STL Correspondence & Bulletins
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 We continue to receive from submitters out of date forms as well as the F40-A form, which is not for TB Elimination program use.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.
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THANK YOU
Posted: August 16, 2023
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
Scheduled Clinical Computer Down Time
STL is scheduled to implement an upgrade to our clinical Orchard LIS computer system on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. At that time, our system will not be accessible to look up patients or their results. We will work diligently to report Chemistry and CBC results before 4:00. The system should be up and running Thursday morning by 8:00 am.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact STL Clinical Department at (956)364-8752 or (956)364-8751.
Posted: August 16, 2023
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
Chemistry Testing Resuming
STL has resumed Chemistry testing, and specimens collected from June 23-June 30 have been tested and most results reported. We are continuing to report results, and this may take a few days.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact STL Clinical Department at (956)364-8752 or (956)364-8751.
Posted: July 14, 2023
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
Interrupted Chemistry Testing
STL is unable to perform Chemistry testing at this time due to a series of events that has left our Chemistry analyzer inoperable. We have been and are continuing to work on the instrument repair, but still are having problems with the analyzer performance. We are keeping the samples we have already received preserved, but we cannot accept Chemistry specimens until the analyzer is running and verified for testing. Specimens we have received so far have been frozen and will be held for testing.
Testing affected includes those listed under the Chem Panels and Chemistry sections of the STL requisition. This includes Comprehensive Metabolic Panels, Hepatic Panels, and Hemoglobin A1Cs.
CBC testing is not affected, and we can accept those specimens.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact STL Clinical Department at (956)364-8752 or (956)364-8751.
Posted: June 30, 2023
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
Independence Day Holiday Closure
South Texas Laboratory in Harlingen will be closed Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
TB Elimination submitters, please do not collect or ship specimens on Monday, July 3. Due to the extreme heat, ice packs may not stay frozen and specimen quality will be affected and will be rejected.
Cameron and Hidalgo County submitters, please deliver specimens by 3:00 pm on Monday, July 3 to ensure testing is completed.
THE LABORATORY WILL RESUME NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS ON
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
PLEASE CALL THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT WITH ANY QUESTIONS:
- 956-364-8751 or 956-364-8752 (Clinical)
- 956-364-8750 (Serology)
- 956-364-8753 (TB)
- 956-364-8369 (Emergency Preparedness)
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THANK YOU
Posted: June 15, 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
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.
If you have any questions or issues, please feel free to contact Corrine Gonzales at (956)364-8751 or at corrine.gonzales@dshs.texas.gov
Thank you.
Posted: April 26, 2023
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
Inclement Weather Notice
TB Elimination specimen shipments are processed in the Fed-Ex hub located in Memphis, Tennessee before delivery to Harlingen. Inclement weather will affect Memphis on Thursday evening, December 22, with an expected low of 4°F with snow showers.
This may affect Fed-Ex operations and could potentially cause a delay in shipping and delivery on Friday, as Harlingen will also be affected by the weather. Please take these potential shipping delays into consideration, as clinical specimens drawn and shipped to STL on Thursday, December 22 may result in specimen rejections.
Please call the appropriate department with any questions:
- 956-364-8751 or 956-364-8752 (Clinical)
- 956-364-8750 (Serology)
- 956-364-8753 (TB Mycobacteriology)
- 956-364-8369 (Emergency Preparedness)
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Posted: December 20, 2022
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
Thanksgiving Holiday Closure
South Texas Laboratory in Harlingen will be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, 2022.
Specimens received on Wednesday, November 23 via Fed-Ex will be tested, and results reported the same day. Do not collect and ship specimens on Wednesday, November 23.
CAMERON AND HIDALGO COUNTY SUBMITTERS:
PLEASE DELIVER SPECIMENS BY 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 23 to ensure testing is completed before the holiday closure.
The laboratory will resume normal business hours on Monday, November 28, 2022
Please call the appropriate department with any questions:
- 956-364-8751 or 956-364-8752 (Clinical)
- 956-364-8750 (Serology)
- 956-364-8753 (TB Mycobacteriology)
- 956-364-8369 (Emergency Preparedness)
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Posted: November 17, 2022
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory - Veterans’ Day Holiday Closure
South Texas Laboratory in Harlingen will be closed Friday, November 11, 2022.
TB Elimination submitters, please do not ship specimens on Thursday, November 10, 2022.
Cameron and Hidalgo County submitters, please deliver specimens by 3:00 pm on Thursday, November 10 to ensure testing is completed.
The Laboratory Will Resume Normal Business Hours On Monday, November 14, 2022.
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Posted: Oct 31, 2022
DSHS-South Texas Laboratory
Shortage of EDTA Tubes for CBC/Hemoglobin A1C
There is an unavailability of EDTA (purple top) tubes amongst our various vendors and we do not have a confirmed date of when we will receive our order of tubes. We are limited to the low inventory in stock, and we will be stringent on supplying tubes to our submitters.
If you have an avenue to order tubes, please do so. If we run out of tubes, we will send out another notification.
Posted: June 27, 2022
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
- Please 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
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