Austin Laboratory Correspondence and Bulletins

Also view South Texas Laboratory Correspondence and Bulletins


DSHS Austin Laboratory Christmas and New Year Holiday Closure Reminder

With the exception of Newborn Screening and Rabies testing, the DSHS Austin Laboratory will be closed, and testing will not occur from Saturday, 12/23/2023 through Tuesday, 12/26/2023. Testing services will resume as normal, Wednesday, 12/27/2023.

  • The Laboratory is closed on New Year’s Day, Monday 01/01/2024.

All submitters are responsible for the timely and appropriate shipping of specimens to the Laboratory.
See below for more details on selected testing. 

Newborn Screening (NBS)

Christmas Closure: Monday 12/25/2023. Testing will resume Tuesday 12/26/2023. New Year Closure: Monday 01/01/2024. Testing will resume Tuesday 01/02/2024.

  • NBS specimens received and accessioned on Saturday, 12/23/2023 and 12/30/2023 will be tested immediately.
  • Healthcare providers may be notified of critical-level preliminary presumptive positive results on Sunday, 12/24/2023 (Christmas Eve) and Sunday, 12/31/2023 (New Year’s Eve).

Submission Reminders:

  • DO NOT DELAY collection or shipment of newborn screening specimens.
  • Ship dried specimens within 24 hours of collection. If mail or courier services are unavailable, ship as soon as possible.
  • DSHS recommends shipping specimens using an overnight or trackable service like USPS priority mail, FedEx, and UPS.

Clinical Chemistry

Christmas Closure: Monday 12/25/2023 and Tuesday 12/26/23. Testing will resume Wednesday 12/27/2023.
New Year Closure: Monday 01/01/2024. Testing will resume Tuesday 01/02/2024.
•    Total hemoglobin, lead, glucose, and lipid/cholesterol specimens must be received by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, 12/22/2023 to complete testing before the holiday closure.
•    DO NOT ship cholesterol, lipid profile, or glucose specimens on Friday 12/22/2023.

Submission Reminders:

•    Specimens submitted for lead and total hemoglobin testing must be received within 14 days of collection.
•    Specimens submitted for glucose, lipid panel, cholesterol, and creatinine testing must be received according to the specimen submission guidelines available at  https://www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/MRS_labtests_toc.shtm.

Environmental Science

•    If you require any priority analysis during the holiday period, please reach out to envsciadmin@dshs.texas.gov.

Microbiology

Christmas Closure: Monday 12/25/2023 and Tuesday 12/26/23. Testing will resume Wednesday 12/27/23.
New Year Closure: Monday 01/01/2024. Testing will resume Tuesday 01/02/24.

Rabies Specimens:

  • Rabies specimens received before 8:00 a.m. Friday, 12/22/2023 will be tested the same day.
    • Results will be available by 5:00 p.m. 
  • Rabies specimens received after 8:00 a.m. Friday, 12/22/2023 will be tested on Saturday 12/23/2023.
    • Submitters of positive results will be notified by 12:00 p.m. Preliminary results will be available by 12:00 p.m., if requested.
    • Final results will be available to submitters on Wednesday, 12/27/2023 by 5:00 p.m.
  • Emergency testing—only by prior arrangement with Rabies testing staff—will be available: Saturday, 12/23/2023; Tuesday, 12/26/23; and Monday, 01/01/24. Call (512) 776-7595 before 4:00 p.m. of the previous day to discuss. Emergency testing is not available on 12/25/23.
    • Specimen receipt by 8:00 a.m. must be guaranteed to ensure same day testing and preliminary results.
  • DO NOT ship specimens for delivery Saturday, 12/23/23 through Tuesday, 12/26/23 or Saturday, 12/30/23 through Monday, 01/01/24. Specimens should be stored at 2ºC – 8ºC until shipping is possible.
  • All other specimens will be tested on Wednesday, 12/27/2023.

Tuberculosis (TB) Specimens:

  • Critical specimens for AFB Smear and NAA testing must be received by 8:30 a.m., Thursday, 12/21/2023 for expedited AFB Smear and NAA test results before the Christmas holiday.

  • DO NOT ship specimens for delivery on Friday, 12/22/2023 through Tuesday, 12/26/2023.
    Refrigerate specimens collected during this period until shipping is possible.
  • Call (512) 776-7342 before 9:00 a.m., Friday, 12/22/2023 for expedited test requests.

Candida auris Swab Specimens:

  • Do not ship swabs for delivery on Friday, 12/22/2023 through Friday, 12/29/2023.

  • Swabs collected during this period must be refrigerated and shipped on cold packs for delivery when the Laboratory is open. Please remember that swabs must be received within 72 hours of collection.

