In the event that the physician is unavailable to receive the result, the Laboratory Medical Director will be notified in order to take the next steps to ensure that the patient receives the proper care in a timely manner. After hours, contact the switchboard operator at the desired facility to page the Pathologist on-call or consult the Oncall Scheduling system.

All laboratory tests requested by an authorized health care provider are tested and reported. If a test is not performed for any reason, the reason is documented and the physician is notified. Missing laboratory reports could be due to a variety of reasons.

If no results are available after the expected time, please contact the lab by email or by phone for further investigation. Reference ranges for individual tests are stated on the patient report, specific for the age and birth sex of the patient, taking into account biological variation.

As test methodologies vary, the reference range will reflect the current appropriate range for that test. This Measurement Uncertainty MU Table provides estimates of MU for all quantitative methods. MU is estimated for each analyte using precision data obtained from observed quality control results prior to the implementation of a new method and 6 months after any method change.

Contact ihlabquality interiorhealth. Body image refers to how a person sees or perceives their appearance, and the feelings associated with that viewpoint. As humans, we often compare…. In a series of landmark studies, the Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that by more than 1.

Five teens have been selected as winners for the Take a Breath: Teen Voices on Tobacco, Cannabis and Vaping poster contest. Youth in grades…. Receive news and alert posts, and Stories IH blog posts, right to your inbox! Share Your Feedback. All fields are required unless stated.

How Can We Help You How Can We Help You? General Feedback Care Compliment or Concern Website Careers Media Board of Directors. First Name. Last Name. Email Address. Phone optional. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

This form is not intended to be used to communicate personal health-care information. Latest Alerts. Latest Alerts 2. New Temporary service interruption at CMH emergency department. New Temporary service interruption at Nicola Valley Hospital emergency department.

Explore this page. Ordering a lab test Sample collection protocols Test results. Laboratory Services Guide Learn about getting lab tests for patients.

Ordering a lab test Outpatient Laboratory tests may only be ordered by a physician, midwife, nurse practitioner, certified rural RN or dentist in accordance with the Clinical Practice Guidelines and Protocols developed by the BC Medical Association and the Ministry of Health.

Locum physicians. Prioritizing lab test orders. Patient preparation. Patients may be asked to return at a later date if: The test ordered must be shipped outside of Interior Health The sample will not be stable until the next shipping opportunity View patient collection instructions.

Lab requisitions. IH Laboratory Requisition Outpatient Cardiac Diagnostic Requisition Additional requisitions from a referral testing facility may be required. Standing orders. Standing orders must only be completed on requisition forms approved under the Laboratory Services Act.

Requisitions must include: Complete patient and practitioner information Start date and expiry date Frequency of testing Additional practitioners for copy to results Locum providers must include the name of the provider they are covering If the details of an existing standing order need to be changed, a new standing order must be completed by the referring practitioner and a notation made to indicate it is a replacement.

Additional information Standing orders are for routine testing only. Standing orders are not transferrable to other providers. When a provider leaves their practice, communication to the laboratory is required to cancel any active standing orders. Standing orders are discontinued immediately when a provider leaves their practice includes locums.

Patients affected by this must see a new provider for a new standing order request. Multiple standing orders are accepted for a single patient. However, providers should be aware of multiple standing orders on their patients.

By combining orders, the designated provider may receive test results that have been ordered by other practitioners following the care of the patient. INR monthly and PRN as requested by physician. Sample collection protocols Samples must be labelled correctly for acceptance in the laboratory.

Sample labelling criteria Sample acceptance and rejection criteria. Non-blood sample collection. Guidelines for standard non-blood sample collection Patient-collected samples Collection containers are available from your local lab.

View the guidelines for body fluid sample collections View the guidelines for CSF collections Bone marrow Bone Marrow requests must follow clinical guidelines determined by an IH Pathologist or Specialist with expertise in Hematology.

COVID sample collection. Anatomical Pathology Refer to the Department specific page for information about sample identification, collection and handling. Microbiology Refer to the Department specific page for information about sample identification, collection and handling. Transfusion Medicine Refer to the Department specific page for more information.

Guidelines for handling and transporting samples to the lab Check sample container lid is tightened and place into a secondary leak-proof container such as a biohazard sealable bag to contain spillage or breakage in the event of damage to the container.

Include samples from only one patient and one testing department in each biohazard bag. Do not put Microbiology and Anatomical Pathology or Cytology samples in the same bag. One requisition per patient must accompany all samples collected at the same time.

For Anatomical Pathology, Cytology or Microbiology samples, clearly indicate site or container number for multiple samples from the same site on the container. Place requisitions accompanying the specimen in the pouch of the biohazard bag separate from the specimen to prevent contamination.

Specimens transported to another facility must be in a sturdy puncture-proof outer container and packaged according to the Transport of Dangerous Goods TDG legislation.

Transport specimens within the acceptable time frame for analysis and at the required temperature. Blood specimens should be delivered to the lab within 2 hours of collection.

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Due to reagent supply issues, EBV IgM serology is currently delayed and is expected to return to normal by the end of March The delayed TAT is expected to be two to three weeks past the stated TAT.

