Test Update:
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
 |
HSV, VZV, Bordetella Notification Date: 4/16/26
Effective Date: 4/15/2026 |
SUBJECT: Tests will temporarily be performed at ARUP Lab.
Due to equipment failure, effective immediately (4/15/2026), all specimens for HSV, VZV, and Bordetella testing will be temporarily forwarded to ARUP.
At this time, we anticipate that testing will resume in early May.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Rachel Bosserman, PhD, D(ABMM)
Clinical Microbiologist
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison
608-258-6393
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison
700 South Park St
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
Dear Providers,
SSM Health Lab Services have been receiving several questions regarding denials for the Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel by PCR. This is a large, multitarget molecular test for bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of gastroenteritis. This test has complex requirements for reimbursement and may not be covered by insurance. For more information regarding coverage please see the WI Medical Group Operations communication that was sent out on January 2.
Most patients with acute diarrhea without symptoms or risk factors for severe illness do not require testing.
If testing is indicated, some alternatives to the GI Pathogen Panel are suggested for consideration below, depending on your patient's history and symptoms.
In-house testing available:
Norovirus PCR (LAB04801)
Cryptosporidium/Giardia antigen test (LAB04229)
Reference lab testing available:
Stool culture (LAB03294)
Stool Ova & Parasites (LAB04169)
Rotavirus Antigen (Lab Miscellaneous - ARUP Test Code 0065088)
Contact with Questions:
Rachel Bosserman, PhD (ABMM) Adam Morgan, M,D, | Pathologist
Clinical Microbiologist Laboratory Medical Director
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison
Phone 608.258.6393 Phone 608.258.6914 | Fax 608.258.6268
Rachel.Bosserman@ssmhealth.com adam.morgan@ssmhealth.com
Test Update:
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Thromboelastography (TEG) Testing Update Notification Date: 2/10/2026 Effective Date: 2/10/2026 |
Dear Providers,
The St. Mary’s Hospital Madison (SMM) Laboratory has transitioned TEG testing to new TEG 6s instrumentation.
Prior TEG 5000 orders have been replaced with new orders:
TEG 6 Global Hemostasis with Heparin Neutralization (LAB15250)
TEG 6 Global Hemostasis with Lysis (LAB14096)
TEG 6 Platelet Mapping (LAB14095)
Samples will now be available to be sent via the SMM pneumatic tube system.
Testing will continue to be available 24/7 in-house with an expected turnaround time of 1 hour for stat testing and 2 hours for routine testing.
Live monitoring of test tracings is available on appropriately configured hospital workstations for users trained in TEG interpretation.
Laboratory staff are not available to assist with interpretation, and all TEG results must be assessed together with the patient’s medical history, the clinical picture, and if necessary, further hemostasis tests.
Please communicate with colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact:
Jericho Kelly, Hematology Laboratory Technical Specialist
608-258-6930
Adam Morgan M.D., Laboratory Medical Director
608-258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Non-Gynecologic Cytology Specimen Collection Notification Date: 1/21/2026
Effective Date: 2/9/2026 |
SUBJECT: Change in Collection Container and Fixative for Non-Gynecologic Cytology specimens.
Effective Monday, February 9, 2026, we will be transitioning from the Yellow Top Jars (containing 50% Ethanol) to the Light Blue Top CytoLyt Jars (containing CytoLyt Solution) for primary non-gynecologic cytology specimen collection and fixation.
| Previous Container | New Container |
|---|
 |  |
| Yellow Top Jar | Light Blue Top CytoLyt Jar |
| 50% Ethanol (Alcohol) | CytoLyt Solution |
This transition is being made to improve the quality and processing of non-gynecologic cytology specimens.
The CytoLyt solution is a PreservCyt-based fluid that offers several advantages over alcohol fixation.
