Lab bulletin: Measles specimen collection pathway updated
To protect the public and staff while ensuring access to laboratory services for all Albertans, Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), in collaboration with Alberta Health Services Public Health, has developed defined specimen collection pathways for all measles testing. Please familiarize yourself with and follow Measles Specimen Collection Pathway Measles Specimen Collection Pathways when arranging for specimen collection. Booking through the APL patient appointment line 1-877-702-4486 is essential to ensure appropriate and safe access to measles testing.
New: Translated measles posters
AHS is now offering measles posters in several languages, including Low German, Michif Cree, Michif French, Blackfoot and Spanish. The posters promote immunization, warn against contagion, explain symptoms, and more.
Lab bulletin: Delayed results for Parvovirus IgM testing
Effective immediately, Parvovirus B19 IgM antibody testing will temporarily shift from daily to biweekly processing due to resource and supply constraints. Expect delays in results for Parvovirus IgM testing (typically used in pregnancy or pediatric settings to investigate febrile rash illnesses or hydrops fetalis). There is no change in test ordering procedure or specimen requirements. Please plan accordingly if you're managing time-sensitive cases, such as in pregnancy or immunocompromised patients. Updates will be communicated as service returns to normal.
Lab bulletin: Changes to Bilirubin on-site testing at some rural facilities in North and South Zones
Effective June 2025, Alberta Precision Laboratories is making several updates to where neonatal bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin testing is performed in rural communities across Alberta. These changes may affect how and where you send samples for newborn jaundice testing. Onsite testing has been discontinued at the following rural laboratories: Crowsnest Pass, Fort Macleod, Fox Creek, Grimshaw, Jasper, and Manning. Testing is now available at several additional rural sites: Athabasca, Cold Lake, Edson, Hinton, Lac La Biche, Slave Lake, St. Paul, Wabasca, Westlock. These changes aim to improve consistency and optimize lab resources, but they may result in longer turnaround times in some communities and better access in others. Please review your local processes to ensure appropriate sample routing and patient communication. For details on how your site will be affected, refer to the following lab bulletins:
Lab bulletin: New chest pain pathway launches at rural sites using high-sensitivity Troponin testing
A new two-hour chest pain pathway using high-sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TnI) on the Quidel TriageTrue platform is now being implemented across rural Alberta sites. This initiative supports faster decision-making and more accurate triage for patients presenting with chest pain.
If your clinic refers to or collaborates with rural emergency or urgent care facilities, you may begin to see this test and algorithm referenced in discharge summaries or consultations.
Lab bulletin: Update to Insulin Antibody testing process
As of June 2025, Insulin Antibody (IAA) testing most relevant for suspected autoimmune diabetes (especially Type 1) or insulin allergy workups, is being centralized to improve test consistency and turnaround times across Alberta.
All insulin antibody tests are now processed at a single reference lab with updated instructions for specimen collection and shipping. If your clinic occasionally orders insulin antibody testing, please review the new process to ensure proper handling and to prevent rejected specimens.
Pathway of the Week: Gender-Affirming Care
The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is pleased to announce the Gender-Affirming Care for Adults Clinical Pathway has now completed its live test phase and is available in its final version on Alberta’s Pathway Hub. Additionally, the clinical pathway is accompanied by the Provincial Adult Gender-Affirming Care Patient Pathway. These pathways support care across the continuum from non-surgical, medical and surgical healthcare options for transgender and non-binary people and are intended to offer greater confidence to those navigating the system in our province. Both pathways were co-designed within Alberta and are well linked to other national and international guidelines for gender-affirming care. Explore more pathways at www.albertapathways.ca. | 