EBV IgG will continue to be reported with a note indicating EBV IgM results are to follow. Consistent with O. This page provides a directory of resources that provide comprehensive instructions related to laboratory tests performed by Public Health Ontario. This information is for use by qualified health care providers only.

Click on an item below to access testing information including: testing indications, specimen collection and handling, requisitions and kit ordering, special requirements, test methods, turnaround times and reporting.

Login or Register. Skip to Main Content. Health Topics. Laboratory Services. Scheduled Maintenance Alert — Website Login and Registration As a result of scheduled maintenance on February 12 between and p. Save Share Print. Home Laboratory Services.

Test Information Index. NOTICE: Expected delay in Epstein Barr Virus EBV IgM Serology Turnaround Time TAT Due to reagent supply issues, EBV IgM serology is currently delayed and is expected to return to normal by the end of March A Acanthamoeba Acute Severe Hepatitis of Unknown Origin in Children — see Hepatitis Acute — Unknown Origin in Children Adenovirus — Enteric — see Gastroenteritis —Stool Viruses Adenovirus-Respiratory and Conjunctival — see Respiratory Viruses including influenza Aerobic Colony Count ACC — Food — see Food Testing Aeromonas — Enteric culture — see Enteric - Bacterial Culture Aluminum Amoebic — Serology Anaplasma Anaplasma phagocytophilum — Serology Angiostrongylus Anisakis Antimicrobial susceptibility testing — Aerobic bacteria Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing — Anaerobes Arthropods e.

abortus, B. melitensis, B. suis — Confirmation Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei — Confirmation Return to index navigation C Calicivirus Norovirus, Sapovirus — Enteric — see Gastroenteritis —Stool Viruses California Serogroup Serology and PCR Campylobacter — Confirmation and Speciation — see Enteric — Bacteria — Confirmatory Testing Campylobacter — Enteric Culture — see Enteric - Bacterial Culture Campylobacter spp.

Isospora belli — Faeces Cytomegalovirus — Detection — Real Time PCR Cytomegalovirus — Serology Return to index navigation D Demodex folliculorum — see Arthropods e. Mites, Lice, Fleas, Maggots, and Ticks — Microscopy Dengue Virus Dientamoeba fragilis — Faeces Diphtheria — Respiratory Diphtheria — Serology Diphtheria culture — Skin lesions Diphyllobothrium species Drinking Water Testing — Official Agencies Drinking Water Testing — Private Citizen Return to index navigation E E.

All fields are required unless stated. How Can We Help You How Can We Help You? General Feedback Care Compliment or Concern Website Careers Media Board of Directors. First Name. Last Name.

Email Address. Phone optional. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

This form is not intended to be used to communicate personal health-care information. Latest Alerts. Latest Alerts 2. New Temporary service interruption at CMH emergency department. New Temporary service interruption at Nicola Valley Hospital emergency department.

Explore this page. Ordering a lab test Sample collection protocols Test results. Laboratory Services Guide Learn about getting lab tests for patients. Ordering a lab test Outpatient Laboratory tests may only be ordered by a physician, midwife, nurse practitioner, certified rural RN or dentist in accordance with the Clinical Practice Guidelines and Protocols developed by the BC Medical Association and the Ministry of Health.

Locum physicians. Prioritizing lab test orders. Patient preparation. Patients may be asked to return at a later date if: The test ordered must be shipped outside of Interior Health The sample will not be stable until the next shipping opportunity View patient collection instructions.

Lab requisitions. IH Laboratory Requisition Outpatient Cardiac Diagnostic Requisition Additional requisitions from a referral testing facility may be required. Standing orders. Standing orders must only be completed on requisition forms approved under the Laboratory Services Act.

Requisitions must include: Complete patient and practitioner information Start date and expiry date Frequency of testing Additional practitioners for copy to results Locum providers must include the name of the provider they are covering If the details of an existing standing order need to be changed, a new standing order must be completed by the referring practitioner and a notation made to indicate it is a replacement.

Additional information Standing orders are for routine testing only. Standing orders are not transferrable to other providers. When a provider leaves their practice, communication to the laboratory is required to cancel any active standing orders. Standing orders are discontinued immediately when a provider leaves their practice includes locums.

Patients affected by this must see a new provider for a new standing order request. Multiple standing orders are accepted for a single patient. However, providers should be aware of multiple standing orders on their patients.

By combining orders, the designated provider may receive test results that have been ordered by other practitioners following the care of the patient. INR monthly and PRN as requested by physician. Sample collection protocols Samples must be labelled correctly for acceptance in the laboratory.

Sample labelling criteria Sample acceptance and rejection criteria. Non-blood sample collection. Guidelines for standard non-blood sample collection Patient-collected samples Collection containers are available from your local lab.

View the guidelines for body fluid sample collections View the guidelines for CSF collections Bone marrow Bone Marrow requests must follow clinical guidelines determined by an IH Pathologist or Specialist with expertise in Hematology.

COVID sample collection. Anatomical Pathology Refer to the Department specific page for information about sample identification, collection and handling. Microbiology Refer to the Department specific page for information about sample identification, collection and handling.

