Articles

04Jan

FDA Updates Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma

Lindsey Houghton | 04 Jan, 2022 |

On December 28, 2021, the FDA updated the emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 convalescent plasma. The update limits the authorization to the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma with high titers of anti -SARS-CoV-2 antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19 in patients with immunosuppressive disease or who are receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Additionally, to help assure the manufacture of high titer COVID-19 convalescent plasma, the revisions to the EUA define a...

19Jul

Sample submission during the national blood shortage

Lindsey Houghton | 19 Jul, 2021 |

Through communications with our clients, CTS is aware of the current national blood shortage. We realize this situation makes it even more critical that we report your results on time. While most test result reporting delays are CTS’ responsibility, there are ways you can help reduce delays.We have noted that some test result delays are associated with an inadequate donor sample set. The two primary causes are when only two tubes instead of three are submitted for routine donations or when...

12May

FDA announces withdrawal of Guidance for ZIKV Testing

Lindsey Houghton | 12 May, 2021 |

We are informing you that the FDA has announced their withdrawal of Guidance for ZIKV Testing. In their announcement, FDA indicated the Zika virus (ZIKV) is no longer a relevant transfusion-transmitted infection (RTTI) under FDA’s regulations, and the available evidence demonstrates that ZIKV no longer has sufficient incidence and/or prevalence to affect the potential donor population. Accordingly, the guidance titled, “Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Zika Viru...

25Oct

Revised Client Forms

Lindsey Houghton | 25 Oct, 2020 |

Just a reminder that the revised client forms implement today! Don't forget to toss your old versions! If you need a refresher on what forms are impacted, you can read about it here: Communications

20Oct

October 20th Update on Ortho Conversion

Lindsey Houghton | 20 Oct, 2020 |

The revised CTS algorithm associated with the Ortho platform is now available for review. Clients receiving routine confirmatory testing will see the two new test codes when we implement the Ortho platform on January 11, 2021, the Abbott Alinity s Anti-HCV and the Genetic Systems HBsAg Confirmatory 3.0.Read all about it on the Communication page by clicking this link: Communications...

14Oct

Phoenix Laboratory Transition to the VISION Analyzer

Lindsey Houghton | 14 Oct, 2020 |

On September 14, 2020, our Phoenix laboratory began performing a portion of our alternate donor antibody screen on the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics VISION Analyzer. This instrumentation change was necessary as Ortho Clinical Diagnostics will be discontinuing support of the existing ProVue instrumentation in the future.We will notify you of the transition date of our other four laboratories. To read more about this change, click here:

02Oct

Update on the Ortho Conversion

Lindsey Houghton | 02 Oct, 2020 |

At CTS, we understand the impact converting to the Ortho viral marker platform has on your operations. As we get closer to our implementation date of January 11, 2021 we are committed to providing you information as it becomes available.Package inserts for the new assays are now available. You can review them on the Communications page by clicking this link: Communications,

14Sep

Emailing Daily Shipment Schedules to CTS

Lindsey Houghton | 14 Sep, 2020 |

CTS lab staff recently participated in a Kaizen and determined emailed Daily Shipment Schedules to be a process improvement. The completion and emailing of the Daily Shipment Schedule (DSS) is an important step when sending sample shipments to CTS for testing. It is important that all necessary information is documented correctly for several reasons. The flight information and box count allow CTS to ensure the entire shipment is received and the information helps us investigate if a shipment doe...

27Jul

Bio-Rad Geenius HIV 1/2 Implementation

Lindsey Houghton | 27 Jul, 2020 |

CTS will implement the Bio-Rad Geenius HIV 1/2 supplemental assay on Monday September 21, 2020. The newly licensed Geenius test is an immunochromatographic assay designed to confirm and differentiate individual antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Types 1 and 2. The assay will be replacing the HIV-1 Western blot and HIV-2 EIA assays which are performed on samples with a reactive result on a licensed HIV 1/2 screening test.Read all about it on the Communication page by clicking this li...

24Jul

CTS Form Updates 2020

Lindsey Houghton | 24 Jul, 2020 |

CTS will be revising some forms in use by clients on October 26, 2020. We do try to limit form changes to once a year when possible. You can review the list of forms revising by clicking this link: Communications