Upgrades to Lab Equipment and Changes in Reference Ranges
UW Medicine is upgrading our lab equipment to reduce downtime and provide results sooner. As we replace equipment, you may notice changes between your old and new test results.
Both the old and new test results are accurate. What’s changing are the reference ranges — the values used to determine whether a result is normal or abnormal. These reference ranges appear with your results in MyChart to help you interpret them accurately. Both old and new results clearly show whether your results fall within the normal range.
Most test results will not change. Some of the changes are so modest they do not require calling out.
When changes in reference ranges are significant, MyChart will display results from both the old equipment (Beckman) and the new equipment (Roche), as shown in this example:
Results may also appear on separate graphs in the “Trend Results” feature in MyChart.
Upgrades to lab equipment will continue into 2027, adding even greater scalability and efficiency to our operations.
If you have any questions about your lab results, please ask your care team.
Timeline
The new equipment is being installed in stages. The time frames below reflect when the new equipment is expected to come online, resulting in possible changes to reference ranges. This schedule will be updated with specific dates as the information becomes available.
| Laboratory location | When to expect changes in reference ranges in your results |
|---|---|
| Renton Central Laboratory | Mid-September 2026 |
| Harborview Medical Center | Late September 2026 |
| UW Medical Center – Montlake | November 2026 |
| UW Medical Center – Northwest | December 2026 |
Frequently asked questions
Why is UW Medicine changing how test results are interpreted?
UW Medicine knows that getting accurate test results fast is important to our patients, so we are upgrading our laboratory equipment. This transition began in June 2026 and is continuing into 2027. As part of this transition, some test results will have different reference ranges — the set of values that determine whether a test result is considered normal or abnormal. Both the old and new test results are accurate.
Why is the lab equipment being changed?
The new equipment is less likely to break down, so we can deliver test results sooner and more consistently. This helps to ensure your care team can review results with you during your visit and to reduce delays in getting the care you need.
How will the new lab equipment affect my test results?
For most tests, reference ranges — the values used to determine what is considered normal for a lab test — will have little or no change. However, some tests on the new equipment use different reference ranges, so your lab results may look different from your past lab results.
Your MyChart results will display the correct reference ranges to help you interpret them, and your care team will contact you if your results need any follow-up.
Will there be differences between my test results during the changeover?
If some of your tests are performed on the existing equipment and others on the new equipment — which is more likely to happen if you visit different lab locations — your results may look different because the two systems use different ranges, even though both provide accurate results.
For tests with significantly different reference ranges, MyChart will label results from the new equipment (Roche) and results from the previous equipment as (Beckman). These results may also appear on separate graphs in the “Trend Results” feature in MyChart.
What will happen to my previous test results?
All test results are a permanent part of your medical record and will always be available in MyChart for you and your care team to review.
Will I still be able to track my results over time?
Yes. For tests with the same or similar reference ranges, results from the previous and new equipment continue to appear together in MyChart and on the same “Trend Results” graph.
For tests with larger differences in the reference ranges, results from the new equipment and previous equipment will display separately in MyChart. You will still be able to track results over time, but the graph will restart with the first result from the new equipment.
Can my care team review my results before they are released to me?
Yes. In MyChart, you can choose to see test results immediately or wait until your care team reviews them first. The default setting is to release test results as soon as they are available.
To change this setting, go to Account Settings > Communication Preferences in MyChart and select either “Show me test results as soon as possible” or “Wait to show me test results.” If you choose to wait and your care team has not reviewed your results within four days, the results will be automatically released to you without comments from your care team.
Who should I contact if I have questions about my test results?
Please contact your care team with any questions about your test results.