Technical Bulletins

Jump To:
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019

2024 Technical Bulletins

  • Sending Out Mitochondrial M2 Antibody Testing

  • Medical Device Recall: BIOFIRE FILMARRAY GI Panel

2023 Technical Bulletins

  • Medical Device Recall: BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Pneumonia Panel

  • No Longer Covered: Respiratory Panel & Stool GI Pathogen Panel

  • HCV Panels simplify compliance with Public Health recommendations

  • HCV Panels simplify compliance with Public Health recommendations

  • Discontinuation of DNA/RNA Shield Collection Media and DLS Central Testing for COVID-19 on ThermoFisher High-Throughput Platform

  • Update to HSV Serology Testing and STI Panels

  • Updated Interpretive Comments for QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus

  • Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections - Update

  • Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections - Expansion

  • New Testing for Carbapenemase Genes Improves Inpatient Management

  • New Fecal Occult Blood Collection Devices

  • SARS-CoV-2 EUA Fact Sheets for Providers

2022 Technical Bulletins

  • Testing Support for 2022-2023 Respiratory Disease Season

  • DOH partners with local laboratories to expand testing for curable hepatitis C

  • HIV Antigen/Antibody Screen Test Provides Analyte-Specific Results

  • QuantiFeron IGRA Demonstrates Uncertainty Around the Cutoff
May 18, 2022:ViewOutsourcing Ova and Parasite Test for Intestinal Parasites
April 7, 2022:ViewMedicare Coverage Restriction for Combination Orders of Tumor Antigen CA 15-3 (TC 207) and CA 27.29 (TC 4659)
March 17, 2022:ViewTaxonomy Changes in the MALDI-TOF/MS Database
February 3, 2022:ViewInterpretation of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) PCR Presumptive Positive

2021 Technical Bulletins

December 29, 2021:ViewRapid Hospital Group A Strep Test Shortages
November 30, 2021:ViewRemove race from eGFR Calculation
November 12, 2021:ViewRAPIDPoint 500e Blood Gas Analyzer
November 1, 2021:ViewProcalcitonin Testing available in North Hawaii
November 1, 2021:ViewProcalcitonin Testing Reference
August 30, 2021:ViewRe-activation of Cryptococcus Antigen Testing
August 24, 2021:ViewPooling protocols increase capacity for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) testing at DLS
May 25, 2021:ViewSuppression of Clostridioides difficile Result in Multiplex GI Panel
May 6, 2021:ViewTemporary Discontinuation of VerifyNow
April 14, 2021:ViewUpdate: Kappa and Lambda Light Chains, Free testing performed in house
April 12, 2021:ViewDiscontinuation of Abbott SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) IgG, Qualitative Nucleocapsid Assay
April 12, 2021:ViewFecal Lactoferrin Replacing WBC-Stool (Fecal Leukocytes) to Indicate Inflammation in the Bowel
April 8, 2021:ViewDiscontinuation of Hemoccult Fecal Occult Blood Test
April 8, 2021:ViewRapid SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) also Includes Roche Liat Combo
April 8, 2021:ViewPerformance Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) NAAT – Update 1
April 8, 2021:ViewRapid SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Combo NAAT Have Limitations
April 2, 2021:ViewUpdated Albumin / Globulin Ratio Reference Range
March 23, 2021:ViewTissue Oncology Testing is available in CARE*Link
March 19, 2021:ViewOncology Testing Supports QMC Precision Medicine Program
March 12, 2021:ViewDiscontinuation of In-house Hepatitis B envelope Ag and Ab Testing
February 23, 2021:ViewSaliva Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) for Non-Medical Purposes
February 18, 2021:ViewSerology Tests for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Now Includes Antibody against Spike Protein

2020 Technical Bulletins

November 10, 2020:ViewUpdated Kappa and Lambda Light Chains, Free
November 13, 2020:ViewThe VDRL Test Performed on CSF will Automatically Reflex to Provide a Titer
October 12, 2020:ViewDiscontinuation of Streptozyme Testing
September 30, 2020:ViewAntimicrobic Susceptibility Interpretations
September 14, 2020:ViewChange in Ordering Practice for Outpatient Transfusions
September 9, 2020:ViewTests Unavailable for Add-on Requests
August 25, 2020:ViewPreliminary bacterial identifications are now reported from positive blood culture by MALDI-TOF/MS
July 21, 2020:ViewTroponin T Generation 5 STAT Assay
June 15, 2020:ViewRapid Multiplex Pneumonia Panel Now Available at Central

2019 Technical Bulletins

December 10, 2019:ViewLocal testing for procalcitonin is available in Guam beginning December 17, 2019
September 2019:ViewUpdate on Testing for Helicobacter Pylori Infections
September 2019:ViewRapid PCR replaces Antigen Testing for Influenza in Guam
September 2019:ViewAvailability of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus in Guam and Saipan
August 2019:ViewUpdate for Urinalysis Result Reporting
August 2019:ViewQuantitative CMV testing by qPCR available at DLS Central Laboratory
August 2019:ViewClostridioides (Clostridium) difficile screening now available at Queen’s Punchbowl and Queen’s West Oahu laboratories
August 2019:ViewNew Bood Culture Instruments and Bottles
August 2019:ViewUpdated Fluoroquinolone Susceptibility Interpretation
August 2019:ViewCefazolin Susceptibilities for Uncomplicated UTI Now Available
June 2019:ViewHIV Test Algorithm for Laboratory Diagnosis
June 2019:ViewGenotyping for HIV Drug Resistance now includes Integrase Inhibitors
June 2019:ViewDLS FHP New Chemistry Analyzer beginning June 13, 2019
May 2019:ViewRoutine and Special Circumstance use of Throat Culture
April 2019:ViewNext Generation Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Assay
March 2019:ViewPneumococcus Testing by Rapid Antigen Compliments Laboratory Approach to Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) and Meningitis
March 2019:ViewRapid PCR Testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Available in Guam
March 2019:ViewDLS Guam New Chemistry Analyzer beginning March 7, 2019
February 2019:ViewReflex test algorithms for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
January 2019:ViewHPV Testing has migrated from a lab developed test to an FDA-approved system
January 2019:ViewUpdate to Protime INR reporting range
January 2019:ViewAerococcus Susceptibility to Antimicrobics