Healthcare Providers Newsletters
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May
15,
2020
Molecular and Serological Testing for COVID-19
This article summarizes current state of diagnostic and serological testing for COVID-19 including:
Types of tests offered
Clinical Utility
Considerations in interpretation of test results
Read Full Article
March
26,
2020
Inside Diagnostics - March 2020
In this edition:
COVID-19 UPDATES
Ontario Medical Director Update
CCO-FIT Program Reminder
LifeLabs Implements New Immunoassay Platform
HLA-B27 Testing at LifeLabs
Screening for Lynch Syndrome in Endometrial and Colonic Cancers
Privat...
December
11,
2019
Inside Diagnostics - December 2019
In this edition:
Holiday Hours
Ontario Medical Director Update – Insured vs. Uninsured AST, Serum and RBC Folate Testing
Invited Article: Testing for Heritable Thrombophilia in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism: Choosing Wisely
Biotin ...
October
30,
2019
Inside Diagnostics - Fall 2019
In this edition:
Ontario Medical Director Update
What’s the Big Diff?
Changes to Testing of 24-hr Urine Biogenic Amines
Payment for Uninsured Tests
Download Inside Diagnostics Latest Issue Here
May
3,
2019
Inside Diagnostics - May 2019
In this edition:
A Year in Review: Medical and Scientific Team at LifeLabs
Bacterial Vaginosis – To Test Or Not to Test
Upcoming Changes to ColonCancerCheck Program by Cancer Care Ontario
Causes of Discrepant Hemoglobin Results Are Mostly...
December
14,
2018
Inside Diagnostics - December 2018
In this edition:
LifeLabs ON Holiday Hours 2018
New Hematology Instruments and Parameters
Potassium: Challenges with High Results
The Importance of Providing Collection Date and Time on OHIP requisition
RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity Tes...
November
15,
2018
Inside Diagnostics - Spring 2018
In this edition:
LifeLabs Medical Director Update
Trichomonas Vaginalis Testing
Causes of Discrepant Hemoglobin Results
Urine Drug Screen Panel and the Urine Broad Spectrum Toxicology
(BST) Screen Frequently Asked Questions
Transferrin ...
May
2,
2018
Critical Values reporting after hours.
LifeLabs would appreciate your help in ensuring best patient care when critical values become available after office hours on the tests that you order on your patients. If we do not currently have this information, please contact Pam Bissoo at the Li...
December
3,
2017
Inside Diagnostics December 2017
Staff Changes in Anatomic Pathology
Dr. Terry Colgan and Dr. Mona Kamel have joined the Medical-Scientific staff at LifeLabs. Dr. Colgan will be the Discipline Head for the Histology laboratory, while Dr. Kamel will assume the same role in Cytology....
September
3,
2017
LifeLabs Healthcare Providers’ Conference
Healthcare Practitioners’ Survey
Every year, LifeLabs asks you how we can provide you with a better experience. The input you provide—along with feedback from hundreds of your peers—has helped us make improvements and investments that matter t...
August
7,
2017
Inside Diagnostics Ontario Newsletter – August 2017
Detection of Parasites in Stool Samples by PCR
Diarrheal diseases are extremely common in the developed and developing worlds and are major causes of morbidity and mortality, affecting millions of individuals each year. The aetiologies of diarrhea i...
LifeLabs Provides Community Antibiograms For All LHINS In Ontario
LifeLabs Medical Laboratories is providing antibiograms for all Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in Ontario.
The antibiograms contain information about cumulative susceptib...
December
17,
2016
LifeLabs Ontario Holiday Hours; New Chemistry and Immunochemistry Analyzers – An Update
New Chemistry And Immunochemistry Analyzers – An Update
As part of the continued integration of the LifeLabs and CML laboratories and standardization of lab methods and reporting, LifeLabs has introduced new instrumentation for routine Chemistry a...
New Chemistry & Immunochemistry Analyzers
LifeLabs is introducing new instrumentation for routine Chemistry and Imm nochemistry testing. This is part of the continued integration of the LifeLabs and CML laboratories and will result in the standa...
December
14,
2015
LifeLabs PSC Holiday Hours; Integration Update
Integrating LifeLabs And Former CML Patient Service Centres
Since October 2013, LifeLabs has been working to bring LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services and CML HealthCare together. One key step in this integration has been to convert former CML col...
