LS RATIOS TO MCGEE CLINICAL LAB IN PITTSBURGH
PURPOSE
McGee Clinical Lab will perform fetal lung maturity testing for IRMC.
Fetal lung maturity testing is used to determine the risk for developing respiratory distress syndrome in infants
born prematurely. Surfactant is packed into lamellar bodies which pass into the amniotic fluid. The status of fetal
lung maturity is reflected in the number of lamellar bodies present in the amniotic fluid.
Lung maturity is assesed by first doing a lamellar body count. If the count is <20, the fetal lungs are immature, If
> 40, the lungs are considered mature. The physician is notified in either case, and further testing will not be
performed. If lamellar body count is >20 and <40, the physician will be notified, and further action will be decided
between the physician and McGee Lab, such as performing an LS ratio and/or PG slide test.
LS (Lecithin/Sphingomyelin) ratio is useful for determining ability of fetal lungs to produce sufficient
quantities of pulmonary surfactant. It can also predict the likelihood of the development of respiratory distress
syndrome if the fetus were delivered. Amniotic fluid is obtained and used for analysis.
PG (phosphatidylglycerol) concentration increases with gestational age and correlates with lung maturity.
PROCEDURE FOR SENDING AMNIOTIC FLUID TO MCGEE
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Upon scheduling of the amniocentesis with Scheduling Center, a Meditech email will be sent to
LAB-TECHS distribution group and notification will print on LAH-PSERVER in Chemistry.
Upon receiving notification and/or specimen, Notify Security at 77154 or have them paged. Let
them know that a lab specimen needs transported to Pittsburgh Clinical Lab for testing.
Note: Keep in mind that there is a small chance the specimen will be unable to be obtained, so
Security needs to be informed. If the courier is coming from home, they may want to wait until
the specimen has been obtained. Call Security for confirmation when specimen received.
When the specimen arrives in Lab, call Clinical Lab at 412-647-3788. Let them know we are
sending a specimen for fetal lung maturity testing. McGee’s # is on req and is 412-641-4677.
Use the Clinical Lab number first and this number as backup.
Lamellar bodies can be done any time of day and take approximately 45 min. The specimen can
be sent any time of day to do this test. LS ratios are set up at 1 pm daily 7 days/week, so if this
test is to be done same day as fluid is obtained, the specimen must arrive at a time that will
allow for travel and specimen to arrive for the next setup. If Security is unable to deliver the
specimen, the tech should notify Courier Service at 412-481-7300. IRMC account # is 35231.
Ultrasound will order LS in the computer. They will deliver specimen to lab.
Complete a copy of the requisition located in this procedure or in folder with other forms in the
holder in Chem. Include as much known information as possible. Be sure LS ratio and lamellar
body count is checked. Note: When an LS ratio is ordered, lamellar bodies will automatically be
done. It is very important to include the physician’s phone number where he/she can most
likely be reached, as there needs to be conversation between Lab and physician depending on
the outcome of the lamellar body count. Include physicians fax number also. Keep a copy of the
requisition for our records and put on counter near summary sheet.
Make sure specimens are tightly capped. Wrap specimens in brown paper towels to protect
from light. Place in a Mayo refrigerated bag. Put requisition in paper portion of bag.
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Get an insulated box (top of cabinet to the right of freezer #4). Put bagged specimen in box.
Add some crushed ice. (Can get from RCC) Please write on outside of box:
“Time Sensitive Specimen. Please deliver to Lab immediately.”
9. Address: Clinical Lab Building, 3477 Euler Way, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213.
10. There are address labels in folder with the Magee forms. Please make sure courier has this
information upon pickup. The location is in an alley. Explain to the courier that he can pull up in
front. Security will be in the lobby and will take the specimen, or will direct courier to the 5 th
floor lab.
NOTE: If for some reason, there is a delay in transporting the specimen, please wrap specimens in
brown paper towels and refrigerate in frig 4 in the FOL rack.
DO NOT CENTRIFUGE OR FREEZE SPECIMEN! The lamellar bodies will be destroyed.
REPORTING: When testing is complete, McGee will call the physician with results. They will also fax a
copy to the physician’s office and the lab.
Clerical staff will follow procedure Meditech MAGEE - WOMENS Test Result Entry for resulting and
scanning report in the LIS.
Meditech MAGEE - WOMENS Test Result Entry
1. From Meditech Lab Main Menu select #50, Press Enter
2. Pop-up box appears titled Change User’s Lab Site. Cursor will be
flashing in the Change To Site, Press F9 key.
3. At the Select prompt enter # 8 MAGEE*
4. Pop-up box titled Confirmation appears with question Change Site? Click Yes.
5. Click on Yes.
6. Pop-up box Message appears with “Site changed from Main Lab to Non-Interfaced Mayo”
Click OK.
7. You will be at the Lab Main Menu in the MAGEE Lab site. At the Select prompt enter
#10, Press Enter.
8. #13 Result Entry, Press Enter.
9. #1 Enter Results (Standard), Press Enter
10. At the SPEC prompt enter the Meditech Specimen number (ex. 1205:CC000001), Press
Enter.
11. Pop-up box may appear “Receive Specimen for Lab Site NOIMAYO”, Click YES.
12. Screen appears like this:
Test
Test Name
Result
Flg Units
Reference Method Action
REFLAB
13. Enter SSR . File Options pop-up box appears. Click in box” Verify All results and File” or
Enter letter “A”.
14. See Scan Ref Lab Rpt will result for this test. Cursor will be flashing at the SPEC prompt
to enter next specimen number to be resulted.
Note 1: Meditech mnemonic is : LS ( Lecithin/Sphingo ( LS) Panel
Note2: The report from Magee-Womens Hospital may have one or all of the following
tests on it : FLM Profile, LS Ratio Profile, PG-Slide Test
You will only need to result LS with “ SSR”