September 11, 2020

Alverno Laboratories has introduced new Antinuclear Antibody testing panels and updated report formatting, offering two methodologies: Multiplex Flow Immunoassay or Immunofluorescence Assay, with ANA testing intended for diagnostic use only. They've also changed the urine culture organism identification protocol, no longer differentiating E. coli from Shigella species in urinary isolates unless clinically indicated, aligning with CAP recommendations. Additionally, they now require plasma only for BTNP specimens due to analyte stability concerns and have discontinued accepting whole blood specimens. Moreover, effective October 1, 2020, Alverno has ceased offering a printable order form for supply ordering on their website, transitioning to the use of the online order form exclusively.