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Our patient service centers will have modified hours for the upcoming holiday. All locations will be closed on December 24th and 25th.

Clinical Test Bulletins

2025

December 2025 Test Bulletin

Beginning December 15, 2025, Alverno Laboratories will resume performing NT-proBNP testing at its Central Laboratory, which will help reduce turnaround time for results. Specimen requirements and transport temperature remain unchanged. The only modification is the ordering code, which is switching from PBNP to NTBNP. Healthcare providers should update their ordering processes to reflect this change.
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October/November 2025 Test Bulletin

The November 2025 Test Bulletin from Alverno Laboratories announces updates to several diagnostic tests. Testosterone Free, Calculation testing now requires two red-top serum tubes combined into one refrigerated transport tube. The Microsporidia Exam has been reclassified under a new interfaced Soft code (MICSP) with no specimen changes. Additionally, Cystic Fibrosis Sputum Cultures will now be referred to Mayo Clinic Laboratories, with strict collection and delivery requirements due to limited specimen stability.
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September 2025 Test Bulletin

The September Test Bulletin by Alverno Laboratories announced several important testing updates. Urine specimens for catecholamine testing must now be frozen immediately after collection and sent frozen to the Central Laboratory. For aluminum blood testing, discard tubes are no longer required, and serum or plasma must be poured into a metal-free vial since royal blue-top tubes will no longer be accepted. Ordering of the STRATIFY JCV® DxSelect Antibody with Reflex to Inhibition test now requires providers to indicate if the patient is receiving natalizumab therapy. Additionally, Allergen Profile 51 testing now requires three full 7mL gold-top tubes to reduce insufficient specimen rejections, and Quest Diagnostics has discontinued several tests, with replacements available for Anti-PM/Scl-100 Ab and MGMT Promoter Methylation, but no replacement for CEA testing on pancreatic cyst fluid.
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Blood Culture Collection: Procedure Change

Alverno Laboratories is instituting a procedure change for Blood Culture collection to align with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations regarding the timing of specimen collections for Blood Culture. If more than one Blood Culture is ordered concurrently by the provider, please ensure that: Both sets of Blood Cultures are drawn at the same time from two separate venipunctures performed at two different anatomical sites, using two separate needles. Do NOT collect two sets of Blood Cultures from one venipuncture.
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July 2025 Test Bulletin

The July 2025 Alverno Laboratories Test Bulletin outlines several key updates. The Soft code for *Mycoplasma hominis/Ureaplasma* Culture has changed from URMHC to MHURC, with no alterations to specimen requirements. Multiple Quest Diagnostics tests have been discontinued and replaced with uncoded Quest referred alternatives, including those related to HLA-B 1502, Narcolepsy HLA-QDB1, and Oxalate testing. Additionally, due to a reagent discontinuation, Alverno will now refer all T3 Uptake testing to Quest Diagnostics, though specimen handling remains unchanged. Lastly, beginning July 21, 2025, Alverno will transition HPV PCR testing to the Abbott Alinity m platform, which will identify 14 high-risk HPV genotypes and provide enhanced differentiation for HPV16, HPV18, HPV45, and others, while maintaining current collection and transport procedures.
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July 2025 Test Bulletin

The July 2025 edition of the Alverno Laboratories Test Bulletin includes several important updates. The soft code for Mycoplasma hominis/Ureaplasma Culture has changed from URMHC to MHURC, effective June 30, 2025, with no changes to specimen type, source, or transport requirements. Several Quest Diagnostics tests have been discontinued, including HLA-B 1502, Narcolepsy HLA-QDB1, and Oxalate Serum/Plasma tests; replacements must now be ordered as UNCMS and include updated specimen collection guidelines. T3 Uptake testing will now be permanently referred to Quest Diagnostics due to the manufacturer discontinuing the reagent. While the performing lab has changed, the Soft code, specimen type, and transport temperature remain the same. Finally, Alverno Laboratories is transitioning HPV PCR testing to the Abbott Alinity m platform effective July 21, 2025. This new qualitative assay will differentiate HPV16, HPV18, and HPV45, and group additional high-risk genotypes into “Other A” and “Other B.” Specimen collection and transport procedures are unchanged.
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May 2025 Test Bulletin

Alverno Laboratories announces important updates effective May 2025. Beta-2 Transferrin body fluid testing is now available under Soft code BETT. Hepatitis C genotype testing will require a minimum concurrent viral load of ≥ 2,000 IU/mL starting May 19, 2025. Allergen panels that include Total IgE no longer require a separate IgE order. The Hepatitis Acute Panel (FRHEP) will be discontinued; providers should instead order HEPAC and HBSAB together. Additionally, HPV PCR testing will transition to the Abbott Alinity m platform in June 2025, enhancing genotype differentiation.
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April 2025 Test Bulletin

