ChildLab Policies
Policies regarding Physician Orders are as follows: Federal regulations require a signed physician order for each patient sent for phlebotomy and each test performed.
CRITICAL, ALERT AND STAT RESULTS REPORTING POLICIES
Critical Test Values
Definition: A critical value is, “A laboratory result which represents a pathophysiologic state at such a variance with normal as to be life-threatening unless some action is taken in a very short time and in which the state may not be readily detectable or highly suspected by the clinical physician.”1 as defined by G.D. Lundberg in 19721. Critical values are denoted with an asterisk in the Laboratory Information System and patient reports.
2. Critical values must be called immediately to a physician or advanced practice nurse (APN).
3. When critical values are phone reported, the receiver will be asked to write down the reported patient identifiers and lab result(s) and then read this reported information back to the laboratory person providing the critical result.
4. Click HERE for a list of defined critical values.
Alert Test Values
1. Alert values are values to be determined by the laboratory that are not “critical” but are far enough outside of normal ranges that a patient care provider should be notified.
2. Alert values are also denoted with an asterisk in the Laboratory Information System and patient reports.
3. Outpatient alert values are to be called within 2 hours during the hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Alert values will not be called during the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m
4. Click HERE for a defined list of Alert Values
Stat Results
Upon complete of the STAT results they will be faxed to the office or requested fax number via Callback. Outpatient STATs are tests the physician has requested “STAT” on the order. Outpatient STAT’s will not be called unless the physician has requested that the result be called on the order.
SPECIMEN RETENTION/TEST ADDITION POLICY
Most patient samples are retained in the laboratory for a minimum of 7 days. If an additional test is requested, it may be possible to use the specimen initially submitted to the laboratory (dependent upon sample type, volume and stability). Please contact ChildLab as soon as possible, (614) 722-5477 or (800) 934-6575. A form will be sent that requires a physician signature for the test added on.
TEST CANCELLATION POLICY
In the event a test has been ordered in error, please contact ChildLab at(614) 722-5477 or (800) 934-6575 as soon as possible. A test cancellation with credit will occur if results have not been produced.
REPEAT DETERMINATIONS POLICY
Should the clinician determine that a result is inconsistent with a patient's condition, the Reference Laboratory will repeat the test at no additional charge. Please contact ChildLab (614) 722-5477 or (800) 934-6575 as soon as possible.
UNLISTED TESTS/REFERENCE LABORATORIES POLICY
Tests not listed include low volume tests, newly added test procedures and rare or unusual tests performed only through College of American Pathologist's (CAP) accredited reference laboratories. If a specific test is not found, please call (614) 722-5477 or (800) 934-6575.
VERBAL RESULTS POLICY
Verbal results may be given to the Authorized Persons when they call ChildLab.
FAXED RESULTS POLICY
1. Requested fax results can be given to Authorized Persons.
2. Some physicians receive scheduled faxed reports on a daily basis.
UNACCEPTABLE SAMPLES POLICY
1. The ChildLab Client Services staff is responsible for notifying physicians or other appropriate medical care personnel of unacceptable (QNS, wrong tube, clotted, etc.) samples.
2. STAT testing: The ChildLab Client Services staff will IMMEDIATELY notify the physician or other appropriate medical care personnel when STAT samples are unacceptable for testing.
3. ROUTINE testing: The ChildLab Client Services staff will notify the physician or other appropriate medical care personnel when samples are unacceptable for testing. This notification will be performed the same day, unless the office is closed and then the office will be notified on the next business day.