Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services

New:

The Division of Laboratory Services is launching a new electronic lab ordering and reporting system which is set to go live in February 2010. The Newborn Screening aspect of the system is set to go live in the first quarter of 2010. This Web Outreach system is Internet-based and designed to be more accessible to the Commonwealth’s health providers (local health departments, hospitals, and other providers). This Web system allows electronic placement of orders as the first step in the specimen submission process to the Division of Laboratory Services. Additionally, reports can be viewed electronically and printed from the Web Outreach system.

Benefits to the end users are:
1. Quicker turnaround time to receive results and reports
2. Order entry and retrieval of results are available from any computer connected to the internet
3. Outreach generated requisitions

To get started, the following must be completed: Every Outreach system user must complete and return to the lab two required forms for access to this system. The required forms are a User Request Form and a HIPAA form. To obtain these forms and for more information regarding the new Outreach system, please click this link or visit http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/lab/Business+Operations+Branch.htm.

At the Web page, scroll to the bottom of the page and click User Access link and HIPAA links to download and print the forms to your computer printer. Please complete the forms in their entirety.

Return the completed and signed forms as soon as possible to the address indicated on the User Access Form. A faxed form will not be accepted.

Division of Laboratory Services
Attention: KY-LWO Customer Service Center
100 Sower Blvd Suite 204
Frankfort, KY 40601

Training for the Outreach system is provided and the training session is approximately one hour. Appropriate staff at your facility should participate in this training.

Should you have questions or comments please contact the Division of Laboratory Services at (502) 546-4446, ext. 4707.

We are very excited to provide enhanced and convenient laboratory information for your use through our new Outreach system.

Influenza Information

Most influenza cases in Kentucky since May 2009 have been novel influenza (H1N1). Since the Department for Public Health recently has published new clinician guidelines, it is no longer necessary to send specimens to the Public Health Laboratory on every suspected case of influenza and the Division of Laboratory Services is no longer providing viral media on a mass scale. Send specimens only on those patients meeting the current guidelines for specimen submission Novel H1N1 Clinician Guidance 8-20-09.

Novel Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu): Laboratory Guidelines for Suspected Cases

H1N1: Find details on the Health Alerts Web site.

Collection
Obtain any of the following:

Nasopharyngeal swab
Collect a nasopharyngeal swab using a Dacron tip and aluminum or plastic shaft. Do not use swabs that are calcium alginate, cotton or have wooden shafts.

If a rapid influenza test has been performed, use a separate and clean nasopharyngeal swab when obtaining the specimen for influenza testing that will be performed at the state laboratory. Package this swab in viral transport media and ship.

Nasal aspirate

Nasal or throat swab

Combined nasopharyngeal swab with a throat swab

Specimens should be placed into sterile viral transport media (M4RT) and immediately placed on ice or cold packs or at 4 degrees Celsius (refrigerator) for transport to the laboratory.

Place specimen in container with cold packs.

Label container as Biological substance, Category B UN3373.

Ship immediately, refrigerate specimens that cannot be shipped immediately.

Viral Packaging Instructions

Shipment

Submit specimens with Lab Form 275. The form can be printed directly from this Web site.

Please contact the lab at (502)564-4446 (normal business hours) or (502)330-6235 (emergency number) with any questions.

Send specimens to:

ATTN: Virology
Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services
100 Sower Blvd.
Frankfort, Ky. 40601

Confirmatory H1N1 (Swine Flu) testing currently is being performed by the Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services.

Laboratory Information

Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services
100 Sower Blvd. Ste 204
Frankfort, KY 40601