CRMC LABORATORY UPDATE
Effective Date: 1/12/2015
Test(s): Influenza and RSV Testing Update
Lab Locations: CRMC-LAB LOCATIONS
Currently, influenza testing at Community Regional involves either Rapid Enzyme Immunoassay
(EIA) with follow-up PCR viral testing regardless of the initial EIA result OR going directly to PCR
testing alone with no EIA. This testing is currently ordered in EPIC as “Influenza A and B by EIA,”
which is not fully descriptive of the tests which will be done.
In fact, the Influenza Rapid EIA test has sub-optimal sensitivity and specificity, and “FALSE
NEGATIVE” results are common. Expert guidance is to not to base patient management or
exposure precautions on EIA results, particularly not a NEGATIVE EIA result. We have concerns
that some lab customers may not appreciate that crucial limitation.
The CDC website (www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician_guidance_ridt.htm) provides
an overview of the advantages and disadvantages and clinician guidance on the use of Rapid
Influenza Diagnostic Tests. The preferred influenza diagnostic test is the PCR methodology which
we offer. It provides much higher sensitivity and specificity and also provides A and B subtyping. PCR testing for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is also available.
After discussion with customers in Infection Control and CRMC Emergency Department, effective
January 12, 2015, the rapid EIA Influenza test will no longer be available, and the Influenza and
RSV PCR test choices in EPIC (as seen for the CRMC location) will be changed. Please order the
Influenza A and B by PCR and/or the RSV by PCR as appropriate for the patient’s signs and
symptoms.
 Influenza A and B by PCR (shorthand is FLUPC)
 RSV by PCR (shorthand is RSVPC)
We are working to extend our test capacity and capabilities to improve result times for the PCR test.
In general, PCR results will be available between 3 and 12 hours after a sample is received.
NOTE: This change is for the CRMC laboratory location, as well as for FHSH, whose influenza
testing is referred to CRMC. It does not apply to Clovis (CCMC). At least near-term, initial
influenza testing will continue to be by Rapid EIA, reflexing to PCR testing at CRMC within 24
hours.
For additional information or questions, please contact:



Dr. David Slater, Laboratory Medical Director, dslatermd@communitymedical.org
Hap Morrissey, Administrative Laboratory Director, 459-6504, gmorrissey@communitymedical.org
Marilyn Mitchell, Microbiology Supervisor, 459-2436, mmitchell@communitymedical.org
P a t i e n t S a t i s f a c t i o n – W h y S h o u l d I C a r e?
The Alphabet Soup of CG-CAHPS, H-CAHPS and ED-CAHPS
&
Common Sense Communication and the Connection to the Patient Experience
Jeff Morris, MD, FACS, MBA – The Studer Group
SAVE THE DATE
Dr. Jeff Morris is a Board Certified Orthopaedic & Hand Surgeon (Canada), who has lived and practiced in
Ohio for the past 24 years. After completing his MBA at Kent State University Dr. Morris served as a VPMA
for a local community hospital. When that hospital merged with Summa Health System, he served as the
internal physician champion and helped elevate the culture of service and enhanced communication giving
them a substantial advantage over others in the area. This resulted in significant improvement in physician
and employee engagement as well as in the patients’ perception of the quality of care being delivered.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
DATE:
Wednesday, February 18th
TIME:
Registration & Social Hour
Symposium
All physicians
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LOCATION:
H. Marcus Radin Conference Center
on the Clovis Community campus
RSVP:
Jessica Follansbee at (559) 324-4002 or
E-mail JFollansbee@communitymedical.org
CME:
2.0 Applied for
Invitation to follow
N e p h r o l o g y S y m p o s i u m:
NEPHROLOGY UPDATE FOR
PRIMARY CARE: SERIES 1
SAVE THE DATE
Hemant Dhingra, MD – Course Chair
Speakers:

Richard Glassrock, MD – Emeritus Professor at Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

Ajay Singh, MD – Associate Dean for Global Education, Harvard Medical School

Richard Lafayette, MD – Associate Professor of Medicine/Nephrology and Director of Glomerular Disease Center,
Stanford University Medical Center

Kam Kalantar, MD – Professor of Medicine, UC Irvine, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of
Public Health

Angelo De Mattos, MD – Associate Professor, Chief of Transplant Nephrology, Medical Director of Kidney Pancreas
Transplant Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center

Ram Dukkapati, MD – Associate Professor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine and Medical Director, Interventional
Nephrology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Anuja Shah, MD – Assistant Professor at The David Geffen School of Medicine
DATE:
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Registration 7 am - 8 am
Symposium 8:15 am – 2 pm
Lunch will be provided
TARGET AUDIENCE:
All physicians
LOCATION:
H. Marcus Radin Conference Center
CME:
on the Clovis Community campus
RSVP:
Kelley Prins at (559) 324-4725 or
E-mail kprins@communitymedical.org
Applied for
Invitation to follow