2013 Archive

Posted January 7, 2013

This will take effect January 7, 2013

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Posted February 1, 2013

This will take effect January 28, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective January 28, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Fibrinogen and Factor VIII Activity.  Fibrinogen is a coagulation factor (Factor I) produced by the liver, and is essential for blood clot formation.  Low levels of fibrinogen are associated with bleeding commonly secondary to liver disease or Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).  Fibrinogen is an acute phase reactant and elevated levels may be associated with inflammation.  Increased concentrations are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis.

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Posted

This will take effect February 4, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective February 4, 2013 PathGroup will implement ImmunoCAP allergy testing on the Phadia 250. ImmunoCAP specific IgE is an in vitro quantitative assay which measures the concentration of circulating allergen specific IgE in human serum or plasma samples. It is intended for in vitro diagnostic use as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of IgE mediated allergic disorders in conjunction with other clinical findings.

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Posted March 26, 2013

This will take effect March 28, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective March 28, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for 1,5 Anhydroglucitol (GlycoMark®). GlycoMark® is a newly FDA approved blood test which measures 1,5 anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), a glucose analogue in serum or EDTA plasma, for the intermediate-term monitoring of glycemic control in individuals with diabetes.

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Posted April 19, 2013

This will take effect April 22, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

PathGroup is now reporting BCR/ABL [t(9:22)(q34;q11)] for confirmed CML patients on the International Scale (IS) of measurement. The efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) is routinely monitored with serial PCR analysis of BCR/ABL fusion gene expression. The National Comprehensive Care Network goal of therapy is achievement of a “major molecular response” (MMR), defined as a 3-log reduction in BCR/ABL to ABL fusion product. MMR is associated with excellent progression free survival.

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For non-CML patients, click Here to read more.

Posted May 6, 2013

This will take effect May 6, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective May 6, 2013, PathGroup will implement the QuantiFERON®-TB (QFT) Gold in-house test. The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube assay is an innovative whole-blood test that measures the cell-mediated immune response of tuberculosis (TB) infected individuals.

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Posted May 13, 2013

This will take effect May 13, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

PathGroup is now performing HPV Genotyping using the APTIMA HPV 16 18/45 assay by GenProbe. Genotyping will be performed upon client request based on an “HPV Positive – HIGH Risk” result. PathGroup’s HPV Genotyping is a qualitative assay for the three most common HPV genotypes (16, 18 and 45) – associated with approximately 80% of all invasive cervical cancers. This assay allows for rapid risk stratification and is ASCCP recommended for patients who are HPV positive high risk via DNA testing.

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Posted June 5, 2013

This will take effect July 1, 2013

PathGroup is pleased to release enhancements to the barcoding of labels from the PathConnect Application. This development will provide PathGroup with the ability to barcode specimen in your office, while associating specified testing to predetermined tube selections. These changes will improve efficiencies in clinical lab operations.

Beginning the week of June 10, 2013 and continuing through the month of June, PathGroup territory account manager will be reaching out to you to provide training and review of these system changes.

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Posted June 28, 2013

This will take effect June 29, 2013

PathGroup is releasing enhancements to the PathConnect application effective July 1, 2013. To minimize disruption to your daily operations, we will be migrating from the old PathConnect platform to the new platform on Saturday, June 29, 2013, between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. CT. During this time you may experience an interruption in PathConnect service. We expect the transition to move quickly and it is likely you will not experience any downtime to your daily workflow.

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Posted October 21, 2013

This will take effect October 21, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective October 21, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Beta-2-Microglobulin (B2M) Serum.  B2M is a low molecular weight protein found on the surface of most nucleated cells.  It forms the light chain component of the histocompatibility antigen and is eliminated via the kidneys. However, this is markedly increased in tubulo-interstitial disorders.  Raised serum levels of B2M are associated with renal disease and rheumatoid arthritis.  Elevated serum levels can also occur with systemic lupus erythematosus, malignant lymphoma and myeloma.

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Posted October 23, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

When screening for Drugs of Abuse (DOA), or when monitoring patients taking prescription pain medications, the specimen of choice is urine as opposed to serum or plasma.  Why Urine?  Urine is considered the gold standard; it is non-invasive and fast.  Samples are easy to collect and test and there is generally a longer window of detection than blood.  Drugs of abuse can be detected in urine for days to weeks after exposure, in contrast to blood detection which is generally in hours. For example, heroin has a half-life of 6 to 15 minutes in blood, but opiate metabolites may be detected in urine for 2 to 3 days.

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Posted November 18, 2013

This will take effect November 18, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective November 18, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1). IGF-1, also known as somatomedin C, is a 70 amino acid polypeptide produced primarily by the liver in response to endocrine growth hormone (GH) stimulus. Although partially responsible for systemic GH activities, it additionally contributes to anabolic, antioxidant, and cytoprotective functions.

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Posted

This will take effect November 18, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective November 18, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house Hemoglobin Evaluation testing utilizing agarose gel electrophoresis. Protein electrophoresis is a well-established technique routinely used for the screening of protein abnormalities. The resulting qualitative (or structural) abnormalities are called hemoglobinopathies. Additionally, decreased synthesis of one of the hemoglobin chains leads to quantitative (or regulation) abnormalities, called thalassemias.

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Posted November 26, 2013

This will take effect December 2, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective December 2, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) and Immunofixation (IFE). Protein electrophoresis is a well-established technique routinely used for the screening of protein abnormalities. The fraction concentrations and the electrophoretic pattern may be characteristic of diseases such as monoclonal gammopathies, nephrotic syndrome, and inflammatory processes associated with infection, liver disease, and autoimmune diseases.

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Posted December 5, 2013

This will take effect December 2, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective December 2, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Quantitative Kappa & Lambda Free light Chains, Serum. Measurements of free kappa and lambda light chains plays a key role in diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis for many patients with a monoclonal gammopathy, and are an essential component of the primary screening algorithm for suspected monoclonal plasma cell disorders. Measurement of free light chains can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple myeloma, lymphocytic neoplasms, Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, amyloid (AL) amyloidosis, and connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.

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Posted December 16, 2013

This will take effect December 16, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective December 16, 2013, PathGroup will switch the current Group B Strep Detection by PCR assay to a new platform. The new assay will be the FDA-approved BD MAX™ GBS. The BD MAX™ GBS assay provides excellent clinical sensitivity (95.0%) and clinical specificity (96.7%) with an analytic sensitivity of only 200 cfu/ml.

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Posted

This will take effect December 16, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective December 16, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for ImmunoCAP peanut allergen component panel. Peanut allergen component panel may be utilized to diagnose and manage peanut allergic patients. ImmunoCAP allergen components help to differentiate between “true” allergies and cross-reactivity. A better differentiation helps to give relevant advice and define the optimal treatment. Proper management helps to improve the patient’s well-being and quality of life.

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Posted December 17, 2013

This will take effect December 16, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective December 16, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for ImmunoCAP egg allergen component panel. Egg allergen component panel may be utilized to diagnose and manage egg allergic patients. ImmunoCAP allergen components help to differentiate between “true” allergies and cross-reactivity. A better differentiation helps to give relevant advice and define the optimal treatment. Proper management helps to improve the patient’s well-being and quality of life.

Click Here to read more.