Fetal Fibronectin
Fetal Fibronectin testing is now available through the laboratory at Rumford Hospital. Fetal fibronectin is useful in assessing the risk of preterm delivery in women who are 22-35 weeks pregnant. There is a greater than 99% chance that delivery will not occur within two weeks of a negative test for Fetal Fibronectin.
Fetal Fibronectin is measured from a vaginal swab specimen collected prior to digital examination or manipulation of the cervix. The specimen can be tested immediately, or a refrigerated specimen can be tested within 3 days of collection.
If you think your practice may use Fetal Fibronectin testing, your staff will require a short course in proper specimen collection. Please contact Michael Eng, M.D. at 795-2338 to arrange training and delivery of specimen collection materials.
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CMMC Laboratory Goes Online
Central Maine Medical Center's Laboratory, assisted by the CMMC Communications Department, has developed an online informational resource for CMMC's laboratory scientists and those who use their services.
The website features a extensive Laboratory Test Info database and provides clinicians with essential information about the many services offered by the CMMC Lab, including a General Information section, specific instructions regarding Specimen/Collection, and a Contact Us directory.
Questions/comments about CMMC Laboratory services should be addressed to CMMC's laboratory director at 795-2330.
Questions/comments about the website's content should be directed to Matt Twomey at 795-2330.
Questions/comments about the function of the website should be directed to Darlene Ryder at 795-2196 or darlene@cmmc.org
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VAP Cholesterol Panel
Now orderable
The VAP Cholesterol Panel is orderable. Mnemonic is: VAP CHOL
This should not be ordered in conjunction with a Coronary Risk Panel.
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Cord Blood Gases
New Orderable for Cord Blood Gases
A new orderable group test for cord blood gases has been added to the order entry system. The group includes: pH, pCO2, pO2 and Base Excess. It is listed as Blood Gas, Cord on Millennium and will soon be incorporated into the newborn Caresets.
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Greiner Tube Conversion Chart
To download the Greiner Tube Conversion Chart click here.
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Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio
Procedural Change
RANDOM URINE MICROALBUMIN/CREATININE RATIO:
As of Tuesday, June 26, 2007, we will discontinue screening samples for macroalbuminuria with a "dipstick" procedure. As of this date, all urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio determinations will be analyzed directly on the chemistry system without prescreening. If a sample demonstrates an albumin concentration > 18 mg/dL, the following footnote will be appended to the result:
ADDITIONAL FOOTNOTE INFORMATION FOR URINE MICROALBUMIN/CREATININE RATIO:
The absolute albumin concentration on this random urine sample exceeds 18 mg/dL which suggests that macroalbuminuria is present in this sample. Therefore, a microalbumin determination may not be appropriate. A 24-hour urine collection for quantitative protein excretion is suggested if clinically indicated.
Sample Processing Note: Please note that samples submitted from remote sites should be poured off into a leakproof sample transport tube with an appropriate barcoded accession label.
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Autoverification Presentation
CMMC staff present at fall conference.
Matt Twomey, LIS Manager at CMMC, delivered a presentation at the annual fall Northeast Laboratory Conference in Portland, Maine. The presentation described the CMMC lab introduction of autoverification using the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Fusion 5,1 chemistry system and the Sysmex Alpha hematology system.
To download a copy of the presentation, click this link.
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CMMC Donor Center Presentation
CMMC staff present at fall conference.
Johanna Ward, Transfusion Services Manager at CMMC, delivered a presentation at the annual fall Northeast Laboratory Conference in Portland, Maine. The presentation described "A Collaboration between The American Red Cross and Central Maine Medical Center" to establish a Blood Donation Center.
To download a copy of the presentation, click this link.
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Creatinine Decimal Precision
Rounding to tenths
As of November 11, 2007, we have changed the decimal precision for serum creatinine from hundredths back to tenths.
Background Information: In September, 2007, we changed serum creatinine to report to hundredths in an effort to reduce the error that rounding introduces in the eGFR equation. Soon after making this change, we received a number of comments from providers that this made the review of creatinine data more difficult and that the added precision in the creatinine was of limited clinical value. After weighing all of the pros and cons in the issue, we have decided to return the creatinine decimal precision back to tenths. Reference ranges will be rounded accordingly.
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Mumps Outbreak in Maine
Advisory - Important Information
The Maine CDC has announced a mumps outbreak in Southern and Central Maine. These confirmed cases are the first confirmed cases in Maine in over a decade. Maine CDC is advising physicians to be on the lookout for mumps symptoms and to collect samples for laboratory testing. Oral swabs for Mumps RT-PCR AND serum for Mumps IgM antibody should be submitted for testing. Sample collection instructions may be found on our website: Mumps Outbreak Alert 11-20-07 .
Follow this link Maine CDC Health Alert Network System (HAN) for more information from the Maine CDC.
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Chemistry Reference Ranges
Changes effective Dec 17, 2007
On Monday, December 17, 2007, several reference ranges for commonly ordered tests will be changed. This change is based on a "Normal Study" that was perfomed at CMMC. To view the list of changes, click this link.
Please feel free to contact a member of the pathology team if you have any questions on this.
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Rubella Test Change
Effective February 25, 2008
Rubella Antibody, IgG for immune status determination will change slightly due to a methodology change and updated testing guidelines. The qualitative result classifications will now be either: Negative, Low Positive or Positive. Our previous method identified an "Indeterminate" category for Rubella Antibody levels between 5-10 IU/mL. Results in this category will now be qualitatively classified as negative for immunity.
INTERPRETIVE INFORMATION FOR RUBELLA ANTIBODY, IGG will be as follows on test reports:
Negative - Less than 10 IU/mL - Patient is presumed to be not immune to Rubella infection.
Low Positive - Between 10 and 14.9 IU/mL - Antibody levels >/= 10.0 IU/mL are considered to be an indication of Rubella immunity.
Positive - Greater than/equal 15 IU/mL - Antibody levels >/= 10.0 IU/mL are considered to be an indication of Rubella immunity.
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Semen Analysis Changes
As of April 28, 2008, the CMMC Laboratory will no longer be performing the Semen Analysis Procedure.
The Central Maine Fertility Center at 287 Main St., Suite 201, in Lewiston will continue to perform this analysis. We recommend that patients in need of this procedure, call the fertility coordinator, Louise Michaud, at the Fertility Center at 795-7180 or 795-5787 or toll free at 800-978-0315 to schedule an appointment.
Please be advised that an appointment must be made before any specimen for analysis is collected and delivered to the Fertility Center. Specimens that arrive without an appointment will not be tested.
The CMMC laboratory will continue to evaluate post vasectomy specimens for the presence of sperm.
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A Tribute to Our Volunteers
Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who cheerfully help us out in the laboratory. Your dedication and commitment to our organization is heart-warming! Even when the snow is deep and the weather doesn't cooperate, you folks are always here to help. We appreciate that!
To all the volunteers who help deliver lab samples - Thank you!
To Richard and Herb who file slides in histology - Thank you!
To Matt for all the help with the website - Thank you!
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