Effective on January 18th, 2022, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics will consolidate hCG testing to a single assay.  This occurs in conjunction with ongoing changes to newer generation clinical chemistry instrumentation and assay methods.  The following are the main impacts of the changes:    

• All serum/plasma hCG testing will use the HCG, SERUM, QUANTITATIVE [LAB142] order code.  This assay recognizes the hCG produced in pregnancy as well as other forms of hCG found in tumors of germ cells, ovaries, bladder, pancreas, stomach, lungs, and liver and, therefore, is suitable for hCG monitoring in pregnancy and malignancy.
• For patients currently monitored using the alternative hCG test, HCG – PREGNANCY, SERUM, QUANTITATIVE [LAB1148], hCG results using the above consolidated test may be slightly higher. 
• This change affects quantitative serum/plasma hCG testing performed at the main hospital, Iowa River Landing, and North Dodge laboratory locations.
• All order sets and preference lists will be updated with the HCG, SERUM, QUANTITATIVE [LAB142] order code.

At the main hospital only, urine hCG testing performed in the Core Laboratory (PREGNANCY SCREEN, QUALITATIVE, URINE [LAB1166]) will now require a separate urine tube.  Add-on testing will not be allowed.  This follows recommended best practice to reduce chance of false positive urine pregnancy testing by lowering risk of cross-contamination.

Questions should be directed to Anna Merrill, PhD (678-8400, *7046, anna-merrill@uiowa.edu) or Matthew Krasowski, MD, PhD (384-9380, *1171, matthew-krasowski@uiowa.edu).