STL Correspondence & Bulletins
DSHS Laboratory Services Section – Notice to Public
DSHS-SOUTH TEXAS LABORATORY
Memorial Day Holiday Closure:
South Texas Laboratory in Harlingen will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025, in observance of Memorial Day.
THE LABORATORY WILL RESUME NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS ON
Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
To sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins, please go to:
http://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/STL/STLCorrespondenceBulletins.shtm
Posted May 13, 2025
South Texas Laboratory Survey
South Texas Laboratory is dedicated to providing quality customer service and laboratory testing. We have a commitment to continuous improvement and improve our service, please help us by taking 5-10 minutes of your time to provide candid feedback regarding testing performed at STL at the link listed below on our online survey. The survey does not apply to DSHS-Austin Laboratory services.
If you have any questions or issues, please feel free to contact Corrine Gonzales at (956)364-8221 or at corrine.gonzales@dshs.texas.gov
Thank you,
Corrine Treviño-Gonzales B.S. MLS(ASCP)
Clinical/Water Lab Manager
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
1301 S. Rangerville Road
Harlingen, TX 78550
State iPhone: (956) 244-3810
Clinical Department Phone (956) 364-8751
Fax: (956) 412-8794
Email: corrine.gonzales@dshs.texas.gov
Posted April 17, 2025
TB Elimination Program - Clinical Specimen Submission Form Notice
Please forward memo to those collecting specimens and filling out submission forms.
Please use the new F40-TB Elimination (Jan 2025) submission forms for clinical testing (Chemistry and CBCs) and discontinue the use of the F40-A requisition form and previous versions of F40-TB Elimination form immediately. The revised version form contains the current tests approved by the TB Elimination Program and a new layout.
Contact Lab Info at labinfo@dshs.texas.gov for requisition forms prefilled with your current clinic demographics. Please use this opportunity to make updates to contact personnel, addresses and/or phone and fax numbers. South Texas Laboratory does not provide the requisition forms.
Thank you,
Corrine Treviño-Gonzales B.S. MLS(ASCP)
Clinical/Water Lab Manager
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
1301 S. Rangerville Road
Harlingen, TX 78550
State iPhone: (956) 244-3810
Clinical Department Phone (956) 364-8751
Fax: (956) 412-8794
Email: corrine.gonzales@dshs.texas.gov
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted April 15, 2025
TB Elimination Program - Clinical Specimen Submission Form Notice:
Please forward memo to those collecting specimens and filling out submission forms.
Please use the new F40-TB Elimination (Jan 2025) submission forms for clinical testing (Chemistry and CBCs) and discontinue the use of the F40-A requisition form and previous versions of F40-TB Elimination form immediately. The revised version form contains the current tests approved by the TB Elimination Program and a new layout.
Contact Demetrist Wallace at demetrist.wallace@dshs.texas.gov for requisition forms prefilled with your current clinic demographics. Please use this opportunity to make updates to contact personnel, addresses and/or phone and fax numbers.
Thank you,
Corrine Treviño-Gonzales B.S. MLS(ASCP)
Clinical/Water Lab Manager
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
1301 S. Rangerville Road
Harlingen, TX 78550
State iPhone: (956) 244-3810
Clinical Department Phone (956) 364-8751
Fax: (956) 412-8794
Email: corrine.gonzales@dshs.texas.gov
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted April 15, 2025
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory - Weather Closure
South Texas Laboratory (Region 11) will have a delayed opening on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions. FedEx services may be affected due to weather conditions and packages are shipped through the Memphis hub. Please visit FedEx Service Alerts and Shipping Updates for service updates.
Closing Date & Time: January 21st, 2025 – 8:00 a.m.
Re-opening Date & Time: January 22nd, 2025 – 11:00 a.m.
Reason for Delayed Opening: Inclement weather and hazardous travel conditions
Thank you,
Corrine Treviño-Gonzales B.S. MLS(ASCP)
Clinical/Water Lab Manager
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
1301 S. Rangerville Road
Harlingen, TX 78550
State iPhone: (956) 244-3810
Clinical Department Phone (956) 364-8751
Fax: (956) 412-8794
Email: corrine.gonzales@dshs.texas.gov
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted January 22, 2025
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory - Weather Closure
South Texas Laboratory (Region 11) will be closed Tuesday, January 21, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions. FedEx services may be affected due to weather conditions. Please visit FedEx Service Alerts and Shipping Updates for service updates.
Closing Date & Time: January 21st, 2025 – 8:00 a.m.
Re-opening Date & Time January 22nd, 2025 – 8:00 a.m.
