UCH Clinical Laboratory | University of Colorado Hospital

Resources

The Clinical Laboratory of University of Colorado Hospital in metro Denver is accredited by the College of American Pathologists and all relevant state and federal agencies.

>> See our “Pathology and Laboratory Medicine” page for other UCHealth laboratory locations

Laboratory specialty activities are directed by experts in their area of clinical specialization who are available for consultation. Medical Directors of any specialty may be called directly (see “Staff Contacts”) or contacted through the Clinical Laboratory at 720-848-4401.

The Clinical Laboratory does not handle nor transport anatomical specimens. All cytology, surgical, and other anatomical specimens, and inquiry regarding these are the responsibility of the University of Colorado Denver Department of Pathology. Please go to UCD Department of Pathology and click “Our Services” for specimen submission guidelines.

Reporting concerns about laboratory operations

Contact Clinical Laboratory Management (see “Staff contacts” page). If you prefer, or if the laboratory has not addressed your concerns, contact:
College of American Pathologists (CAP)

Accreditation and certification

Clinical Laboratory at Anschutz Medical Campus

Lone Tree Health Center Laboratory

Metro Denver Point of Care Testing Program

Free-standing Emergency Department Laboratories

Lab Organizational Charts

Free-Standing Emergency Departments:

Arvada-McIntyre Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Arvada-Ralston Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Aurora-Mississippi Ave Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Aurora-Smoky Hill Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Commerce City Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Firestone Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Green Valley Ranch Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Highlands Ranch Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Littleton Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Longmont Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Parker Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Thornton Emergency Department Organizational Chart

Referral-Send Out Testing

Referral-Send out Testing

Certain tests are not listed in the laboratory test catalog or on the requisition forms. If the specific test is not routinely performed through the Clinical Laboratory, the laboratory will arrange for its performance at a reference laboratory. Call 720-848-7029.

The Clinical Laboratory will refer specimens to licensed/accredited referral laboratories only for test procedures not available on site. The name of the laboratory actually performing the examination will be indicated on the laboratory report form.

The UCH Clinical Laboratory has mandatory processes for selection and approval of outside reference laboratories and reference lab testing. If any unit or clinic bypasses the Clinical Laboratory Specimen Management area to send or take a specimen to an outside laboratory directly, the hospital/outside laboratory will not pay the laboratory for the test.

Clinicians may submit this request form for new tests to the Lab Orders Optimization Committee: Request for New Tests

Compliance

Every laboratory test must be ordered under the license of a physician or other authorized provider and must be requested using the appropriate electronic ordering system (e.g. Epic), or if an ordering system is unavailable, on the appropriate requisition form.

Note: Medicare generally does not cover routine screening tests or services when a “rule-out” diagnosis is provided. Code the condition(s) to the highest degree of certainty for that encounter/visit, such as signs, symptoms, abnormal test results, exposure to communicable disease or other reasons for the visit.

Annual Laboratory Compliance Notice to Providers

CPT Code Changes for 2018

UCH Clinical Laboratory Reflex Test Protocols

Custom Profiles at UCH Clinical Laboratory

Compliance Statement, Laboratory-developed Tests (LDTs):

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by University of Colorado Hospital Authority. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The laboratory is regulated under CLIA as qualified to perform high-complexity testing. This test is used for clinical purposes. It should not be regarded as investigational or for research.

Annual Notice to Providers – Longs Peak Hospital

Annual Notice to Providers – Broomfield Hospital

Critical values

CRITICAL VALUES LIST

CRITICAL TESTS

Critical tests are called to the caregiver regardless of the result obtained. The Clinical Laboratory does not currently define any tests as “critical.”

CRITICAL VALUES

Click here to review the University of Colorado Hospital “Critical Results/Values Notification and Documentation” policy.

TEST

LOW
Less than: <, Less than or equal to: ≤

HIGH
Greater than: >, Greater than or equal to: ≥

Absolute Neutrophil Count
(See table below for Hepatology Clinic and Oncology exceptions.)

<1.0 x 10⁹/L

Acetaminophen

≥40.0 ug/mL

AFB Culture or Smear, Cerebrospinal Fluid

Positive

Amikacin trough

>10 ug/mL

Antibody, red blood cell, unexpected and clinically significant, STAT and surgical blood transfusions

Positive

Antithrombin III Activity

<20 U/dL

APTT

>159 seconds

Bicarbonate (HCO₃), arterial blood gas

≤12 mmol/L

≥40 mmol/L

Bilirubin, total (newborns 0-1 month)

≥20.0 mg/dL

Blood Culture

Positive

Blood culture, blood product associated with transfusion reaction

Positive

Blood parasites (Malaria, Babesia, Microfilaria, Trypanosomes, etc.)

