FAQ

Please select from the following:

1. How long is my specimen good for if I need to order a crossmatch?
2. What tube do I need to draw for a specific test?
3. When should I draw the trough specimen for a therapeutic drug?
4. Can I add a test to a specimen already in the lab?
5. Where are my test results?
6. Whom do call when I have a problem?
7. What is the reference range for this test?
8. What does “Not Valued” mean?
9. I ordered my labs for 5 am, and it is 9 am and no one has come and collected the blood?
10. Why are the tests I ordered several days ago cancelled? I still want this test.
11. I now want my patient’s routine tests that are in the lab to be run STAT.
12. Why is a particular test not available STAT?
13. The Urine Drug screen results show “Positive Unconfirmed” what does that mean?
14. Why does a patient who was recently discharged with lab orders need to re-register before a sample can be collected?
15. Why can't I see the result of the 2nd (or 3rd) Miscellaneous Sent Out collected at the same date/time in PowerChart Flowsheet?

1. How long is my specimen good for if I need to order a crossmatch?
   A: If a specimen has already been collected for the crossmatch, it expires at midnight of the third day (for example: collection date/time: 1/1/06 0600 expires 1/4/06 2359.)

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2. What tube do I need to draw for a specific test?
   A: Collection requirements can be found by entering the test name in the Procedure Catalog Viewer icon in PowerChart.

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3. When should I draw the trough specimen for a therapeutic drug?
   A: Peak and trough information is found by entering the test name in the Procedure Catalog Viewer in LLUCIS.

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4. Can I add a test to a specimen already in the lab?
   A: It depends on whether the specimen type is compatible, if it is still viable and if the quantity is sufficient. Contact the laboratory at extension 44400, option #2

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5. Where are my test results?
   A: Test results are available in Powerchart flowsheet only upon verification of the results by the Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Go to the Orders tab in Powerchart to check for current status. Orders in the Dispatch and In Lab status indicate that a specimen is either awaiting collection or awaiting test performance, respectively. STATs are generally available 60 minutes after they are logged into the Laboratory Information System. Routine tests are generally available within 2-4 hours for most tests. If you would like turn around information on a particular test, access the Test Availability document found in the Clinical Information of our website.

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6. Whom do call when I have a problem?
   A: Call 44400 or page the Supervisor on duty at Beeper #8300.

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7. What is the reference range for this test?
   A: This information can be found by entering the test name in the Procedure Catalog Viewer in LLUCIS. Reference ranges are also available on tests in Flowsheet in PowerChart, usually by double-clicking the result value.

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8. What does “Not Valued” mean?
   A: Double-Click the “Not Valued” result field; the value should be in the Result Comment tab. Certain tests that are performed by our referral laboratory electronically transfer results into certain result fields, but the field can only occupy a certain number of characters, if this exceeds the limit, the results are placed in the Result Comment.

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9. I ordered my labs for 5 am, and it is 9 am and no one has come and collected the blood?
   A: First, verify in PowerChart that the order is for Lab Collect. If it is Nurse Collect, these orders will not appear for the lab’s collection list. If it is a lab collect, there could have been a delay in collections (difficult stick-sending another Venipuncturists, patient not in room-will return, a group of tests ordered/added at a different time, or the collection labels may have been misplaced). It is the responsibility of the Venipucturists to communicate with the caregiver of any delays Otherwise, call extension 44400 and ask for assistance.

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10. Why are the tests I ordered several days ago cancelled?
    A: I still want this test. Tests are cancelled by the laboratory if no specimen was received within 3 days. Please reorder test in PowerChart if needed. The laboratory may cancel tests if the order has not been collected within 72 hours (3 days). Sometimes tests are cancelled because it is temporarily unavailable and may have been re-ordered by the lab as a Miscellaneous Send Out.

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11. I now want my patient’s routine tests that are in the lab to be run STAT.
    A: It is not possible to change the status of a test already In-Lab to STAT in LLUCIS, however call the lab (Ext 44400) for assistance in expediting a routine test to STAT.

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12. Why is a particular test not available STAT?
    A: Tests which do not appear on the Downtime Test Menu or the Test Availability link are likely not available on a STAT basis. Call 44400 for assistance.

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13. The Urine Drug screen results show “Positive Unconfirmed” what does that mean?
    A: “Positive Unconfirmed” means this drug category will not be confirmed; it is the final result. The laboratory only confirms Amphetamines.

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14. Why does a patient who was recently discharged with lab orders need to re-register before a sample can be collected?
    A: When an inpatient is discharged, the patient is to be informed that they need to re-register at the Outpatient Registration/Cashier (in the Lobby) after discharge because their status is now Out Patient , and their In Patient account/encounter has been closed.

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15. Why can't I see the result of the 2nd (or 3rd) Miscellaneous Send Out collected at the same date/time in PowerChart Flowsheet?
    A: Multiple orders for the same orderable (typically Miscellaneous Send Out) collected at the same time will seem to show one cell in Powerchart (Patient Value cell), but in order to view all the results the user must click on the "NEXT" button to view the other results.

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