September
15,
2013
To Fast or Not to Fast… LifeLabs’ revised patient preparation for sample collection
Inside Diagnostics
Sheila Boss, PhD, FCACB Discipline Head, Biochemistry and IRL Laboratory Director, LifeLabs ON
The need for fasting presents a significant inconvenience to patients, is a challenge for some (particularly seniors, children and dia...
LifeLabs New Combined Cytology and HPV Requisition
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is widely used as an indicator of inflammation. The traditional Westergren method measures the rate at which red cells sediment in plasma over one hour, and ...
March
16,
2013
New Outpatient Laboratory Requisition
FECAL CALPROTECTIN – A NEW TEST FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF INTESTINAL INFLAMMATION
Kent Dooley, PhD Clinical Chemist, LifeLabs BC
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are conditions that present with chronic abdominal pa...
December
17,
2012
LifeLabs Introducing New Methodology for Hormones and Tumor Markers
What is changing and which tests will be affected?
As part of ongoing technology replacement planning, LifeLabs will be transferring analyses of a number of hormone and tumor marker tests from the Siemens Immulite chemiluminescence immunoassay analy...
September
12,
2012
New Outpatient Laboratory Requisition; Autoimmune Testing for BC Biomedical Branded Patient Service Centres
Thyroglobulin and anTi-Thyroglobulin: role in Thyroid disease TesTing
Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a glycoprotein synthesized by the thyrocytes and plays a key role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4. Its production is stimulated by TSH, intra...
July
19,
2012
Ontario Cervical Screening Program Changes
LifeLabs Moves Test Directory Online
Collection and reporting information at your fingertips
The online Test Information Directory features an easy-to-use search functionality, where you can enter in a test name or the first few letters of a test...
July
14,
2011
Causes of Discrepant Hemoglobin Results
Causes of DIsCrepant HemoglobIn results
At LifeLabs, we occasionally receive calls regarding discrepant hemoglobin results. The motivation for the call is often that our reported hemoglobin value is lower than that of another laboratory. Frequently ...
March
30,
2011
ECGs Provided At LifeLabs Patient Service Centres
GROWTH HORMONE METHOD UPDATE AND REFERENCE RANGE CHANGE
The growth hormone (GH) method used by LifeLabs has been re-standardized by the vendor to align with the preferred calibration process for this analyte using a recombinant 2nd international sta...
December
12,
2010
Announcement: Dr Virginia Walley, Medical Director, ON
OHIP LABORATORY REQUISITION CHANGES: VITAmIN D TESTING
Effective December 1, 2010 OHIP will change testing for 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D to an insured service for those meeting the eligibility criteria included on the OHIP requisition (osteopenia and ost...
August
1,
2010
The Skin Biopsy: When And How To Do It ; Laboratory Testing For Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
THE SKIN BIOPSY: WHEN AND HOW TO DO IT
This is the first of a two-part series on the skin biopsy and discusses clinical indications for analysis. Part 2, in the next issue of Inside Diagnostics, will describe correct collection process for skin biop...
THE ASA EFFECT TEST: LIfeLabs now offers a urine Test to Determine if a patient is receiving the beneficial effects of ASA
Up to a quarter of individuals who take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) may not benefit from its anti-clotting effect. In aspirintr...
HOLIDAY LABORATORY CLOSURES
Taking the time to provide advice to patients who require regular elective testing in anticipation of the holidays in December will facilitate management and possibly patient safety. It is inevitable that some patients wi...
April
18,
2009
Caution When Ordering Tests With The Same Name ; Laboratory Detection Of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae And Chlamydia Trachomatis
SCREENING PROGRAM REACHES ONE-YEAR MARK
The ColonCancerCheck (CCC) program is one-year-old! This is a free colon cancer detection program for Ontarians over 50 years sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Cancer Care Ontario that...
REVISED COMMUNITY LABORATORY GUIDELINE FOR REPORTING LABORATORY TEST RESULTS 2009
LifeLabs, together with other members of The Ontario Association of Medical Laboratories (OAML), adopted a common protocol for the communication of Expedited and ‘Cr...
September
18,
2008
Patients’ Access To Laboratory Results Under The Personal Health Information
Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)
Clostridium difficile associated disease has increased in frequency and severity throughout North America and Europe over the last 5 years. Strains of C.difficile producing toxins A and/or B are assoc...
July
10,
2008
Colon Cancer Check - Requisitions Required
REQUISITIONS REQUIRED
As you know primary screening of normal risk individuals using Fecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT) commenced in April 2008.
