August 15, 2023

The August 2023 test bulletin provides updates on various testing protocols. Notably, Quest Diagnostics will no longer accept Sodium Heparin tan-top tubes for Zinc Protoporphyrin (ZPP) testing, while tan-top EDTA tubes remain acceptable. Additionally, SRP Autoantibodies testing will be discontinued by Quest, with replacement assays ordered using the Uncoded Miscellaneous test code. Alverno Laboratories has ceased accepting plasma specimens for qualitative CMV measurement by PCR and requests switching to pierceable caps for respiratory virus testing. Lastly, there's a transition to Quest Diagnostics for non-respiratory viral culture testing, with detailed instructions on acceptable specimen types and alternative tests provided.