**Note:** Specimens collected in 50% Ethanol will continue to be accepted until current stock is used up.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Jenel Liphart
608-259-3441
jenel.liphart@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Adulterant results on all Urine Drug Screens will no longer be reported Notification Date: 12/18/2025
Effective Date: 12/30/2025 |
SUBJECT: Effective 12/30/2025 adulterant testing (creatine urine, pH urine, Specific Gravity urine, and Oxidants) will no longer be reported with Urine Drug Screens in Wisconsin.
- Adulterants will no longer be reported because required material to confirm the quality of results is being discontinued and the manufacturer does not plan to offer a replacement.
- The change of not reporting adulterants will affect all hospitals and clinics across Wisconsin for all Urine Drug Screen tests.
- There are no changes to the urine drug screen ordering process for clinicians.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
H. Pylori testing Notification Date: 11/26/2025
Effective Date: 12/2/2025 |
SUBJECT: H. Pylori testing will be performed in-house at St. Mary's - Madison.
Effective 12/02/2025, St. Mary's Madison Microbiology Laboratory will begin testing H. pylori stool specimens in-house, rather than sending to a reference laboratory.
This change will better support our patient population and needs. The expected turn-around time for the in-house testing will be <48 hours.
There will be no change to ordering guidance, collection information, or specimen requirements.
HELICOBATER PYLORI ANTIGEN STOOL
LAB08492
Specimens may be collected as unpreserved stool and should be received at St. Mary's Hospital in <72 hours at refrigerated temperatures (2 - 8 oC) or may be transferred to C&S (Cary-Blair) preservative and transported at 20-25 oC and received in <72 hours.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Nyssa Sheridan, MS, MLS
Technical Specialist 608-258-6756
nyssa.sheridan@ssmhealth.com
Amanda Martinez
Microbiology Manager 608-258-5977
amanda.martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Effective 09-30-2025, NT-proBNP testing (LAB10522) will replace BNP Notification Date: 9/17/2025
Effective Date: 9/30/2025
|
SUBJECT: Effective 9/30/2025, in-house measurement of BNP will be replaced with NT-ProBNP.
SSM is transitioning to NT-proBNP as a system because BNP is not offered on our main chemistry analyzer.
NT-proBNP testing is available 24/7 using test code LAB10522.
Reporting of NT-proBNP results has been standardized across the healthcare system using the cutoffs below.
| Feature | Abbott Alinity BNP Assay | Abbott Alinity NT-proBNP Assay |
|---|
| Analyte | Biologically active, 32-amino acid peptide hormone | Inactive 76 amino acid long N-terminal tail of proBNP |
| Biomarker Utility | A marker of atrial and ventricular distension due to increased intracardiac pressure. | A marker of atrial and ventricular distension due to increased intracardiac pressure.[1]rrt |
| Specimen Type | Whole Blood Collected into Purple Top EDTA Tube | Whole Blood Collected into Green Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube (PST) |
| Stability in Plasma | 4 hrs. (room temp) | 24 hrs. (room temp) |
| Units | pg/mL | pg/mL |
| In Vivo Half-Life | ~20 min | ~120 min |
| Cutoffs (Adults) | >100 pg/mL (rule-in); <100 pg/mL (rule-out) | Age-based for ruling in[2]:
<50 yrs: >450 pg/mL
50–74 yrs: >900 pg/mL
>75 yrs: >1800 pg/mL
<300 pg/mL for ruling out patients, 98% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) for excluding congestive heart failure in adults (18 or greater)2 |
| Cutoffs (Pediatrics) | >100 pg/mL (rule-in); <100 pg/mL (rule-out) | For patients 0-11 months of age 29.6-1594.0 pg/mL
For patients 1 -18 years of age 15.8-214.0 pg/mL
|
| Renal Function Impact | Less affected | More affected |
[1] Many disease processes other than primary left ventricular failure can result in elevated levels of circulating amino-terminal pro–B-type NP (NT-proBNP) including but not limited to heart muscle diseases (amyloidosis, acute cardiomyopathies, myocarditis), valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, anemia, critical illness (sepsis, burns, ARDS), stroke, pulmonary heart disease (sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension). Baggish et al. American Journal of Cardiology. 2008.