Most cards are mailed back to testing laboratories by participants, which represents a new model for Ont...
January
19,
2008
The Ontario Laboratory Information System (OLIS) ; Vitamin D Assessment – What Test Do I Order?
THE ONTARIO LABORATORY INFORMATION SYSTEM (OLIS)
On February 25, 2008 we will begin to copy test results to the Ontario Laboratory Information System (OLIS). We are proud that we have been selected as one of the initial community laboratories to par...
January
11,
2008
Neonatal Bilirubin; Neutropenia – What To Do?
NEONATAL BILIRUBIN
The updated Ontario MOHLTC Laboratory Requisition (OHIP) includes a new section specifically designed to capture information required to properly interpret and act upon bilirubin measurements in the newborn. Babies may be placed a...
May
27,
2020
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter - May 2020
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February
10,
2020
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter - February 2020
Topics in this edition:
INR Mobile Lab Service – Updated Testing Frequency
Health Care Providers Conference 2020: Registration Now Open!
Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Update
Clinical Pearls: Helpful Tips for Lab Testing and Interpretation—Fen...
November
20,
2019
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter - November 2019
Topics in this edition:
Changes to Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Testing
Critical Value Reporting
Thyroid Function Testing Protocol Updated
New Glucose Drinks for Glucose Tolerance Testing
C. difficile testing: Improving Specificity
He...
August
20,
2019
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter - August 2019
Topics in this edition:
Reducing Stigma and Improving Health Outcomes in Partnership with the BCCDC
Standard Outpatient Laboratory Requisition for Maternity Care
Clinical Pearl: Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Read Full Newslett...
May
14,
2019
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter - May 2019
Topics in this edition:
Chemistry Analyzer Implemented in Prince George
2019 Antibiogram Now Available
Flow Cytometry Request Requirements
Read Full Newsletter
February
11,
2019
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter - February 2019
Topics in this edition:
Biotin Interference in laboratory tests
Changes to Parasitology Testing Method
A Year in Review: MedSci at LifeLabs
Read Full Newsletter
November
26,
2018
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter November 2018
Topics in this edition:
LifeLabs 2017/2018 Community Report
Changes to Trichomonas vaginalis testing
Healthcare Providers Conference
Clinical Pearls: Helpful tips for lab test ordering and interpretation
Read Full Newsletter
June
21,
2018
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter - June 2018
Topics in this edition:
Health Care Providers’ Conference
2018 Antibiograms now available on our website
Helicobacter pylori stool Antigen
New Urine Drug Confirmation Assay
Discontinuation of Peritoneal Fluid for Cell Count
Hematology...
March
6,
2018
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter March 2018
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 chang...
December
2,
2017
December Newsletter
Swabs for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
The Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections have recently included self-collected vaginal swabs as an option for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing. A summary of swabs used for testing at Lifelabs is pro...
September
3,
2017
Healthcare Practitioners’ Survey
LifeLabs Healthcare Providers’ Conference
LifeLabs invites physicians, nurses and other healthcare practitioners to an intensive one day conference to better interface clinical practice with Lab Medicine. Through case-based examples and literature...
July
13,
2017
Anaerobic Transport Swabs
LifeLabs Healthcare Providers’ Conference
LifeLabs invites physicians, nurses and other healthcare practitioners to an intensive one day conference to better interface clinical practice with Lab Medicine. Through case-based examples and literature...
April
9,
2017
Hematology Testing & Critical Results
Hematology Testing & Critical Results
LifeLabs recently reached an important integration milestone in that all former BC Biomedical Patient Service Centres (PSCs) have now been converted to LifeLabs Medical Laboratories’ systems. Chemistry and...
October
22,
2016
BC Healthcare Providers' Newsletter
Patient Service Centre Conversion
Following many months of integration activities, we are now in the final phase of converting all BC Biomedical Patient Service Centres (PSCs) to LifeLabs systems and practices. This includes using one Lab Informatio...
June
3,
2016
BC Patient Service Centre Conversion
Face masks
One crucial way LifeLabs protects the health and well-being of its employees working at Patient Service Centres is to have infectious patients wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when visiting a LifeLabs location. It is e...
