The serum folate assay is standardized to the

World Health Organization (WHO) International

Standard 03/178. 

Note new reference range is >=6.0 ng/mL.

Based on comparison studies between the current

and restandardized folate assays, patient samples

will shift upward by approximately 30 to 45%.

The WHO Technical Consultation* on folate and

vitamin B12 deficiencies has determined that

deficient folate concentrations are considered  to

be less than 4 ng/mL.

* Food and Nutrition Bulletin.  The United Nations

University, 2008:29(2):S238 to 246.

Effective 12/30/2011- The reference range for HBsAb Quantitative results has changed.

Results >= 12.0 mIU/mL are considered reactive

Indeterminate results are 8.0 to 11.9 mIU/mL

<8.0 mIU/mL are considered Non reactive

EDTA specimens are no longer acceptable for this test.

Technical bulletin to follow.

There are 2 new technical bulletins posted 11_08_2011:

BRAF Melanoma  Assay 

KRAS and BRAF Additional Information Requirement

Effective 11/7/2011:  ENA testing will be referred to Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, Chantilly Va.

Specimens are stable 7 days refrigerated.

The method has changed to Immunoassay.

9/7/2011:  There are updated instructions for QFT Collections posted in the technical notes sections under QFT Blood Collection Instructions Flyer_09_2011. 

Effective 6/28/2011: CPAL will change the manner that HCV Real Time PCR Viral Loads are reported.

See Technical Bulletin for details.

Beginning June 6, 2011; Free Kappa and  Free Lambda light chain testing will be offered.

Tests may be ordered as a Kappa/Lambda Group which includes the Free Kappa,

Free Lambda light chains and a Kappa/Lambda ratio or as individual Free Kappa

or Free Lambda light chains.  Technical bulletin is now available.

Beginning May 1, 2011, CPAL will be offering Microorganism Identification by DNA sequencing.

Technical bulletin is available with specimen submission guidelines.