Alverno Laboratories
Clinical Test Bulletins

Test Bulletin

Dear Healthcare Provider,
The information contained here may be very important to your practice. Please take a moment to review this document.

RAPID GROUP A STREP SCREEN COLLECTION UPDATE

March 19, 2019
Group A Beta Streptococcus specimen collection has been standardized to provide the best patient care. The Copan dual swab provides one-time collection for both rapid kit testing and reflex culture when the rapid result is negative. The green rayon swab is for rapid testing and the white foam tip is for the culture reflex.

Rapid Group A Strep Collection Device PPM# 171956

HOW DO I COLLECT A SPECIMEN WITH DUAL ESWABTM©

  • Put on gloves.
  • Open the peel pouch.
  • Remove the swabs. To prevent contamination, avoid touching the shaft above the pink molded breakpoin
  • Collect the patient sample with the swab.
  • Remove the cap from the ESwab tube and insert the WHITE FLOCKED swab all the way to the bottom of the tube.
  • Holding the swab close to the rim of the tube and keeping the tube away from your face, break the shaft at the pink breakpoint line.
  • Screw the cap on tightly to prevent leaking.
  • Dispose of the remainder of the sha
  • Perform rapid group A strep test using the GREEN RAYON swab.
  • If test is negative, then place the ESwab tube in a specimen biohazard bag – place any requisition in the side pouch and send to lab for reflex testing.

HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA – ANTIBODY ASSAY UPDATE

March 19, 2019
Alverno Laboratories is pleased to announce that we will be switching platforms for Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibody testing to provide more on-demand testing capability. The HIT antibody assay on the ACL TOP detects anti- Platelet Factor 4-heparin (anti-PF4-H) antibodies, which are the most clinically significant antibodies in patients with HIT. The new assay will be reported qualitatively and the positive or negative result should be used with other information, including clinical context. The assay will continue to be available with and without Serotonin Release Assay (SRA) confirmation testing. It should be noted that a positive HIT result may indicate the presence of heparin-associated antibodies but does not confirm the diagnosis of HIT, as some patients may have naturally occurring antibodies to PF4. Please see ordering information below.

Specimen Requirements
Specimen: 2.0 mL of Sodium Citrate plasma Stability: Frozen up to two freeze/thaw cycles
Cause for Rejection
Clotted, insufficient quantity, severely hemolyzed
Method
Immunoturbidimetric
Reference Range
Negative
Availability
Batched three times daily. STAT testing is available.
SOFT codes
HITAB – Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia AB HITRS – HIT AB. w/reflex to SRA