Transfusion Medicine Refer to the Department specific page for more information. Guidelines for handling and transporting samples to the lab Check sample container lid is tightened and place into a secondary leak-proof container such as a biohazard sealable bag to contain spillage or breakage in the event of damage to the container.

Include samples from only one patient and one testing department in each biohazard bag. Do not put Microbiology and Anatomical Pathology or Cytology samples in the same bag. OAHPP collection of personal health information on this form is collected under the authority of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, s.

These forms generally contain patient demographic and registration information e. name, address, date of birth, health number , diagnosis, the provider's name and contact information, test requested and reason for testing. Manager Public Health Ontario Customer Service Centre — Laboratory Services University Avenue, Suite Toronto, ON M5G 1M1 Phone: Toll free: Protecting Your Information: If you are using this online service, it is important to ensure that you do not leave the computer unattended while accessing the service.

Before leaving the computer, it is also important that you fully exit the application, clear your browser's cache and close down your browser. This will ensure that no one else can access any personal health information you may have entered.

This page provides a list of test requisition forms for requesting laboratory tests from Public Health Ontario. This information is for use by qualified health care providers only.

customerservicecentre oahpp. Login or Register. Skip to Main Content. Rob C, Reynolds J. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, OraQuick Rapid HIV Test for Oral Fluid — Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed November Interviews professional titles and positions are listed as they were at the time of the interviews.

Rebecca Elon, MD, MPH. Medical Director of North Arundel Senior Care, Severna Park, Maryland. Joy Goldberger, MS, CCLS. Saralynn Pruett, MT ASCP. Phlebotomy Supervisor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota. Karen Szafran, CPNP.

Nurse practitioner, pediatric practice, Alexandria, Virginia. Myra Daly, PT ASCP. Phlebotomy Supervisor, Northwest Community Healthcare, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Joan Kosiek, MT ASCP SH. Point-of-care consultant, Northwest Community Healthcare, Arlington Heights, Illinois. Richard Flaherty.

Executive Vice-President, American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Washington, District of Columbia. This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests.

Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

Please allow business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team. Share Print. Send Feedback. Last modified on Jan 27, Collecting Samples for Laboratory Testing Board Approved.

Samples naturally eliminated from the body Some samples such as urine, feces, and sputum can be collected as the body naturally eliminates them, while semen can be collected by the patient. Examples Semen Male patients ejaculate into a specimen container, avoiding lubricants, condoms, or any other potentially contaminating materials.

Sputum Patients are instructed to cough up sputum from as far down in the lungs as possible. Stool Patients usually collect this sample themselves during toileting, following instructions to prevent the sample from becoming contaminated from other material in the toilet bowl.

Urine Most urine specimens are collected by having the patient urinate into a container or receptacle. Saliva This type of sample may be collected using a swab or, if a larger volume is needed for testing, patients may be instructed to expectorate into a container without generating sputum.

Oral fluid This is a combination of saliva and oral mucosal transudate material crossing the buccal mucosa from the capillaries that is also collected from the mouth. Sweat This type of sample may be collected using a special sweat stimulation procedure that is painless and allows sweat to be collected into a plastic coil of tubing or onto a piece of gauze or filter paper.

Secretions and tissues from the female reproductive system Samples of vaginal secretions are obtained by running a cotton swab over the walls of the vagina; cervical cells for a Pap test are obtained using a cotton swab and spatula or a tiny brush.

Secretions and fluids from the nose or throat The specimen is collected by running a swab over the area of interest and processed for testing, such as cultures. Samples from open wounds and sores If a wound or sore is located in the outer layer of skin, the specimen is typically collected on a swab by brushing the swab over the area and gathering a sample of fluid or pus.

Other Hair e. Blood Blood samples can be collected from blood vessels capillaries, veins, and sometimes arteries by trained phlebotomists or medical personnel. Tissue biopsy Samples of tissue may be obtained from a number of different body sites, such as breast, lung, lymph node, or skin.

A slight pinch may be felt at the site of needle insertion. Usually no recovery time is required and slight discomfort may be experienced afterwards. An excisional biopsy is a minor surgical procedure in which an incision is made and a portion or all of the tissue is cut from the site.

A closed biopsy is a procedure in which a small incision is made and an instrument is inserted to help guide the surgeon to the appropriate site to obtain the sample.

These biopsies are usually performed in a hospital operating room. A local or general anesthetic is used, depending on the procedure, so the patient remains comfortable. If a general anesthetic is used, recovery may take one to several hours.

Cerebrospinal fluid CSF A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is obtained by lumbar puncture, often called a spinal tap. Other body fluids Other body fluids such as synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, and pericardial fluid are collected using procedures similar to that used for CSF in that they require aspiration of a sample of the fluid through a needle into a collection vessel.

Amniotic fluid A sample of amniotic fluid is obtained using a procedure called amniocentesis to detect and diagnose certain birth defects, genetic diseases, and chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus.

Sources Used in Current Review KidsHealth. Sources Used in Previous Reviews Pagana K, Pagana T. Interviews professional titles and positions are listed as they were at the time of the interviews Rebecca Elon, MD, MPH.

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