Positive

Calcium

<6.0 mg/dL

>12.0 mg/dL

Carbamazepine

≥15.0 ug/mL

Carboxyhemoglobin

≥12%

CO2

≤9 mmol/L

≥40 mmol/L

CO2, total (tCO2), arterial blood gas

≤12 mmol/L

≥40 mmol/L

Coagulation Factor Activities ( II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII and vWF)

<20 U/dL

Cryptococcal Antigen

Positive

Culture, following sources:

Any source (Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Balamuthia, Nocardia, partial acid fast organisms only)
Blood
CSF
Eye (Gram negative rod only)

Positive

Cyclosporine

>400 ng/mL

Digoxin

≥3.0 ng/mL

Ethanol

≥400 mg/dL

Ethylene glycol

≥3 mg/dL

Factor Inhibitors

>0.5 U/mL

Fibrinogen

<100 mg/dL

Gentamicin trough

≥2.00 ug/mL

Gentamycin peak

≥12.0 ug/mL

Gentamycin random

≥12.0 ug/mL

Glucose

≤40 mg/dL

≥500 mg/dL

Gram Stain, following sources:

Body fluids (ascites, CSF, paracentesis, peritoneal)
Tissues (brain, epidural, eye, heart)
Specimens submitted from Surgery
Blood products associated with transfusion reaction

Positive

Hematocrit
(See table below for Hepatology Clinic and Oncology exceptions.)

<24 %

>60%

Hemoglobin
(See table below for Hepatology Clinic and Oncology exceptions.)

<8 gm/dL

>20 gm/dL

Heparin Associated Platelet Antibodies

Positive

Heparin Level

>1.2 U/mL

INR

≥6.0

Ionized Calcium

≤0.75 mmol/L

≥1.66 mmol/L

Isopropanol

≥5 mg/dL

Ketones (infants under 6 months old)

Lidocaine

>9 ug/mL

Lithium

> 1.5 mmol/dL

Low Molecular Weight (LMW) Heparin Level

≥1.7 U/mL

Magnesium

≤1.2 mg/dL

≥6.0 mg/dL

Methanol

>5 mg/dL

Methemoglobin

≥3.0%

Methotrexate, 24 Hours

>5 µmol/L

Methotrexate, 48 Hours

>0.5 µmol/L

pCO₂

≤20 mmHg

≥70 mmHg

PCR, following sources (viruses):

CSF
Blood (HSV, VZV, Parvovirus, Enterovirus)
Amniotic
Peritoneal
Pleural fluid
Eye including conjunctiva, aqueous vitreous
BAL (CMV, EBV, VZV)
Tissue biopsy other than skin

Positive

Pentobarbital

>50 ug/mL

PH, Arterial

≤7.200

≥7.600

Phenobarbital

≥50.0 ug/mL

Phenytoin

≥30.0 ug/mL

Phenytoin, Free

≥4.0 ug/mL

Phosphorus

≤1.0 mg/dL

Plasminogen, age >6 months

<20 U/dL

Plasminogen, age 0-6 months

<10 U/dL

Platelets
(See table below for Hepatology Clinic and Oncology exceptions)

<50 x 10⁹/L

>600 x 10⁹/L

PO₂, Arterial

≤39 mmHg

Potassium

≤2.5 mmol/L

≥6.4 mmol/L

Protein C Activity, age >4 yrs

<20 ug/dL

Protein C Activity, age 0-4 yrs

<10 ug/dL

Protein C Clot

<20 ug/dL

Protein S Clot

<20 ug/dL

Protein S Free

<20 ug/dL

Protein S Total

<20 ug/dL

Reducing Substances (infants under 6 months old)

Positive

Salicylate

≥40.0 mg/dL

Sirolimus

>30 ng/mL

Sodium

≤120 mmol/L

≥160 mmol/L

Tacrolimus

>25 ng/mL

Theophylline

≥30.0 ug/mL

Thiocyanate

>50 ug/mL

Tobramycin trough

≥2.0 ug/mL

Transfusion reaction investigation, hemolytic

Positive

Triglycerides

≥1500 mg/dL

Triglycerides (Dermatology Clinic only)

≥800 mg/dL

Valproic Acid

≥150.0 ug/mL

Vancomycin, random and peak

≥80.0 ug/mL

Vancomycin, trough

≥35.0 ug/mL

Viral culture, following sources:

CSF
Blood
Amniotic
Peritoneal
Pleural
Eye (conjunctiva, aqueous vitreous)
Tissue biopsy other than skin

Positive for CMV, HSV, VZV, or Enterovirus

Viral culture, source BAL

Positive for CMV, HSV, or VZV

WBC
(See table below for Hepatology Clinic and Oncology exceptions.)