Carbapenem Resistant Organisms Swab Specimens:

  • Do not collect or ship swabs from Thursday, 12/21/2023 through Monday, 12/25/2023.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Specimens:

Bacteriology Water Samples:

  • Will not be accepted at DSHS Laboratory from Friday, 12/22/2023 to Tuesday, 12/26/2023.

  • Will be accepted at DSHS Laboratory from Wednesday, 12/27/2023 to Thursday, 12/28/2023.
  • Will not be accepted at DSHS Laboratory from Friday, 12/29/2023 to Monday, 01/01/2024.
  • Water samples acceptance schedule will resume normal operations Tuesday, 01/02/2024.

All Other Microbiology Specimens or Samples:

  • Do not ship specimens for delivery between Saturday, 12/23/2023 and Tuesday, 12/26/2023. Store specimens collected during this time at an appropriate temperature (e.g., -70°C) or below for clinical virology samples.

  • No tests will be performed from Saturday, 12/23/2023 to Tuesday, 12/26/2023.

Ordering Laboratory Supplies:

Newborn Screening Medicaid/Paid Card Order Requests

  • Priority overnight shipping requests received Thursday, 12/21/2023 will be processed and shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight.

  • All requests received before 12:00 p.m. on Friday, 12/22/2023 will be processed and shipped via FedEx Ground.
  • Requests received after 12:00 p.m. on Friday 12/22/2023 through Tuesday 12/26/2023 will be sent on Wednesday 12/27/2023.

Texas Health Steps/PKU/TB/HIV/C. auris/CRO/GC AST Courier Supply Order Requests

  • All requests received on Thursday 12 /21/2023 will be audited, issued, and shipped via FedEx Ground.
  • Requests received on Friday 12/22/2023 will be audited, issued, and shipped via FedEx Ground on Wednesday 12/27/2023.
  • Requests received on Friday 12/29/2023 will be audited, issued, and shipped on Tuesday 01/02/2024 via FedEx Ground.

***Per FedEx website, FedEx Ground will be closed Saturday 12/23/2023 through Monday 12/25/2023. FedEx Ground will also be closed Saturday 12/30/2023 through Monday 01/01/2024.***

Questions?

Newborn Screening General Inquiries:              (512) 776-7333

Microbiology General Inquiries:                         (512) 776-7599

Clinical Chemistry General Inquiries:                 (512) 776-6236

Newborn Screening:                                           NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.texas.gov

Clinical Chemistry:                                              ClinicalChemistry@dshs.texas.gov

Microbiology Branch:                                          Lab.Microbiology@dshs.texas.gov

Texas AR Lab Network                                        TexasARLN@dshs.texas.gov

Specimen Submission:                                        LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov

Container Preparation:                                        (512) 776-7672; ContainerPrepGroup@dshs.texas.gov

Posted December 13, 2023


DSHS Austin Laboratory Thanksgiving Holiday Closure Reminder

With the exception of Newborn Screening and Rabies testing, the DSHS Austin Laboratory will be closed, and no testing will occur Thursday, 11/23/2023 through Saturday, 11/25/2023. The DSHS Laboratory is completely closed on Sundays. Testing services will resume as normal, Monday, 11/27/2023.
See below for more details on selected testing.

Newborn Screening (NBS)

  • The Newborn Screening Laboratory will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Thursday 11/23/2023 and will resume testing on Friday, 11/24/2023.
  • DO NOT DELAY collection or shipment of newborn screening specimens.
  • Ship dried specimens within 24 hours of collection. If mail or courier services are unavailable, ship as soon as possible. 
  • DSHS recommends shipping specimens using an overnight or trackable service like USPS priority mail, FedEx, and UPS.

Clinical Chemistry

  • Total hemoglobin, lead, glucose, and lipid/cholesterol specimens must be received by Wednesday, 11/22/2023 to complete testing before the holiday closure.
  • DO NOT ship cholesterol, lipid profile, or glucose specimens on Fridays or on the day before a state-observed holiday.

Microbiology

Rabies Specimens:

  • Rabies specimens received after 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, 11/22/2023 will be tested Friday, 11/24/2023. Submitters will be notified of positive results by 12:00 p.m. Friday. All other results will be available Monday 11/27/2023.

  • Emergency testing will be available Friday, 11/24/2023 and Saturday, 11/25/2023 only by prior arrangement with Rabies testing staff. Call (512) 776-7595 before 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, 11/22/2023 to discuss. Specimen receipt must be guaranteed by 8:00 a.m. the morning of testing. Preliminary results will be called out as soon as emergency testing is completed. Final results will be available Monday 11/27/2023.
  • All other specimens will be tested on Monday, 11/27/2023, and results will be available by 5:00 p.m.