Reason for Delayed Opening: Inclement weather and hazardous travel conditions
Thank you,
Corrine Treviño-Gonzales B.S. MLS(ASCP)
Clinical/Water Lab Manager
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
1301 S. Rangerville Road
Harlingen, TX 78550
State iPhone: (956) 244-3810
Clinical Department Phone (956) 364-8751
Fax: (956) 412-8794
Email: corrine.gonzales@dshs.texas.gov
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted January 21, 2025
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory LIMS Downtime
HHSC IT will be installing an upgrade to South Texas Laboratory’s Orchard Enterprise Lab LIMS that is tentatively scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2025, at 12:00 pm. This will take 4-5 hours in which OEL will be unavailable. Lab orders cannot be placed, nor can results be accessed until Tuesday morning. If your facility needs a report, please contact the lab at (956) 364-8751 or (956) 364-8752 before noon.
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted January 07, 2025
Change to the Texas DSHS South Laboratory Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2025
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Laboratory Division has revised laboratory testing and fees to meet business needs. These revisions take effect January 1, 2025.
To view complete details, visit the DSHS Laboratory’s Fee Schedule webpage.
Posted December 31, 2024
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory Christmas and New Year’s Holiday Closures:
South Texas Laboratory will be closed:
- Tuesday, 12/24/24
- Wednesday, 12/25/24
- Thursday, 12/26/24
- Wednesday, 1/01/25
Please do not collect and ship specimens with Fed EX on Monday, 12/23/24.
Cameron County and Hidalgo County Health Departments can collect and deliver specimens to STL on Monday, 12/24.
The Laboratory will be open during normal business hours:
- Monday, 12/23/24
- Friday, 12/27/24
- Monday, 12/30/24
- Tuesday, 12/31/24
- and resume normal business hours on Thursday, 1/02/25.
PLEASE CALL THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT WITH ANY QUESTIONS:
956-364-8751 or 956-364-8752 (Clinical)
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory Thanksgiving Holiday Closure
South Texas Laboratory in Harlingen will be closed at noon on Wednesday, November 27 and all-day Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2024.
Clinical specimens received on Wednesday, November 27 via Fed-Ex will be tested, and results reported the same day. Do not collect and ship specimens on Wednesday, November 27 as they will be delivered to the lab on Monday, December 2 and will be rejected.
CAMERON AND HIDALGO COUNTY SUBMITTERS:
PLEASE DELIVER SPECIMENS BY 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 27 to ensure clinical testing is completed before the holiday closure.
THE LABORATORY WILL RESUME NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS ON
Monday, December 2, 2024
PLEASE CALL THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT WITH ANY QUESTIONS:
- 956-364-8751 or 956-364-8752 (Clinical)
- 956-364-8750 (Serology)
- 956-364-8369 (Emergency Preparedness)
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted November 5, 2024
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory Veterans’ Day Holiday Closure
South Texas Laboratory in Harlingen will be closed Monday, November 11, 2024.
THE LABORATORY WILL RESUME NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS ON
Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
THANK YOU
Posted November 5, 2024
Proposed Fee Schedule Changes for Austin and South Texas Laboratories
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Laboratory is revising laboratory testing and fees to meet business needs. These revisions are proposed to take effect January 1, 2025. Stakeholders may submit comments until December 31, 2024.
To view complete details, visit the DSHS Laboratory’s Fee Schedule webpage.
Posted October 1, 2024
Updates to DSHS Laboratory Fee Schedules, Austin and South Texas Lab
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Laboratory Division has revised laboratory testing and fees to meet business needs. These revisions take effect September 1, 2024.
To view complete details, visit the DSHS Laboratory’s Fee Schedule webpage.
Posted Aug 30, 2024
Proposed Fee Schedule Changes for Austin and South Texas Laboratories
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Laboratory is revising laboratory testing and fees to meet business needs. These revisions are proposed to take effect September 1, 2024. Stakeholders may submit comments until August 31, 2024.
To view complete details, visit the DSHS Laboratory’s Fee Schedule webpage.
Posted May 31, 2024
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory Independence Day Holiday Closure
South Texas Laboratory in Harlingen will be closed Thursday, July 4 AND Friday, July 5, 2024.
TB Elimination submitters, do not collect or ship specimens on Wednesday, July 3. Specimens shipped on Wednesday would not be delivered to STL until Monday, July 8 and those specimens will be rejected.
Cameron and Hidalgo County submitters, deliver specimens by 3:00 pm on Wednesday, July 3 to ensure testing is completed.
