Policies and Procedures

Sample Submission

• Routine samples should be submitted between 8AM and 5:30PM weekdays and 8AM and 11AM on weekends. Evening technicians are for emergencies and critical care cases only. Routine work and research cases are to be done during regular daytime hours. Submission of research samples must be pre-arranged with the laboratory supervisor.
• All samples brought to the laboratory should be identified by the case number and owner name. Patient cards must be used on all forms--- no hand written forms except STAT and Emergency.
• Unlabeled specimens will be discarded with NO exception!
• Samples should be accompanied by the appropriate form and forms should be clocked-in so that the time and day submitted are printed on the form.
• Please provide adequate patient history and specimen information on the submittal form. This helps us insure reliable results.
• STAT designation should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies.
• ASAP designation should be reserved for cases in which laboratory results are needed rapidly for treatment or diagnosis of critical patients.
• Samples without STAT or ASAP designation will generally be reported out within 2 hours.