[2] Januzzi JL, van Kimmenade RR, Lainchbury J, et al. NT-proBNP testing for diagnosis and short-term prognosis in acute destabilized heart failure: an international pooled analysis of 1256 patients: the international collaborative of NT-proBNP study. Eur Heart J. 2006;27(3):330-337.
For questions or concerns, please contact
Molly Gurney, MD | Pathologist
Medical Director, SSM Health Dean Medical Group Laboratories
St. Mary's Hospital Wisconsin
Phone 608.258.6914 / Fax 608.258.6268
Molly.Gurney@ssmhealth.com
|
New formulation for AST and ALT tests Notification Date: 8/27/2025
Effective Date: 9/9/2025
|
SUBJECT: Effective 9/9/2025 - St. Mary's Madison Hospital will begin using a new formulation for AST and ALT liver function tests.
In-house validation studies demonstrate a positive bias compared to the previous method.
Additionally, AST has a new adult reference range of 0-48 U/L (previously 5-34 U/L).
Please interpret changes in values from the old method with caution and re-baseline patients as necessary.
Direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
Fetal Fibronectin Test (LAB01672) to be discontinued Notification Date: 7/14/2025
Effective Date: 8/14/2025 |
SUBJECT: Effective 8/14/2025 fetal Fibronectin (fFN) testing will no longer be performed at St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison.
The test is discontinued to reflect recent studies and consensus that fFN has limited clinical value in guiding management of symptomatic women and should not be used in asymptomatic women. The discontinuance of fFN aligns with the practices across the rest of SSM and has support from our clinical leaders. Please communicate with colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
STI testing updates
Notification Date: 5/30/2025
Effective Date: 6/2/2025 |
SUBJECT: New additional orderable tests for STI testing.
Based on feedback to simplify specimen source selection, new orderables for ThinPrep sources for STI testing has been built.
ThinPrep sources will be removed from the current CT/NG and TV orderables.
No changes have been made to the HPV test orderable.
Ordering Information
| Test Name/Order Code | Specimen Types |
| NEW) LAB15260 THIN PREP CHLAMYDIA AND N. GONORRHOEAE NAA | Cervical specimen in ThinPrep (PreservCyt) solution |
| (NEW) LAB15261 THIN PREP TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS NAA | Cervical specimen in ThinPrep (PreservCyt) solution |
| (Updated) LAB15225 CHLAMYDIA AND N. GONORRHOEAE NAA | Urine: sterile container (first catch 10-50mL) Endocervical: flocked swab in cobas PCR Media Vaginal, Rectal, or Pharyngeal: woven swab in cobas PCR Media |
| Updated) LAB15226 TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS NAA | Urine: sterile container (first catch 10-50mL) Endocervical: flocked swab in cobas PCR Media Vaginal: woven swab in cobas PCR Media |
Please direct questions or comments to:
Rachel Bosserman, PhD, D(ABMM)
Clinical Microbiologist
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison
608-258-6393
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
|
Phosphorus Critical Value Change
Notification Date: 4/7/25
Effective Date: 5/15/25 |
SUBJECT: Elimination of High Serum/Plasma Phosphorus Critical Value
On May 15, 2025, Wisconsin SSM laboratories will remove the high Critical value for Serum/Plasma Phosphorus which currently is ≥8.0 mg/dL.
Values of <1.0 mg/dL will continue to be considered critical and communicated following the critical value policy.
This change has been reviewed and approved by the SMM Medical Executive Committee.
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
| A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ... |
| Legionella DFA (LAB06390) to be discontinued
Notification Date: 3/13/25
Effective Date: 3/18/25 |
SUBJECT: Effective 3/18/25, Legionella DFA testing will no longer be performed at St. Mary’s Madison, Microbiology Laboratory.