The Laboratory will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 8, 2024
PLEASE CALL THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT WITH ANY QUESTIONS:
- 956-364-8751 or 956-364-8752 (Clinical)
- 956-364-8750 (Serology)
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted: May 31, 2024
DSHS South Texas Laboratory Correspondence & Bulletins Update
To better serve our submitters, the DSHS will be renovating the South Texas Laboratory (STL). As a result, the STL will not be accepting specimens for TB testing from April 15, 2022 through Spring of 2024; the anticipated completion date of the renovations. In preparation for the laboratory closure, specimens for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) smear and culture testing should be submitted directly to the Austin Laboratory.
Please Note:
- The STL will not forward TB specimens to the Austin Laboratory during the period of renovation.
- The Austin Laboratory will not accept urine specimens for TB testing.
The following steps are needed to submit specimens to Austin.
Have a DSHS Submitter ID Number If you already have a submitter ID number with the STL, you do not need to get another for the Austin Laboratory.
If you do not already have an account or submitter number, or you need to update information already on file, please download a Submitter ID Number Request Form. Complete all applicable fields and email the completed form to labinfo@dshs.texas.gov, or fax it to (512) 776-7533.
Request Austin Laboratory Specimen Submission Forms South Texas Laboratory F40 Specimen Submission Forms are not acceptable at the Austin Laboratory. Please contact Austin Laboratory Reporting to obtain master copies of the G-MYCO submission forms. View examples of current submission forms and instructions for the Laboratory.
Order Shipping Supplies from the Austin Laboratory Request shipping containers from the Austin laboratory by completing the Austin Laboratory’s G6F Order Form for TB Supplies.
Please Note: South Texas Laboratory supply order forms are not acceptable at the Austin Laboratory due to differences in the shipping products provided by each location.
Shipping Addresses:
For Regular Mail Services
Specimen Receiving: Walter Douglass
Laboratory Services Section, MC 1947
Department of State Health Services
PO Box 149347
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78714-9347
For Overnight/Priority Courier Service
Specimen Receiving: Walter Douglass
Laboratory Services Section,
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3199
- For questions about Submitter ID Numbers and Specimen Submission Forms, please contact
Tiffunee Odoms, Laboratory Reporting Branch Manager
Email:LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: (512)776-7578 or 1-888-963-7111, Ext. 7578,
Fax: (512)776-7533
- For questions about Supply Order Forms and TB Mailers, please contact
John Holcomb, Laboratory Supply Team Lead
Email:John.Holcomb@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: (512)776-2475
Fax:(512) 776-7480
- For general questions about Shipping and Logistics, please contact
Walter Douglass, Specimen Acquisition
Email:Walter.Douglass@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: 512-776-7569
- Note: If your local health department’s TB program has a contract with DSHS’ TB and Hansen’s Disease Unit, please contact tbprogram@dshs.texas.gov for information about the courier service offered through FedEx. A FedEx courier account is required to avail of this service.
Posted: April 02, 2024
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory Clinical Specimen Labeling and Requisitions
The excessive use of tape and improper placement of submitters’ patient demographic labels on the CBC tubes are causing mechanical issues with our CBC analyzer, leading to service calls and potential down time. If labels (with or without tape) are being used, please attach them smoothly to the tube. If the labels (or tape) extend past the tube, please do not adhere tightly to the bottom end of the tube so that we can remove the excess. When we order testing, we add an additional STL label for the analyzer to read and the tubes must sit properly in the instrument’s racks.
Please place your patient demographic labels over the tube label (that contain tube information). We need to look at specimen volume and quality. The pictures are examples of properly labeled specimens.
FOR TB ELIMINATION SUBMITTERS ONLY: Please use the correct specimen requisition form-the F40-TB Elimination Specimen Submission Form (Jan 2022). We continue to receive from submitters out of date forms as well as the F40-A form, which is not for TB Elimination program use. Please email demetrist.wallace@dshs.texas.gov for your clinic’s correct form.
Thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact STL Clinical Department at (956)364-8752 or (956)364-8751.
Sign up to receive e-mail updates for correspondence and bulletins.
Posted: August 16, 2023
Proposed Fee Schedule Changes for Austin and South Texas Laboratories
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Laboratory Services Section (LSS) is revising laboratory testing and fees to meet business needs, with the exception of newborn screening (NBS) fees. These revisions are proposed to take effect September 1, 2023. Stakeholders may submit comments until August 31, 2023.
DSHS anticipates increases to the fee for newborn screening beginning January 1, 2024. The purpose of this increase will be to support increased costs for operations and is not for the addition of any new conditions to the DSHS newborn screening panel. DSHS will provide further details on this expected change in fall 2023.
