New QHCV test schedule starts Oct. 6

Update reduces reagent waste

Salem Health Laboratories molecular section is modifying its schedule to perform quantitative HCV analysis.

Test affected:

• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) nucleic acid amplification tests (NAA) Quantitative (QNT) **synonym: QHCV
• EPIC test code: LAB7135

Summary of changes:

• Current schedule: QHCV is performed three times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• Updated schedule: Starting Oct. 6, QHCV will be performed two times per week on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Why are we making this change?

The reagents used for QHCV evaluation have a limited use life on the instrument. The laboratory routinely discards more than 50% of the reagent volume from each test kit. This test schedule update will result in a significant reduction of reagent waste and is not expected to negatively impact turnaround time.

Questions?

Contact Salem Health lab client services at 503-814-LABS (5227).

A list of all tests performed at Salem Health Laboratories, including test schedules and turnaround times, is available here.