The preferred diagnostic tests for Legionella are: - Legionella urine antigen test (LAB06351)
- Culture Legionella (LAB04045) of lower respiratory secretions.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Amanda Martinez, MLS (ASCP)
Microbiology Manager, St. Mary’s Madison
608-258-5977
Amanda.Martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
|
| A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ... |
| STI Testing on ThinPrep specimens
Notification Date: 3/7/2025
Effective Date: 3/10/2025 |
SUBJECT: STI testing will be available on ThinPrep specimens
Effective 3/10/25, STI testing for Chlamydia + N. gonorrhoeae (LAB15225) and Trichomonas Vaginalis (LAB15226) can be performed on ThinPrep specimens.
The STI testing must be ordered prior to Cytology processing and will not be allowed as an add-on test, due to the risk of nucleic acid contamination.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Amanda Martinez, MLS (ASCP)
Microbiology Manager, St. Mary’s Madison
608-258-5977
Amanda.Martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
|
| A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ... |
| Rotavirus antigen, feces
Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis
Notification Date: 2/27/2025
Effective Date: 2/27/2025 |
SUBJECT: Performing Lab updates
Rotavirus antigen, feces (LAB04117) will be sent to ARUP. - Order Lab Miscellaneous – ARUP Test Code 0065088.
- Turnaround time is 24 hours + transit time
- If a faster turnaround time and/or testing for multiple gastrointestinal viruses is needed, order the Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel by PCR (LAB10921).
Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis (LAB14300) on nasophareyngeal swabs will be performed at St. Mary’s Madison. - Nasopharyngeal aspirates, BALs, Nasal swabs, and throat swabs will continue to be sent to ARUP.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Amanda Martinez, MLS (ASCP)
Microbiology Manager, St. Mary’s Madison
608-258-5977
Amanda.Martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
|
Test Update:
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
HSV, VZV, Bordetella Notification Date: 4/16/26
Effective Date: 4/15/2026 |
SUBJECT: Tests will temporarily be performed at ARUP Lab.
Due to equipment failure, effective immediately (4/15/2026), all specimens for HSV, VZV, and Bordetella testing will be temporarily forwarded to ARUP.
At this time, we anticipate that testing will resume in early May.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Rachel Bosserman, PhD, D(ABMM)
Clinical Microbiologist
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison
608-258-6393
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison
700 South Park St
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
Dear Providers,
SSM Health Lab Services have been receiving several questions regarding denials for the Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel by PCR. This is a large, multitarget molecular test for bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of gastroenteritis. This test has complex requirements for reimbursement and may not be covered by insurance. For more information regarding coverage please see the WI Medical Group Operations communication that was sent out on January 2.
Most patients with acute diarrhea without symptoms or risk factors for severe illness do not require testing.
If testing is indicated, some alternatives to the GI Pathogen Panel are suggested for consideration below, depending on your patient's history and symptoms.
In-house testing available:
Norovirus PCR (LAB04801)
Cryptosporidium/Giardia antigen test (LAB04229)
Reference lab testing available:
Stool culture (LAB03294)
Stool Ova & Parasites (LAB04169)
Rotavirus Antigen (Lab Miscellaneous - ARUP Test Code 0065088)
Contact with Questions:
Rachel Bosserman, PhD (ABMM) Adam Morgan, M,D, | Pathologist
Clinical Microbiologist Laboratory Medical Director
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison
Phone 608.258.6393 Phone 608.258.6914 | Fax 608.258.6268
Rachel.Bosserman@ssmhealth.com adam.morgan@ssmhealth.com
Test Update:
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Thromboelastography (TEG) Testing Update Notification Date: 2/10/2026 Effective Date: 2/10/2026 |
Dear Providers,
The St. Mary’s Hospital Madison (SMM) Laboratory has transitioned TEG testing to new TEG 6s instrumentation.
Prior TEG 5000 orders have been replaced with new orders:
TEG 6 Global Hemostasis with Heparin Neutralization (LAB15250)
TEG 6 Global Hemostasis with Lysis (LAB14096)
TEG 6 Platelet Mapping (LAB14095)
Samples will now be available to be sent via the SMM pneumatic tube system.