Tuberculosis (TB) Specimens:

  • Do not ship specimens for delivery between Wednesday, 11/22/2023 and Saturday, 11/25/2023. Refrigerate specimens collected during this period until shipping is possible.
  • Ensure critical AFB Smear and NAA for M. tuberculosis specimens are delivered by 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, 11/22/2023. 
  • Call (512) 776-7342 before 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 11/22/2023 for expedited test requests.

Candida auris Swab Specimens:

  • Do not ship swabs for delivery from Wednesday, 11/22/2023 to Saturday, 11/24/2023.

Swabs collected during this period must be refrigerated and shipped on cold packs for delivery when Laboratory is open.

Carbapenem Resistant Organisms Swab Specimens:

  • Do not collect or ship swabs from Tuesday, 11/21/2023 to Saturday, 11/24/2023.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Specimens:

  • Do not collect or ship swabs from Tuesday, 11/21/2023 to Saturday, 11/24/2023.

Bacteriology Water Samples:

  • Water samples will not be accepted at DSHS Laboratory from Wednesday, 11/22/2023 to Saturday, 11/25/2023.

All Other Microbiology Specimens or Samples:

  • Do not ship specimens for delivery between Thursday, 11/23/2023 and Saturday, 11/25/2023. Store specimens collected during this time at an appropriate temperature, e.g. -70°C, or below for clinical virology samples. 
  • No tests will be performed from Thursday, 11/23/2023 to Saturday, 11/25/2023.

Ordering Laboratory Supplies:

Newborn Screening Medicaid/Paid Card Order Requests

  • Priority overnight shipping requests received on Wednesday 11/22/2023 will be processed and shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight.
  • All requests received before noon Wednesday 11/22/2023 will be processed and shipped via FedEx Ground.
  • Requests received after noon Wednesday 11/22/2023 through Saturday 11/25/2023 will be sent Monday, 11/27/2023.

Texas Health Steps/PKU/TB/HIV/Courier Supply Order Requests

  • All requests received on Wednesday 11/22/2023 will be audited, issued, and shipped via FedEx Ground.
  • Requests received before 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday 11/22/2023 will be audited, issued, and shipped via FedEx Ground Wednesday afternoon, 11/22/23.
  • Requests received after 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday 11/22/2023 through Sunday 11/26/2023 will be audited, issued, and shipped on Monday 11/27/2023 via FedEx Ground.

***Per FedEx website, FedEx Ground will be closed Thursday 11/23/2023 but will deliver packages Friday 11/24/2023.***

Questions?

Newborn Screening General Inquiries: (512) 776-7333
Microbiology General Inquiries: (512) 776-7599
Clinical Chemistry General Inquiries: (512) 776-6236

Newborn Screening:    NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.texas.gov
Clinical Chemistry:    ClinicalChemistry@dshs.texas.gov
Microbiology Branch:         Lab.Microbiology@dshs.texas.gov
Specimen Submission:     LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov
Container Preparation:     ContainerPrepGroup@dshs.texas.gov 

Posted November 9, 2023


The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Laboratory Division has revised Newborn Screening Laboratory Testing Fees.

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Public Health Laboratory Division has revised newborn screening laboratory testing fees to meet business needs. This revision takes effect January 1, 2024.

The cost of PAID newborn screening (NBS) kits will be increased by 8% (from $63.55 to $68.63). Paid NBS kits, ordered on or after January 1, 2024, would be billed at the new price of $68.63. To view complete details, please visit the DSHS Laboratory’s Fee Schedule webpage.

Posted October 18, 2023


DSHS Austin Laboratory Creatinine Testing Discontinued

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Austin Laboratory discontinued creatinine testing on September 1, 2023.  To view other test menu changes, please visit the DSHS Austin Laboratory Fee Schedule.

For Clinical Chemistry questions or comments:
Call: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 6236    For local calls: 512-776-6236 or 
Email:  clinicalchemistry@dshs.texas.gov
 

Posted September 27, 2023


****Effective Immediately****

Measles IgM Testing Information

Due to delays in the manufacture of Measles IgM EIA kits, the DSHS Laboratory is temporarily unable to perform Measles IgM testing. During this time, all specimens received at DSHS Laboratory requesting this test will be forwarded to Quest Diagnostics laboratory for processing.

Measles IgM test results will continue to be reported from DSHS Laboratory but will include an additional attached report displaying the Quest results.

Please continue to submit specimens for Measles IgM testing to DSHS Laboratory following specimen submission requirements.