Alverno Laboratories has announced key test updates for April 2025. Quest Diagnostics has discontinued four tests—Adenovirus Antibody, Influenza A and B Antibodies, Influenza Type B Antibody, and the Myocarditis/Pericarditis Panel—with no alternatives available. Effective April 14, BK Virus and Epstein-Barr Virus PCR testing will change units from copies/mL to IU/mL, and specimen requirements will be updated. Complement, Total (CH50) frozen stability will decrease from 30 to 7 days. Yeast susceptibility testing will now be done in-house at Alverno, improving turnaround time to 48 hours. Starting April 21, Quest will no longer accept unpreserved specimens for CMV Rapid Culture; non-bone marrow samples must be collected in VCM.
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Q1 2025 Alverno Test Bulletin

Alverno Laboratories has announced several important updates in Q1 2025 concerning tests performed by Quest Diagnostics. Effective December 23, 2024, Myoglobin, Urine now requires specimens to be submitted in specialized myoglobin urine transport tubes, available through the Supply Request Form on AlvernoLabs.com. For Soluble Transferrin Receptor, plasma collected in EDTA (lavender-top) tubes is no longer accepted; instead, serum in SST tubes or plasma in sodium/lithium heparin (green-top) tubes should be used. Additionally, as of January 13, 2025, Quest Diagnostics will discontinue individual anti-fungal susceptibility tests for yeast, recommending a comprehensive yeast susceptibility panel as the alternative. In February 2025, further updates include the discontinuation of the Toxicology Urine Drug Testing (Quest 91359) in favor of Quest test 11877, a change in specimen requirements for Lead, Whole Blood to a 3 mL Royal Blue Trace Element K2 EDTA tube, and modifications to the Influenza A and B Culture, Rapid Method and Viral Respiratory, Rapid Culture with Reflex tests regarding ordering and specimen collection.
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March 2025 Test Bulletin

Alverno Laboratories has issued important updates in March 2025 regarding several tests. The BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Gastrointestinal Panel now shows an increased incidence of false positive Norovirus GI/GII results; providers should verify suspected cases using the Norovirus 1 & 2 PCR test. Additionally, the HIV-1 Viral Load by PCR test carries extended limitations for patients who have received gene therapies using HIV-1 based lentiviral vectors, and it should not be used for screening. The Legionella Antigen Urine test is now restricted to patients 21 years and older, and for Type & Screen Follow-Up Testing, patients with a positive antibody screen should be referred directly to their local hospital. Finally, online supply ordering will be available via the Client Community portal beginning in early March.
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2024

May 2024 Test Bulletin

The May 2024 Test Bulletin from Alverno Laboratories includes several important updates. The Extended Urine Drug Confirmation Panel has been updated, and detailed information is available on page 2. Alverno Laboratories is also excited to announce the launch of a new and improved website designed for ease of use and navigation, with features like a 'fast topic' menu, a 'super' menu dropdown for healthcare professionals, and an emergency alert section. Additionally, a new test for Prion Disease, 14-3-3 Protein, CSF, is now available in Soft Lab and Atlas LIS systems. At the same time, certain COVID-related tests will be discontinued, replaced by more specific tests for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. There is also an update to the reference range for Methylmalonic Acid testing effective June 24, 2024, and changes to acceptable specimen types for several tests, ensuring greater flexibility and accuracy in diagnostic procedures.
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April 2024 Test Bulletin

We have introduced new tests such as the Encephalitis Antibody Panel and the Comprehensive Chronic Urticaria Panel, while discontinuing certain offerings like the Fetal Fibronectin test, directing clinicians to local hospital resources instead. Additionally, updates include the transition of molecular testing for STIs to new platforms and the discontinuation of the JAK2 V617F Cascading Reflex test, replaced by a more comprehensive myeloproliferative neoplasms diagnostic panel.
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March 2024 Test Bulletin

Alverno's March 2024 Test Bulletin highlights crucial updates for healthcare providers. Included are new STI specimen collection guidelines, Quest test offerings, MIC breakpoints updates, and Hemoglobin A1C testing frequency adjustments. These updates aim to enhance testing efficiency and align with recent CMS coverage expansions for better patient care and management.
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February 2024 Test Bulletin

Alverno's February 2024 Test Bulletin delivers essential updates for healthcare providers. Included are enhancements to the Client Community interface, an automated process for Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody testing, updates to Catecholamines Plasma testing, and discontinuation of certain Quest tests. Additionally, Alverno introduces Polymedco’s FIT, an automated CRC screening tool, aiming to increase screening rates via targeted patient outreach and partnerships with healthcare organizations like Ascension Health Medical Group and BCBS.
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January 2024 Test Bulletin

Alverno's January 2024 Test Bulletin provides crucial updates for healthcare providers. It announces the suspension of quantitative reporting for Midazolam and Doxepin metabolites, issues with the Platelet Antibody IgG test, discontinuation of certain Quest tests, transition of STI testing to the Abbott Alinity m platform, and updates to Quest specimen stability. These changes aim to ensure testing accuracy, improve specimen collection, and maintain quality standards for patient care.
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