Testing will continue to be available 24/7 in-house with an expected turnaround time of 1 hour for stat testing and 2 hours for routine testing.
Live monitoring of test tracings is available on appropriately configured hospital workstations for users trained in TEG interpretation.
Laboratory staff are not available to assist with interpretation, and all TEG results must be assessed together with the patient’s medical history, the clinical picture, and if necessary, further hemostasis tests.
Please communicate with colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact:
Jericho Kelly, Hematology Laboratory Technical Specialist
608-258-6930
Adam Morgan M.D., Laboratory Medical Director
608-258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Non-Gynecologic Cytology Specimen Collection Notification Date: 1/21/2026
Effective Date: 2/9/2026 |
SUBJECT: Change in Collection Container and Fixative for Non-Gynecologic Cytology specimens.
Effective Monday, February 9, 2026, we will be transitioning from the Yellow Top Jars (containing 50% Ethanol) to the Light Blue Top CytoLyt Jars (containing CytoLyt Solution) for primary non-gynecologic cytology specimen collection and fixation.
| Previous Container | New Container |
|---|
| | |
| Yellow Top Jar | Light Blue Top CytoLyt Jar |
| 50% Ethanol (Alcohol) | CytoLyt Solution |
This transition is being made to improve the quality and processing of non-gynecologic cytology specimens.
The CytoLyt solution is a PreservCyt-based fluid that offers several advantages over alcohol fixation.
**Note:** Specimens collected in 50% Ethanol will continue to be accepted until current stock is used up.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Jenel Liphart
608-259-3441
jenel.liphart@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Adulterant results on all Urine Drug Screens will no longer be reported Notification Date: 12/18/2025
Effective Date: 12/30/2025 |
SUBJECT: Effective 12/30/2025 adulterant testing (creatine urine, pH urine, Specific Gravity urine, and Oxidants) will no longer be reported with Urine Drug Screens in Wisconsin.
- Adulterants will no longer be reported because required material to confirm the quality of results is being discontinued and the manufacturer does not plan to offer a replacement.
- The change of not reporting adulterants will affect all hospitals and clinics across Wisconsin for all Urine Drug Screen tests.
- There are no changes to the urine drug screen ordering process for clinicians.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
H. Pylori testing Notification Date: 11/26/2025
Effective Date: 12/2/2025 |
SUBJECT: H. Pylori testing will be performed in-house at St. Mary's - Madison.
Effective 12/02/2025, St. Mary's Madison Microbiology Laboratory will begin testing H. pylori stool specimens in-house, rather than sending to a reference laboratory.
This change will better support our patient population and needs. The expected turn-around time for the in-house testing will be <48 hours.
There will be no change to ordering guidance, collection information, or specimen requirements.
HELICOBATER PYLORI ANTIGEN STOOL
LAB08492
Specimens may be collected as unpreserved stool and should be received at St. Mary's Hospital in <72 hours at refrigerated temperatures (2 - 8 oC) or may be transferred to C&S (Cary-Blair) preservative and transported at 20-25 oC and received in <72 hours.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Nyssa Sheridan, MS, MLS
Technical Specialist 608-258-6756
nyssa.sheridan@ssmhealth.com
Amanda Martinez
Microbiology Manager 608-258-5977
amanda.martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
Effective 09-30-2025, NT-proBNP testing (LAB10522) will replace BNP Notification Date: 9/17/2025
Effective Date: 9/30/2025
|
SUBJECT: Effective 9/30/2025, in-house measurement of BNP will be replaced with NT-ProBNP.
SSM is transitioning to NT-proBNP as a system because BNP is not offered on our main chemistry analyzer.
NT-proBNP testing is available 24/7 using test code LAB10522.
