Physicians' Newsletter Volume 13, Issue 6

Thursday, 08 December 2011

In this issue

1. Sunday Openings
2. Changes to Patient Instuctions for Semen Analysis
3. Histone Antibodies
4. Did You Know?
5. Download PDF of issue

Sunday Openings - BC Biomedical extends operations to a 7 days a week service

We are pleased to announce the opening of the following nine Patient Service Centres (PSCs) on Sundays as of January 8, 2012.

We anticipate further openings in other geographic areas in due course once we overcome some logistic issues such as building access to our PSCs.

The analytical laboratory and cardiac services will also be open on Sundays to allow same day processing and result reporting. In addition, we have extended the operation of our Client Information Centre at 604-507-5070 or Toll free 1-877-507-5595 to include Sundays 0700 - 1700 h.

We hope this Sunday service will help alleviate some of the patient demand which we currently experience on Saturdays and Mondays.

Please direct enquiries to Client Services at 604-507-5040.

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Changes to Patient Instructions for Semen Analysis

We would like to highlight two changes to our collection procedure for semen analyses.

• In an effort to reduce the interval between collection and testing (which may affect sperm motility results), we have made changes to our specimen drop-off appointment times which have resulted in fewer appointment times, especially on Saturdays. However, we do not believe this will lead to a significant increase in the wait time to obtain an appointment. Please note that all semen analyses (for fertility investigations or post-vasectomy) must be booked by the patient by calling our Client Information Centre, Monday to Friday between 0900 - 1700 h at 604-507-5070 or Toll Free at 1-877-507-5595.
• The patient brochure outlining semen collection instructions has been updated with some minor changes. One of these changes is an accreditation requirement that we
  obtain information from the patient regarding the number of days since he last had an ejaculation. The patient is asked to provide this information on the brochure. Please discard your current copies and request replacement copies using the BC Biomedical Stores order form.

Please direct enquiries to any member of the Hematopathology Group at 604-507-5000.

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Histone Antibodies

IBC Biomedical Laboratories has recently added a test for antibodies directed against histones to our test menu. Histones are basic DNA-associated proteins which help to stabilize the DNA double helix and may play a role in gene regulation.

Antibodies against histones are seen in drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DLE), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs associated with DLE include procainamide, hydralazine, isoniazid and others.

To order, please request “anti-histoneantibodies” on the laboratory requisition.

The test will be reported as part of the Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) profile. Please direct enquiries to any member of the Hematopathology Group at 604-507-5000.

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Did You Know?

• Community isolates of E.coli, compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, are now more commonly demonstrating multiple antibiotic resistance. We used to think of P. aeruginosa as being a resistant bacteria and E.coli as quite susceptible to antibiotics. Antibiotic pressures have now made community isolates of E.coli more frequently resistant to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime and aminoglycosides.
• Correct identification and labeling of specimens is critically important to patient safety. BC Biomedical routinely monitors the incidence of mislabeled specimens as a Quality Indicator. Our current mislabeled rate is 1/100,000 patients. Although this is amazingly good and is better than industry benchmarks, we continue to look for ways to reduce this further as only a zero mislabeled rate is acceptable.

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