What is changing and which tests will be affected?
As part of ongoing technology replacement planning, LifeLabs will be transferring analyses of a number of hormone and tumor marker tests from the Siemens Immulite chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer to the Roche Cobas e602 electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay platform. Data from the literature and LifeLabs in-house validation studies indicate improved precision and analytical sensitivity may be expected using the replacement electro-chemiluminescent immunoassays.
Table 1 lists the analytes that will be moved to the new platform. A number of these have assay-dependent reference intervals, which will be adjusted accordingly based on correlation with the previous methodology, manufacturers’ data and reference interval studies. The new reference intervals will be included in patients’ reports with interpretative comments indicating the technology change.
Table 1. Tests that will be transferred to the Roche Cobas platform