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Archive by author: Lindsey HoughtonReturn

26Feb

Join us for a Babesia webinar!

Lindsey Houghton | 26 Feb, 2020 |

As communicated on January 21, 2020, CTS will implement the licensed Grifols Babesia test for samples received on April 20, at the Charlotte, Dallas, Phoenix, St. Louis and Tampa laboratories. Babesia is a selective pooled NAT test, required for all blood donations collected by May 2020, in 14 States and the District of Columbia. To help you understand the requirements, CTS will host a Babesia Implementation and Review webinar on March 3, 2020 at 11:00 am CST. If you are interested in atten...

28Jan

CTS to Implement Licensed Babesia testing

Lindsey Houghton | 28 Jan, 2020 |

In response to the FDA guidance document for Babesia, CTS will implement the licensed Grifols Babesia test for samples received on April 20, 2020 at the Charlotte, Dallas, Phoenix, St. Louis and Tampa laboratories. Be watching for details on an upcoming webinar that will provide you with an overview of implementing this testing.Check out the Communication page for the complete details by clicking the link:

28Jan

Upcoming HCV Testing Algorithm Change

Lindsey Houghton | 28 Jan, 2020 |

FDA Guidance titled “Further Testing of Donations that are Reactive on a Licensed Donor Screening Test for Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus; Guidance for Industry” was released on October 2, 2019 and recommends that CTS modify our current HCV reflex testing algorithm to support these best practices. The new algorithm will take effect on April 20, 2020.Check out the Communication page for the complete details by clicking the link:

19Dec

Special Testing Laboratory Test Result Reporting Change

Lindsey Houghton | 19 Dec, 2019 |

An exciting enhancement is implementing January 20, 2020 in our Special Testing laboratory as we move away from sending confirmatory results via fax and implement sending them directly to your email. Check out the Communication page for the complete details by clicking the link: Communications

14Oct

CTS exhibiting at AABB in San Antonio this weekend!

Lindsey Houghton | 14 Oct, 2019 |

As a reminder, CTS will be exhibiting this weekend at the AABB Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. Please stop by the CTS booth #732 to say hello and grab some CTS swag for you and your staff! In appreciation of your partnership, CTS will be hosting a client reception on Saturday night at Margaritaville. Stop by the booth for details, or email Lindsey or O'dina for an invite. We can't wait to see everyone!

30May

Seasonal Monitoring for WNV to begin June 1, 2019

Lindsey Houghton | 30 May, 2019 |

Seasonal monitoring of epidemic triggers for West Nile Virus (WNV) NAT tested donations will begin June 1 and continue through October 31, 2019. Should your facility have a reactive donation, CTS will send the WNV Alert email to inform you of your WNV reactive samples and request donor information. If you receive this email, please reply within 12 hours with the needed donor information (home city, state and zip code) as well as blood donation product type.Again this year, CTS has distributed th...

01May

CTS Implements HLA Class I and II Testing on the Gemini

Lindsey Houghton | 01 May, 2019 |

CTS successfully implemented Donor-Screen HLA® Class I and II testing on the Stratec Biomedical AG Gemini on Monday, April 29th. As previously communicated, the Immucor assay and sample requirements are the same, and the package insert has been modified to state the assay is specific to the Stratec Gemini instrument. The new package insert, assay history list, and platform history list are now available on our website.

01Apr

Updated Sample Acceptability Document

Lindsey Houghton | 01 Apr, 2019 |

CTS was recently notified that one of the tubes listed in the Sample Acceptability document, the pink top Greiner tube with the clear label, product #46243, is no longer available. The table has been updated to reflect the acceptable tube types available from the manufacturer.

You can check out the updated acceptable tube types here by selecting the Reference tab: At-A-Glance

26Feb

Procedure for pouring off samples if shipments will be extremely delayed

Lindsey Houghton | 26 Feb, 2019 |

As winter weather continues to move through parts of the US, we would like to remind you it may be necessary to aliquot your purple top EDTA sample if samples will not arrive at a CTS laboratory within 70 hours of collection.You can check out the Pour Off Tube Requirements here by selecting the Reference tab: At-A-GlanceIf you have any questions about this process after reviewing the require...

14Feb

CTS to Implement Donor HLA testing on the Stratec Gemini Instrument

Lindsey Houghton | 14 Feb, 2019 |

On April 29, 2019, CTS will begin performing Donor-Screen HLA® Class I and II testing on the Stratec Biomedical AG Gemini. This instrumentation change is necessary as Bio-Rad is discontinuing service on our existing QuickStep instrumentation. Although the Immucor assay and sample requirements will remain the same, the package insert has been modified to state the assay is specific to the Stratec Gemini instrument. The new package insert, assay history list, and platform history list wil...