Fletcher Allen Communiques

July 2008 Laboratory Communique

Posted: June 2008

Lab Operations
Patient Service Center Hours
Mayo Pediatric Book
New Paper for Lab reports
From the Lab Bench
Getting Samples Ready for the Lab
Test News
Buprenorphine Test Change
Celiac disease Testing
Cortisol Stim. Test vs ACTH Quatification
Compliance Update
New ABN Form on Horizon

April 2008 Laboratory Communique`

Posted: April 2008

Laboratory Operations
Blood Collection Device Change
Provider On-Call Changes
Test News
Amniotic Fluid AFP Reporting
Insulin Reference Range Update
Hepatitis B Viral DNA Assay
A1c Reference Range Update
Cessation of LAP Testing
Change in Reference Lab: HIT
Compliance Update
Update on Medicare LCDs:
BNP Testing
hsCRP Testing
Update on Reflex Testing Policy:
Cytogenetic Testing On Soft Tissue And Bone Tumors

January 2008 Laboratory Communique

Posted: January 2008

January  2008 Laboratory Communiqué
Holiday Phlebotomy Hours
Phlebotomy cards

Test News
Poly stat® Mono Test
Testing for Vitamin D

Compliance Update
New LCD’s
    Sed Rate
    Homocysteine
    Acid Phosphatase; Total  & Prostatic
Plasma vs Serum Glucose

Attachments: Test Updates
Cystic Fibrosis Gene Mutation
Factor V Leiden Mutation
Prothrombin G20210A Mutation
Genetic Informed Consent Form

October 2007 Laboratory Communique

Posted: October 2007

Phlebotomy Hours
Welcome Medical Examiner
Welcome New Client Relations Specialist
Blood Bank Sample Schedule
New Technology: PCR
   Group B Strep
   MRSA SusceptibilityTesting
Test Utilization Review: Coagulation Testing
Lyme TestingSpecimen Requirements:
   Immunodefi ciency Panel
   IP B+K
   Renal Transplant Marker
Creatinine Standardization
Hepatitis C Virus
RNASickledex Test Reflex
Water Test Schedule Change
Peripheral Smear Reflex
Telephone Orders

July, 2007 Laboratory Communique

Posted: July 2007

Survey: Tell Us What you Think
Summer Holiday Hours
Positive HIV Confi rmations
Pathology Hot Seat
2-Patient Identifiers
Preop Blood Bank Form
Blood Bank Form Filled-out
CPT Code Change
Lead Note
RBC Porphyrin Screen
Reflex SPEP & UPEP
A/G Ratio
VMA ChangeSpina Bifida Algorithm
Tissue Typing Notes
Absolute CD 4 Reporting
GC & Chlamydia Change
Cryptosporidium/Microsporisium Ordering

April 2007 Laboratory Communique`

Posted: April 2007

Laboratory Requisition Changes
Tubes Without Orders
Top Ten Tests
Fasting Labs
Report Printing Change
Temperature Control
Blood Cultures
Summer Holiday Hours

Test News
Critical Value For Creatinine
HIV Update
Giardia & CryptoSporidium
Discontinued Ham’s Test
Factor Assay Reference Ranges
Schedule Change LAPS
CPT Code Updates

Compliance Update
Collection Date Errors
Coding Updates
Fecal Occult Blood CPT Changes

Test Update Attachments
Storage Temperature Change
H.pylori by Immunohistochemistry
Toponin 1 Ultra
HER2 Reflex Criteria Change

Autumn 2006

Posted: November 2006

Holiday Phlebotomy Hours
Medical Directorship changes in Anatomic Pathology
HIV Consent Forms
Not your Typical “Critical Value”
New Pour Off Transfer Tubes

COMPLIANCE UPDATE
Coding Issues

TEST NEWS
          Alcohol Screen Name Change
          DHEAS Reference Range Update
          Homocysteine Sample Requirements
          Urine Total Protein and Creatinine Requests
          Viscosity Testing Sample Change
          Delta OD Change

July 2006

Posted: July 2006

COMPLIANCE UPDATE
   Colorectal Cancer Screening
Holiday Draw Site Hours
Scheduled Tests
Pre-Surgery Blood Bank Orders
FNA Consult Service
TEST NEWS
   Test Schedule Change
   Neonatal Critical Calcium
   Urine Cortisol
   Heparin Level UFH
   Aldosterone
   Biontinidase
   istoplasma Ab
   West Nile AB IgG &IgM
   GFR Calculated Using MDRD
   Electrophoresis Quant. Measurement Change
FROM THE LAB BENCH
   Tube Draw Order
TEST UPDATES

April 2006

Posted: March 2006

Memorial Day Holiday Hours
Phlebotomy Hours
Laboratory Compliance
        Preop Exams Require Additional Codes
          Coding for Prostate Cancer Screening
          Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing
Effects of Hemolysis
Alkaline Phosphatase and Hemolysis
50/50 Mixing Studies
LAP Sample Requirements
Subscribers DOB
Reference Range Updates
Lab Professional Week
Informed Consent For Genetic Testing
PTH requirements
Centromere Antibody Change