April
13,
2016
High Sensitivity Troponin T
High Sensitivity Troponin T
On May 16th 2016, Mainland LifeLabs will be implementing high sensitivity Troponin T testing (hsTnT) and discontinuing the previous Troponin I test (cTnI). This will align our testing with hospitals such as St Paul’s.
...
December
22,
2015
High Sensitivity Troponin T Comes to Victoria
Health Care Providers’ Newsletter ( Vancouver Island Edition December 2015 )
On January 4th 2016, LifeLabs in Victoria will be implementing high sensitivity Troponin T testing (hsTNT) and discontinuing the previous Troponin I test (cTnI). While th...
November
15,
2015
BC Healthcare Provider Satisfaction Survey Outcomes
Improved Trichomonas Test
Trichomonas testing from patients with vaginitis will be changing for clients served by the former BC Biomedical lab in Surrey. The new method (‘Trich OSOM’) has been used for several years at both the Victoria and Burn...
September
25,
2015
Pseudohyperkalemia By Drs. Cheryl Tomalty and Jan Palaty, Clinical Biochemists Health
Have you ever been called by LifeLabs with a patient’s critical potassium that is normal following a repeat at a hospital?
This phenomenon, pseudohyperkalemia, is defined as a spuriously high potassium result in the absence of visible sample hemol...
May
15,
2015
Identification of Patient Specimens
Physicians’ Newsletter
Communication of Critical Lab Test Results
A recent communique from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (March/April 2015, Vol. 3, #2) reminded its members that “the provision of after-hours coverage is a profess...
March
13,
2015
D-Dimer
D-Dimer
D-Dimer (DD) is the final degradation product of fibrin by plasmin. Its presence indicates that thrombosis has occurred i.e. activation of clotting, fibrin formation, fibrin stabilization by factor-XIIIa and finally fibrin degradation by pla...
November
3,
2014
Non-fasting Lipids
Chemistry Specimen Retention
There are arguments in the literature both for and against the use of fasting samples for lipid levels. Some groups suggest non-fasting specimens may actually be better at predicting cardiac risk and making therapeutic d...
June
15,
2014
Physicians’ Lab Update / Newsletter
New Outpatient Laboratory Requisition
A new outpatient lab requisition form will be distributed to physicians starting in June 2014. Below are the new requisitions for LifeLabs and BC Biomedical with the highlights of the changes indicated.
Le...
May
22,
2014
Update on Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
Sample Stability and Reporting
Sample stability studies have shown that FIT samples are stable up to 14 days after collection if they are refrigerated, and will consistently produce valid results during that time frame. In future, FIT samples will b...
Physicians’ Lab Update / Newsletter
LifeLabs is pleased to announce reporting of immature granulocyte (IG) count as part of the automated 6-part white blood cell differential. The IG count adds additional value to our previous 5-part differential ...
October
9,
2013
LifeLabs Now Offers Panorama™ NIPT
What is a Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT)?
Non-invasive prenatal testing is a new, highly accurate screen for specific chromosome abnormalities like trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), and monoso...
August
31,
2013
Semen Analysis Terminology Change
Physicians’ Lab Update / Newsletter
In compliance with the World Health Organization’s 5th Edition procedure for Semen Analysis, LifeLabs will be changing the terminology used when reporting the number of sperms present. Sperm Count will be repl...
July
16,
2013
Vitamin D – Are Your Patients Getting Enough?
Vitamins and changes
Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate. It plays an essential role in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Moreover, there is an increasing body...
New Molecular Testing
Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) methods directly applicable to stool specimens have recently become available, and these tests offer improved accuracy and turn-around-time compared to older methods. The new NAAT to be...
To Scope or Not to Scope
Aside from negatively impacting the quality of life, IBS is relatively benign. It does not lead to any permanent structural damage to the intestines. Dietary and lifestyle changes can usually alleviate the symptoms of this d...
March
7,
2012
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
Update and Introduction of Free Retests for Borderline Results
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended every 1-2 years for individuals 50-75 years old with no known risk factors. LifeLabs offers the FIT screen, requiring only a single patient...
February
17,
2012
NEW CBC Parameters
Physicians’ Lab Update
Our Hematology Department is pleased to announce the availability of two new Complete Blood Count indices:
1)Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF)
IPF may also be referred to in the literature as reticulated platelets.
...
December
16,
2011
Post-Vasectomy Reporting of Semen Analysis
Post-Vasectomy Reporting
We have reviewed our procedure and reporting for post-vasectomy samples. After consulting the experts in the field and reviewing the literature we concluded the following:
It is recommended that 100,000 or fewer non-moti...