<1.5 x 10⁹/L

>30 x 10⁹/L

Critical Values – Hepatology Clinic and Oncology Patients Only

Results are always called

Platelets

<25 x 10⁹/L

>600 x 10⁹/L

Hemoglobin

<7 gm/dL

>20 gm/dL

Hematocrit

<21%

>60%

Results called when criteria are met

WBC

<1.5 x 10⁹/L

>30 x 10⁹/L

ANC

<1.0 x 10⁹/L

WBC (White Blood Cell Count) and ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) are called to Hepatology Clinic and Oncology caregivers when:

It is the first time the critical value is detected on the patient.
The patient has not had a similar critical value within the previous 24 hours.
The test was not ordered in the previous 24 hours.
Previous result within 24 hours was not a critical value. (The patient’s result has changed from a critical value to a non-critical value, then back to a critical value.)

Positive test results considered significant, but not defined as critical will be called to the caregiver on the same day that the results are available. These results are:

D-dimer (Outpatients only; excludes patients in Emergency Department) ≥ 500 ng FEU/mL
Positive AFB smears
Positive AFB cultures other than M. gordonae
Positive Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatidis, or Histoplasma capsulatum DNA probes
Positive cultures for bacteria and fungus from body fluids and tissues (normally sterile sites)

Illustrated collection guides

Blood Culture Collection Guide

Neonatal Blood Collection Guide

Right Swab for the Job

Specimen Collection Tube Guide

Stool Collection Guide

Tips for Improving Heelstick Collection Technique

Urine Specimen Collection System Guide

Location information and hours

Mailing Addresses

University of Colorado Hospital
Clinical Laboratory, Mail Stop A022
Leprino Building, Room 253
P.O. Box 6510
12401 E. 17th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80045

University of Colorado Hospital
Transfusion Service, Mail Stop A022
Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion, Room 2.500.A
P.O. Box 6510
12605 E. 16th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80045

University of Colorado Hospital
Lone Tree Health Center Laboratory, Mailstop F746
9548 Park Meadows Drive, Room 356
Lone Tree, CO 80124

Clinical Locations and Hours

Administration
(Leprino 292)

Phone: 720-848-7088

Fax: 720-848-7079

Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
(excludes holidays)

Clinical Laboratory
(Leprino 253)

Phone: 720-848-4401

Fax: 720-848-0904

Open 24/7

Clinical Lab Inquiry and Results
(Leprino 250)

Phone: 720-848-4401

Fax: 720-848-7080

Open 24/7

Lone Tree Laboratory
(Lone Tree 356)

Phone: 720-553-1118

Blood draw scheduling:
720-848-2200

Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
(excludes holidays)

Microbiology
(Leprino 176)

Phone: 720-848-7084

Open 24/7

Molecular Diagnostics
(Leprino 160)

Phone: 720-848-6892

Open 24/7

Operating Room Blood Gas Lab
(AIP 2.405.28)

Phone: 720-848-7086

Cell: 720-848-5309

Pager: 303-266-5040

Monday through Friday
7 a.m to 11 p.m.
(all other hours are
covered on an
“on-call” basis)

Blood Bank Transfusion Service
(AIP 2.500.A)

Phone: 720-848-4444

Fax: 720-848-4407

Open 24/7

Virology
(Leprino 176)

Phone: 720-848-7085

Open 24/7

News and updates

News

Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Caring for Pregnant Women with Possible Zika Virus Exposure July 2017

