top microtainers will no longer be accepted.

All blood specimens submitted for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antigenemia analysis must be collected in dark green top tubes (sodium heparin).

NEW REFERENCE INTERVALS FOR COAGULATION TESTING

New instrumentation in the Coagulation Division of Medical Laboratories will be placed in use on June 28, 2001.  The new instrumentation will result in the establishment of the following new reference intervals.  All patient reports, both paper and electronic, reflect the appropriate reference interval for the method/instrumentation used.

Please page the resident on-call for the Special Coagulation Laboratory at pic # 1663 with questions.