New Urine Drug Screen Instrument
Starting in late March 2018, all drug screen tests at our Burnaby lab will move from the current Roche Integra 800 instrument to a new Siemens platform. Lab reports will indicate tests where the methodology has changed. Note that the new tests may cross-react differently than the existing method with related compounds: please refer to our website for complete cross reactivity tables. All cut-off levels will be unchanged with the exception of buprenorphine, which is changing from 5 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL, as the new method cross-reacts with both parent drug and metabolites.
Semen Analysis
Semen analysis testing for fertility status and post-vasectomy (PV) samples requires assessment for semen viability and motility testing. As these samples should be tested within one hour of sample collection, patients need appointments for sample delivery to specified Patient Service Centres (PSCs) so that samples reach the testing laboratory in a timely manner. By contrast, requests for Semen RBC or WBC (usually in elderly patients) do not require appointments: these samples may be dropped off at any PSC. It is important that the Laboratory Requisition specifically identifies these tests to avoid unnecessary appointments or delays.
Please request testing as indicated below:
Semen analysis (fertility) – appointment booking is needed, complete semen analysis will be performed.
Post-vasectomy – appointment booking is needed, but only sperm estimates and motility will be reported. We suggest avoid using terms like semen analysis for PV.
Semen for RBC or WBC only– no appointment required.