Test Updates

2018-10-29 Nucleated RBC Reference Range Update

2018-10-01 CSF and Body Fluid Cell Counts

2018-09-7 Quantiferon Gold PLUS

2018-10-15 Venous Blood Gas Reporting

2018-09-04 Coagulation Reference Range Updates

2018-09-03 Flow Cytometry Leukemia/Lymphoma 10-color

2018-08-28 BK Virus PCR

2018-08-27 Thrombin Time, Dilute Thrombin Time Reference Range Updates

2018-08-14 B2M, Ceruloplasmin, Kappa-Lambda Free Light Chains

2018-08-02 Urine Creatinine

2018-08-13 QuantiFERON TB Gold PLUS

2018-07-16 Molecular Diagnostics Testing Changes

2018-06-18 Prior Approval for GI PCR Test

2018-06-15 Gastric pH Discontinued

2018-05-21 Kappa:Lambda Free Light Chains

2018-05-15 New GFR Calculation for Creatinine

2018-04-16 Product Alert, BD Blue Top Tubes

2018-04-02 Mixed Alcohols

2018-03-28 Free Plasma Hemoglobin Reportable Range

2018-02-20 Maternal Serum Quad Screen

2018-02-19 TSH Reference Range Update

2018-01-30 Treponema Antibodies Reflex Testing

2018-01-23 Celiac Disease Reflex Panel

2018-01-18 Tacrolimus Reportable Range

2018-01-10 Procalcitonin

2017-12-18 Testing Days for Kappa/Lambda, B2M and Ceruloplasmin

2017-12-15 MTHFR PCR Testing Discontinued

2017-11-15 Troponin Reporting Change – Updated

2017-11-15 Viral Culture Discontinuation

2017-11-15 Anti-CAR Antibody

2017-11-15 Troponin Reporting Change

2017-10-31 HIV PCR Specimen Type Discontinuation

2017-10-13 Lamellar Body Count Discontinued

2017-09-21 New Lactate Sepsis Orders

2017-10-13 Reactive Lymph Nomenclature Change

2017-10-03 Red Cell Antibodies and Crossmatch Delays

2017-09-19 Pentobarbital Delay in Testing

2017-09-13 Syphilis and HIV Test Method Change

2017-09-05 Testosterone Reference Range Change

2017-08-23 Coagulation Testing Reference Range Updates

2017-08-15 Discontinued Test: Reducing Sugars

2017-08-08 New Hematology Instruments and Changes

2017-08-07 Biotin Supplements Affect Test Results

2017-07-24 O.R. Blood Gas Lab Move

2017-07-15 LSPG and Lamellar Body Count Updates

2017-07-16 Methotrexate Update

2017-07-07 Methotrexate Information for Outreach Clients Only

2017-06-21 Beta-hydroxybutyrate Replaces Serum Ketones

2017-06-01 Special Chemistry Testing/Reporting Schedule Changes

2017-06-01 Viral Culture and FA Testing Changes

2017-05-15 Cancer Antigen 27.29 Values Over 450 U/mL

2017-03-07 New Von Willebrand Panel

2017-06-01 Viral Culture Testing Changes

2017-02-22 Trichomonas vaginalis Testing

2017-02-17 Acetaminophen Delays in Testing

2017-02-22 Dilute Thrombin Time Reference Range

2017-02-22 Hexagonal Phospholipid Neutralization Reference Range

2017-02-20 Ceruloplasmin

2017-01-15 Helicobacter pylori

2017-01-15 Test Catalog Information

2017-01-15 Rubeola IgG, Mumps IgG and Treponema Antibody Testing

Click here for past News and Updates

Archive news and updates

Point of care testing forms

Point of Care Testing Forms have been moved to the “Forms and Documents” page of the UCH Intranet (the Source). Click here to go to Point of Care Testing forms.

Specimen collecting and handling guide

Click here to view the specimen collection and handling guide

Staff contacts

Medical Directors and Doctoral Staff

Edward R. Ashwood, MD
Professor of Pathology; Director, Clinical Laboratory
Location: LOB 299
Phone: 720-848-7064

Gregary Bocsi, DO, MS, BS
Assistant Professor of Pathology; Director, Chemistry; Director, Clinical Laboratory at Lone Tree Health Center
Location: LOB 270
Phone: 720-848-7050

Mary P. Berg, MD
Associate Professor of Pathology; Director, Transfusion Medicine
Location: AIP 2.500
Phone: 720-848-4402

Geza S. Bodor, MD
Clinical Professor; Director, Toxicology
Location: LOB 229
Phone: 720-848-6032

Toby C. Cornish, MD, PhD
Medical Director, Laboratory Information System
Location: AO1 2109
Phone: 303-724-3703

Nicole L. Draper, MD
Assistant Professor of Pathology; Assistant Director, Transfusion Medicine
Location: AIP 2.500
Phone: 720-848-7068