DSHS Laboratory anticipates the Measles IgM EIA kits will be available again no later than March 2024. The Laboratory will release a follow-up notification when the issue is resolved.

Questions or Comments?

Call toll-free: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 7760

Call Local: 512-776-7760

Email: Lab.Microbiology@dshs.texas.gov

Posted Sep 21, 2023


NBS Web Application (Neometrics) will be Unavailable from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, to 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2023

IT will be performing network maintenance starting at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023, to
6:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

During this time, the DSHS Newborn Screening Web Application (Neometrics) will be unavailable.

Need help?
Contact DSHS Laboratory:

Phone: 1-888- 963-7111 ext. 7318 or Locally: 512-776-7318
Email Newborn Screening: NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.texas.gov

Posted August 22, 2023

 


DSHS Austin Laboratory Bacteriology Water Samples

Water samples will NOT be accepted for testing on Monday 7/3/2023 and Tuesday 7/4/2023.

The Laboratory will resume normal operating hours for accepting bacteriological water samples on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

After July 5th, water samples will be accepted Monday – Thursday 8am – 4pm (Except Federal Holidays).

For questions or comments: Call toll free: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 7598 or for local calls 512-776-7598

Call 512-776-7598 with any questions.

Posted June 27, 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


2023 Annual DSHS Laboratory Customer Service Survey

A message from Grace Kubin, Ph.D., Director, DSHS Laboratory Services Section.

Your feedback is very important! Each year, the DSHS Laboratory initiates a survey open to all our customers to provide important feedback on laboratory services. Your feedback is used by the laboratory to better understand your needs and identify gaps in service as part of the laboratory's commitment to continuous quality improvement. This year, we are providing a summary of last year’s (2022 survey) results and changes initiated in response to your feedback found on the Laboratory Services Section website here: Laboratory Customer Service Survey.

I encourage you to take the 2023 Laboratory Customer Service Survey. It should not take more than 10 minutes to complete. For questions or concerns, please send an email to: Labinfo@dshs.texas.gov.

 2023 Laboratory Customer Service Survey.

**Feedback will be collected until June 30, 2023**

Posted June 1, 2023


DSHS Laboratory Updates for February 2, 2023

The DSHS Laboratory will resume operations on February 2, 2023 at 1:00 pm.

All samples will be processed as soon as possible once operations resume. However, samples received outside of their acceptability window will be unsatisfactory for testing.

The DSHS Austin Laboratory appreciates the dedication and commitment of healthcare providers to keep Texans healthy.

Contact DSHS Laboratory:
Email: labinfo@dshs.texas.gov 
Email Microbiology: Lab.Microbiology@dshs.texas.gov
Email Newborn Screening: NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.texas.gov
Email Clinical Chemistry: ClinicalChemistry@dshs.texas.gov
 

Posted February 1, 2023


DSHS Laboratory Closure Due to Inclement Weather

Inclement weather in Austin and other parts of Texas may cause a delay of testing at the Department of State Health Services Laboratory.

  • The DSHS Laboratory will be closed on Wednesday, February 01, 2023, due to inclement weather in the Austin area.
  • Please continue to ship all samples per regular guidelines.
  • Courier services may experience delays due to the weather. Please check your courier for local service alerts.
  • All samples will be processed as soon as possible after resumption of normal operations. However, samples received outside of their acceptability window will be unsatisfactory for testing.
  • The laboratory will work at maximum capacity to resolve any specimen backlog.

The DSHS Austin Laboratory appreciates the dedication and commitment of healthcare providers to keep Texans healthy.

Contact DSHS Laboratory:
Email: labinfo@dshs.texas.gov 
Email Microbiology: Lab.Microbiology@dshs.texas.gov
Email Newborn Screening: NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.texas.gov
Email Clinical Chemistry: ClinicalChemistry@dshs.texas.gov

Re-Posted January 31, 2023


DSHS Laboratory Website Upgrade

The Texas Department of State Health Services Website has changed platforms. As a result of these changes, there may be missing or broken links. As we work through the remaining issues, we appreciate your patience. 

In the meantime, if there is any information or documents needed, please feel free to reach out to the appropriate department. 

Need help?
Contact DSHS Laboratory:

Newborn Screening Inquiries: (512) 776-7333
Microbiology Inquiries: (512) 776-7599
Clinical Chemistry Inquiries: (512) 776-6236
Newborn Screening:  NewbornScreeningLab@dshs.texas.gov
Clinical Chemistry:    ClinicalChemistry@dshs.texas.gov
Microbiology Branch:    Lab.Microbiology@dshs.texas.gov
Specimen Submission:  LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov
Container Preparation:  ContainerPrepGroup@dshs.texas.gov 

Posted January 26, 2023