February 2021 Test Bulletin

February 5, 2021

Alverno Laboratories has made significant updates and announcements affecting practice, including a potassium reference range update to accommodate serum and plasma sample collections, the introduction of a specialized hepatitis panel for immunosuppressive therapy candidates and recipients, and awareness of coagulation therapy effects on aPTT assays, particularly with the influence of emicizumab and other therapeutics. Additionally, the Microbiology Department is adopting new MIC breakpoints for Meropenem, Daptomycin, Aztreonam, and Cephalosporins, alongside automated yeast susceptibility testing for Candida species, aimed at reducing turnaround time by 24 hours. These changes are crucial for ensuring accurate testing and appropriate patient management.