[LabUpdates] Laboratory Formulary Committee Updates - Folate testing and ESR testing

[Matthew Elkins]

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Medicine and laboratory testing are constantly changing.  The Laboratory Formulary Committee regularly sends out emails with new updates and changes.


Serum Folate Testing change: Folate deficiency is very rare in the general US population.  Serum folate (Epic order LAB69) testing is appropriate in specific patient populations, but testing is not indicated for most patients.  To encourage appropriate utilization, serum folate testing will be a Tier 2 assay for inpatient testing starting 10/17/2023.  Please see the attached guidance for additional details.


Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Testing change: ESR (LAB322) is a non-specific marker of inflammation, with little indication for testing in most patients.  C-reactive protein (CRP; LAB149) is the recommended analyte to measure and track for most patients.  Some specific diagnoses do require measurement of ESR for initial diagnosis and to monitor response to treatment.  Testing ESR more frequently than once per week is very rarely indicated.  Please see the attached guidance for additional details.



For prior guidances, please visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://upstate0.sharepoint.com/sites/LaboratoryFormularyCommitteeLabchanges__;!!GobTDDpD7A!LEcWq_zVwaMc_TVYZyM1VOfOWP3-MCFcJAn0He3s0YlaihWjcpepHk0DNT1aV-Iro2dWBnTJH4Zs1cXhgZ1l4i7TBlc5$ <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/upstate0.sharepoint.com/sites/LaboratoryFormularyCommitteeLabchanges__;!!GobTDDpD7A!fMqwKEI3JlieL_eF-Vo4vMVj2PNzfXcL0GsxYMLCbL6cXpbRqzmyQKWIxbV1BBgJ8OlmOsFv$>


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