Kathryn L. Hassell, MD
Professor/Director, School of Medicine Pediatrics; Consultant, Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
Location: Education II South, Room 3211
Phone: 303-724-9070

Joel Kniep, MD
Assistant Professor of Pathology; Assistant Director, Transfusion Medicine
Location: AIP 2.500
Phone: 720-848-8157

Ronald B. Lepoff, MD
Professor Emeritus, Department of Pathology
Location: LOB 288
Phone: 720-848-7044

Stuart E. Lind, MD
Professor; Director, Coagulation
Location: Research Complex I – North, Room 5116
Phone: 303-724-1383

Nancy E. Madinger, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathology; Director, Microbiology
Location: Research Complex II, Room 11008 and LOB 199
Phone: 303-724-4937 and 720-848-7047

Bruce McCollister, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pathology; Associate Medical Director, Microbiology
Location: LOB 229
Phone: 720-848-7045

Julie A. Rosser, DO
Medical Director, Hematology and Referral Testing
Location: LOB 274
Phone: 720-848-1551

Jeffrey T. Schowinsky, MD
Assistant Professor of Pathology; Assistant Medical Director, Flow Cytometry
Location: AIP 3.003
Phone: 720-848-4411

Adriana Weinberg, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine; Director, Virology
Location: Research Complex II, Room 11126 and LOB 152
Phone: 303-724-4480 and 720-848-7054

Clinical Laboratory Administrative Staff

Edward R. Ashwood, MD
Laboratory Director, AMC Clinical Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-7064

Gregary T. Bocsi, DO
Laboratory Director, Lone Tree Health Center Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-7050

Joan Coleman, MBA, MT(ASCP)
Director, Laboratory Services
Phone: 720-848-7062

Karin Ingle, MT(ASCP)
Manager, Laboratory Services, Administration
Phone: 720-848-7059

Paul Dechant, BB (ASCP)
Coordinator, Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-7058

Ingrid Cannon, MT(ASCP)
Coordinator, Laboratory (Transfusion Service)
Phone: 720-848-6920

AnaMaria Pacheco, MT(ASCP)
Coordinator, Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-0411

William Dieterich
Laboratory Administrative Technician
Phone: 720-848-7057

Gretta Golyansky
Laboratory Administrative Technician
Phone: 720-848-7055

Managers

Mary Ellen Boyle, MBA, MT(ASCP)
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Toxicology, Special Chemistry, Coagulation
Phone: 720-848-7067

Jamie Cartwright, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM
Chemistry, Hematology, Flow Cytometry, Urinalysis, Operating Room Laboratory, Lone Tree Health Center Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-6914

Christine Leitner, MT(ASCP)
Chemistry, Hematology, Flow Cytometry, Urinalysis, Operating Room Laboratory, Lone Tree Health Center Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-4408

Veronica Broslawik, MLS(ASCP)^CM
Microbiology, Mycology, Parasitology, Mycobacteriology
Phone: 720-848-7038

Lori Brewster, SV(ASCP)MB^CM
Molecular Diagnostics, Virology
Phone: 720-848-7066

Dianna Pruden, MT(ASCP)SBB^CM
Transfusion Services
Phone: 720-848-4415

Derrick McMillon, MT(ASCP)
Specimen Processing, Marketing/Client Services, Referral Testing
Phone: 720-848-7072

Laboratory Information System

Connie Williamson, MA, MT(ASCP)
Director
Phone: 303-752-8229

Vacant
Manager
Phone: 303-752-5051

Richard Engelbart
Manager
Phone: 970-495-7797

Point-of-Care Testing Program

Carolyn Swartz, MT(ASCP)
Coordinator, Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-7018

Melanie Mackercher, MT(ASCP)
Coordinator, Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-9305

Kathryn Blessman, MLS(ASCP)
Coordinator, Laboratory
Phone: 720-848-7053

Michèle Lachance, MLT(ASCP)^CMM^CM
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Phone: 720-848-7049

Beverly Dutcher, RN
Clinical Laboratory Nurse Educator
Phone: 720-848-7078

Transfusion services

Refer to the policy/procedure “Administration of Blood Components” for patient identification, specimen collection and labeling, and blood administration instructions.

Blood Bank Test Information and Special Instructions

Circular of Information for the Use of Human Blood and Blood Components

Guidelines for Blood Transfusion

Massive Transfusion Protocol

Risks of Blood Transfusion

Form: Physician Order of Autologous and Directed Donation