To view complete details, visit the DSHS Laboratory’s Fee Schedule webpage.
Posted: June 2, 2023
DSHS South Texas Laboratory Correspondence & Bulletins Update
To better serve our submitters, the DSHS will be renovating the South Texas Laboratory (STL). As a result, the STL will not be accepting specimens for TB testing from April 15, 2022 through Spring of 2023; the anticipated completion date of the renovations. In preparation for the laboratory closure, specimens for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) smear and culture testing should be submitted directly to the Austin Laboratory.
Please Note:
- The STL will not forward TB specimens to the Austin Laboratory during the period of renovation.
- The Austin Laboratory will not accept urine specimens for TB testing.
The following steps are needed to submit specimens to Austin.
Have a DSHS Submitter ID Number If you already have a submitter ID number with the STL, you do not need to get another for the Austin Laboratory.
If you do not already have an account or submitter number, or you need to update information already on file, please download a Submitter ID Number Request Form. Complete all applicable fields and email the completed form to labinfo@dshs.texas.gov, or fax it to (512) 776-7533.
Request Austin Laboratory Specimen Submission Forms South Texas Laboratory F40 Specimen Submission Forms are not acceptable at the Austin Laboratory. Please contact Austin Laboratory Reporting to obtain master copies of the G-MYCO submission forms. View examples of current submission forms and instructions for the Laboratory.
Order Shipping Supplies from the Austin Laboratory Request shipping containers from the Austin laboratory by completing the Austin Laboratory’s G6F Order Form for TB Supplies.
Please Note: South Texas Laboratory supply order forms are not acceptable at the Austin Laboratory due to differences in the shipping products provided by each location.
Shipping Addresses:
For Regular Mail Services
Specimen Receiving: Walter Douglass
Laboratory Services Section, MC 1947
Department of State Health Services
PO Box 149347
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78714-9347
For Overnight/Priority Courier Service
Specimen Receiving: Walter Douglass
Laboratory Services Section,
Department of State Health Services
1100 W. 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3199
- For questions about Submitter ID Numbers and Specimen Submission Forms, please contact
Tiffunee Odoms, Laboratory Reporting Branch Manager
Email:LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: (512)776-7578 or 1-888-963-7111, Ext. 7578,
Fax: (512)776-7533
- For questions about Supply Order Forms and TB Mailers, please contact
John Holcomb, Laboratory Supply Team Lead
Email:John.Holcomb@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: (512)776-2475
Fax:(512) 776-7480
- For general questions about Shipping and Logistics, please contact
Walter Douglass, Specimen Acquisition
Email:Walter.Douglass@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: 512-776-7569
- Note: If your local health department’s TB program has a contract with DSHS’ TB and Hansen’s Disease Unit, please contact tbprogram@dshs.texas.gov for information about the courier service offered through FedEx. A FedEx courier account is required to avail of this service.
Posted: April 11, 2022
Renovations of the South Texas Laboratory (STL)
In order to better serve our submitters, we will be conducting renovations of the South Texas Laboratory (STL). In preparation for these renovations, we are asking submitters that submit specimens for tuberculosis testing perform a few tasks so that they can receive TB testing at the Austin laboratory. STL will no longer be able to accept your specimen for TB testing as of April 15, 2022. We do not know when the renovations will be finished but they are scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2023.
During this time, we are asking our submitters to send TB samples for AFB and culture to Austin laboratory directly. In order to submit specimens to the Austin laboratory for TB testing you will need to request to become a submitter to the Austin laboratory (if you do not already have an Austin submitter number), request shipping containers from the Austin laboratory with the proper label and obtain the Austin laboratory submission form (will be provided once you sign up to become an Austin laboratory submitter).
STL will not be able to forward your specimens to the Austin laboratory during this period and so you will need to request to become an Austin laboratory submitter.
This only applies to TB Samples submitted for AFB smear and culture.
NOTE: DSHS Austin Lab will not accept urine specimens for TB testing.
Contacts
To become a submitter and obtain TB submission form
Tiffunee Odoms
Laboratory Reporting Branch Manager
Laboratory Services Section MC 1947
Texas Department of State Health Services
PO Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
Phone: 512-776-6275
Fax: 512-776-7533
To request TB mailing containers
John Holcomb
Lab Supply Team Lead
1100 W. 49th St.
Austin, TX 78756
Phone: 512-776-2475
Fax: 512-776-7480
John.Holcomb@dshs.texas.gov
For shipping and logistical questions
Walter Douglass
Specimen Acquisition
Phone: 512-776-7569
Walter.Douglass@dshs.texas.gov