Reporting of NT-proBNP results has been standardized across the healthcare system using the cutoffs below.
| Feature | Abbott Alinity BNP Assay | Abbott Alinity NT-proBNP Assay |
|---|
| Analyte | Biologically active, 32-amino acid peptide hormone | Inactive 76 amino acid long N-terminal tail of proBNP |
| Biomarker Utility | A marker of atrial and ventricular distension due to increased intracardiac pressure. | A marker of atrial and ventricular distension due to increased intracardiac pressure.[1]rrt |
| Specimen Type | Whole Blood Collected into Purple Top EDTA Tube | Whole Blood Collected into Green Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube (PST) |
| Stability in Plasma | 4 hrs. (room temp) | 24 hrs. (room temp) |
| Units | pg/mL | pg/mL |
| In Vivo Half-Life | ~20 min | ~120 min |
| Cutoffs (Adults) | >100 pg/mL (rule-in); <100 pg/mL (rule-out) | Age-based for ruling in[2]:
<50 yrs: >450 pg/mL
50–74 yrs: >900 pg/mL
>75 yrs: >1800 pg/mL
<300 pg/mL for ruling out patients, 98% Negative Predictive Value (NPV) for excluding congestive heart failure in adults (18 or greater)2 |
| Cutoffs (Pediatrics) | >100 pg/mL (rule-in); <100 pg/mL (rule-out) | For patients 0-11 months of age 29.6-1594.0 pg/mL
For patients 1 -18 years of age 15.8-214.0 pg/mL
|
| Renal Function Impact | Less affected | More affected |
[1] Many disease processes other than primary left ventricular failure can result in elevated levels of circulating amino-terminal pro–B-type NP (NT-proBNP) including but not limited to heart muscle diseases (amyloidosis, acute cardiomyopathies, myocarditis), valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, anemia, critical illness (sepsis, burns, ARDS), stroke, pulmonary heart disease (sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension). Baggish et al. American Journal of Cardiology. 2008.
[2] Januzzi JL, van Kimmenade RR, Lainchbury J, et al. NT-proBNP testing for diagnosis and short-term prognosis in acute destabilized heart failure: an international pooled analysis of 1256 patients: the international collaborative of NT-proBNP study. Eur Heart J. 2006;27(3):330-337.
For questions or concerns, please contact
Molly Gurney, MD | Pathologist
Medical Director, SSM Health Dean Medical Group Laboratories
St. Mary's Hospital Wisconsin
Phone 608.258.6914 / Fax 608.258.6268
Molly.Gurney@ssmhealth.com
|
New formulation for AST and ALT tests Notification Date: 8/27/2025
Effective Date: 9/9/2025
|
SUBJECT: Effective 9/9/2025 - St. Mary's Madison Hospital will begin using a new formulation for AST and ALT liver function tests.
In-house validation studies demonstrate a positive bias compared to the previous method.
Additionally, AST has a new adult reference range of 0-48 U/L (previously 5-34 U/L).
Please interpret changes in values from the old method with caution and re-baseline patients as necessary.
Direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
Fetal Fibronectin Test (LAB01672) to be discontinued Notification Date: 7/14/2025
Effective Date: 8/14/2025 |
SUBJECT: Effective 8/14/2025 fetal Fibronectin (fFN) testing will no longer be performed at St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison.
The test is discontinued to reflect recent studies and consensus that fFN has limited clinical value in guiding management of symptomatic women and should not be used in asymptomatic women. The discontinuance of fFN aligns with the practices across the rest of SSM and has support from our clinical leaders. Please communicate with colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ...
|
STI testing updates
Notification Date: 5/30/2025
Effective Date: 6/2/2025 |
SUBJECT: New additional orderable tests for STI testing.
Based on feedback to simplify specimen source selection, new orderables for ThinPrep sources for STI testing has been built.
ThinPrep sources will be removed from the current CT/NG and TV orderables.
No changes have been made to the HPV test orderable.
