Articles

News Articles

27Feb

Confirmatory Testing Delay for HIV-1 Western Blot and HIV-2 EIA

Lindsey Houghton | 27 Feb, 2020 |

Currently, there are limited supplies of the reagents used for HIV-1 Western Blot and HIV-2 EIA testing. In order to conserve the remaining reagent, a controlled process of batch testing was implemented. Therefore, you will likely see additional delays in receiving these supplemental test results.Read about our plan to mitigate this on the Communications page by clicking this link: Communications&l...

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...

24Feb

New Learning Center with New Content Launches on March 30!

O'Dina Hurlburt | 24 Feb, 2020 |

A new Learning Center website will launch on Monday, March 30, 2020. While the link to the new Learning Center will remain the same mycts.org/Resources/At-A-Glance under “Training”, the hosting provider will change as will the look and feel of the new website. Users will login as they do today to access courses, personal reports and certificates.Check out the Communication page for the complete details by clicking the link:

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:

06Jan

National Blood Donor Month – January 2020

O'Dina Hurlburt | 06 Jan, 2020 |

That’s just one of the reasons that National Blood Donor Month, which has taken place each January since 1970, is such an important observance.Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for many people. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, pla...

23Dec

Reminder- Check flights and cargo hours for the New Year's Day Holiday

O'Dina Hurlburt | 23 Dec, 2019 |

As a friendly reminder, airlines often change their routine flights and cargo hours for holidays. We recommend you check with your couriers, airline carriers, and Fed-Ex or UPS if applicable to verify hours for the upcoming New Year's Day holiday so that you can avoid any issues with transportation of your samples to CTS. Happy New Year!

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

17Dec

Reminder- Check flights and cargo hours for the Christmas Day Holiday

O'Dina Hurlburt | 17 Dec, 2019 |

As a friendly reminder, airlines often change their routine flights and cargo hours for holidays. We recommend you check with your couriers, airline carriers, and Fed-Ex or UPS if applicable to verify hours for the upcoming Christmas Day holiday so that you can avoid any issues with transportation of your samples to CTS. Happy Holidays!

09Dec

CTS Phoenix Implements New Laboratory Information System

O'Dina Hurlburt | 09 Dec, 2019 |

On December 9, 2019, the new CTS Laboratory Information System successfully implemented in Phoenix. We completed any pending result uploads and resumed scheduled result uploads. Congratulations on this important success!