November
3,
2011
NEW Stool Collection Vials
Dexamethasone Suppression Test CHANGES
As of December 12, 2011, LifeLabs will no longer dispense Dexamethasone tablets for the Dexamethasone Suppression Test. The ordering physician will now have to write a prescription for Dexamethasone which has t...
May
29,
2011
2011 Antibiogram Editions now available
The 2011 Antibiogram Editions for the Mainland and Vancouver Island are now available
Antibiograms have been distributed to physicians’ offices and clinics; however, if you have not yet received a copy, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-431-720...
January
3,
2011
NEW NAME for Physicians’ Newsletter!
The New Name is: PHYSICIANS’ LAB UPDATE
At LifeLabs, we as pathologists see it as a very important component of our service to keep you, our colleagues, informed about the latest news on the lab front. The Physicians’ Newsletter has enabled u...
November
24,
2010
MSP Fee Schedule Changes due to New Lab Funding Agreement
Mainland Physicians’ Newsletter
As a result of the new Lab Funding Agreement, several significant changes were made to the Medical Services Plan (MSP) fee schedule. The changes have been in effect since October 1, 2010 and are summarized in the ta...
November
3,
2010
Vancouver Island Physicians’ Newsletter
MSP Fee Schedule Changes due to New Lab Funding Agreement
As a result of the new Lab Funding Agreement, several significant changes were made to the Medical Services Plan (MSP) fee schedule. The changes have been in effect since October 1, 2010 and ...
Improving Urine Culture Results
Two steps are critical to reduce this normal flora problem. Step 1: Proper urine specimen collection & Step 2: Proper urine specimen transport to the laboratory. The clean catch, mid-stream collection procedure is...
October
1,
2010
Mainland Physicians’ Newsletter
Improving Urine Culture Results
Urine cultures are the most frequently ordered microbiology tests, reflecting the fact that urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common. Urine cultures are essential for accurate identification of UTI pathogens be...
September
25,
2010
Mainland Physicians’ Newsletter Quality Accreditation
LifeLabs Earns ISO 15189 Quality Accreditation
Quality of service and quality of care are important to all of us at LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services. It is through our quality processes that physicians and patients can have confidence in our con...
September
25,
2010
Vancouver Island Physicians’ Newsletter Quality Accreditation
LifeLabs Earns ISO 15189 Quality Accreditation
Quality of service and quality of care are important to all of us at LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services. It is through our quality processes that physicians and patients can have confidence in our con...
March
15,
2010
Mainland - TSH results of samples
Dr. Q’s Questions for March
1. Why are TSH results of samples taken a few weeks apart seemingly discrepant?
TSH exhibits not only pulsatile secretion with an amplitude of about 1 mU/L, but a modest circadian pattern with a nadir in the mid-afte...
March
15,
2010
Vancouver Island - TSH results of samples
Dr. Q’s Questions for March
1. Why are TSH results of samples taken a few weeks apart seemingly discrepant?
TSH exhibits not only pulsatile secretion with an amplitude of about 1 mU/L, but a modest circadian pattern with a nadir in the mid-afte...
December
27,
2009
Vancouver Island Physicians’ Newsletter NEW Trichomonas test
NEW Trichomonas test
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in North America, and is associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission in women. TV causes vaginitis in women...
December
27,
2009
Mainland Physicians’ Newsletter NEW Trichomonas test
NEW Trichomonas test
Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in North America, and is associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition and transmission in women. TV causes vaginitis in women...
Performance of the APTIMA assay
The accuracy of the Gen-Probe APTIMA system in published studies is in the range of 98–100%, but we performed our own validation of the APTIMA system to insure good performance for testing of BC patients. Cooperatin...
Performance of the APTIMA assay
The accuracy of the Gen-Probe APTIMA system in published studies is in the range of 98–100%, but we performed our own validation of the APTIMA system to insure good performance for testing of BC patients. Cooperatin...
Ordering Lab tests not listed on the requisition form
If you want to order a lab test that is not listed on the requisition form e.g. Malaria screen, please ensure that you write the specific test on the requisition form under Additional Tests / Ins...
Ordering Lab tests not listed on the requisition form
If you want to order a lab test that is not listed on the requisition form e.g. Malaria screen, please ensure that you write the specific test on the requisition form under Additional Tests / Ins...