Ordering Information
| Test Name/Order Code | Specimen Types |
| NEW) LAB15260 THIN PREP CHLAMYDIA AND N. GONORRHOEAE NAA | Cervical specimen in ThinPrep (PreservCyt) solution |
| (NEW) LAB15261 THIN PREP TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS NAA | Cervical specimen in ThinPrep (PreservCyt) solution |
| (Updated) LAB15225 CHLAMYDIA AND N. GONORRHOEAE NAA | Urine: sterile container (first catch 10-50mL) Endocervical: flocked swab in cobas PCR Media Vaginal, Rectal, or Pharyngeal: woven swab in cobas PCR Media |
| Updated) LAB15226 TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS NAA | Urine: sterile container (first catch 10-50mL) Endocervical: flocked swab in cobas PCR Media Vaginal: woven swab in cobas PCR Media |
Please direct questions or comments to:
Rachel Bosserman, PhD, D(ABMM)
Clinical Microbiologist
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison
608-258-6393
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
|
Phosphorus Critical Value Change
Notification Date: 4/7/25
Effective Date: 5/15/25 |
SUBJECT: Elimination of High Serum/Plasma Phosphorus Critical Value
On May 15, 2025, Wisconsin SSM laboratories will remove the high Critical value for Serum/Plasma Phosphorus which currently is ≥8.0 mg/dL.
Values of <1.0 mg/dL will continue to be considered critical and communicated following the critical value policy.
This change has been reviewed and approved by the SMM Medical Executive Committee.
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Molly Gurney, M.D.
Assistant Laboratory Medical Director, Chemistry
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
Office: (608) 258-6914
molly.gurney@ssmhealth.com
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914
| A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ... |
| Legionella DFA (LAB06390) to be discontinued
Notification Date: 3/13/25
Effective Date: 3/18/25 |
SUBJECT: Effective 3/18/25, Legionella DFA testing will no longer be performed at St. Mary’s Madison, Microbiology Laboratory.
The preferred diagnostic tests for Legionella are: - Legionella urine antigen test (LAB06351)
- Culture Legionella (LAB04045) of lower respiratory secretions.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Amanda Martinez, MLS (ASCP)
Microbiology Manager, St. Mary’s Madison
608-258-5977
Amanda.Martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
|
| A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ... |
| STI Testing on ThinPrep specimens
Notification Date: 3/7/2025
Effective Date: 3/10/2025 |
SUBJECT: STI testing will be available on ThinPrep specimens
Effective 3/10/25, STI testing for Chlamydia + N. gonorrhoeae (LAB15225) and Trichomonas Vaginalis (LAB15226) can be performed on ThinPrep specimens.
The STI testing must be ordered prior to Cytology processing and will not be allowed as an add-on test, due to the risk of nucleic acid contamination.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Amanda Martinez, MLS (ASCP)
Microbiology Manager, St. Mary’s Madison
608-258-5977
Amanda.Martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
|
| A message from Adam Morgan, M.D. (Laboratory Medical Director | SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison) ... |
| Rotavirus antigen, feces
Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis
Notification Date: 2/27/2025
Effective Date: 2/27/2025 |
SUBJECT: Performing Lab updates
Rotavirus antigen, feces (LAB04117) will be sent to ARUP. - Order Lab Miscellaneous – ARUP Test Code 0065088.
- Turnaround time is 24 hours + transit time
- If a faster turnaround time and/or testing for multiple gastrointestinal viruses is needed, order the Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel by PCR (LAB10921).
Bordetella pertussis / parapertussis (LAB14300) on nasophareyngeal swabs will be performed at St. Mary’s Madison. - Nasopharyngeal aspirates, BALs, Nasal swabs, and throat swabs will continue to be sent to ARUP.
Please direct questions or comments to:
Amanda Martinez, MLS (ASCP)
Microbiology Manager, St. Mary’s Madison
608-258-5977
Amanda.Martinez@ssmhealth.com
Please communicate to colleagues and staff in your area accordingly.
Thank you,
Adam Morgan, M.D.
Laboratory Medical Director
Pathology, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Madison
700 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
Office: (608) 258-6914 |
|
