Document No.

JMC-LAB-02-29

Effectivity
JECSONS MEDICAL CENTER 08 September 2022
Date

Mc Arthur Highway, San Nicolas, Tarlac City Page No. Page 1 of 3

REPORTING OF RESULTS OF LABORATORY TESTS

1.0 Objective

1.1 To establish reporting protocols which will enhance patient safety and assure that laboratory
results are accessible when the physician needs them.

2.0 Scope

2.1 The laboratory recognizes the importance of prompt review and communication of test
results to ensure accurate diagnoses, effective attention and treatment, and optimal patient
care. Standards of service are necessary to ensure optimal utilization of the laboratory and
produce the greatest benefit for the largest number of patients.
2.2 Policies and procedures for reporting test results support effective communication among
providers and between providers and patients.

3.0 Definition

3.1 TAT (Turn-Around-Time): The interval of time between when a sample is received by the
laboratory and the results are reported.
3.2 STAT: Indicates Medical urgency, test results that are urgently needed for the diagnosis or
treatment of the patient. The delay can be life threatening. “STAT testing should be limited
to critical patient needs”.
3.3 ASAP (As Soon As Possible)/Now: Indicates increased Medical requirements, test results
that are needed as soon as possible for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient.
3.4 Routine: Indicates the request is not a medical emergency, tests that are collected and
batched for efficiency and cost effectiveness. The results are not needed on an immediate
basis for diagnosis or treatment.
3.5 In AM: Indicates that these specimens will be collected during early morning rounds and will
be processed with a routine priority
3.6 Timed: Specimens which require collection at a specific time are requested (e.g. post blood
transfusion). These specimens are treated as STAT by the laboratory.
3.7 Add-On Testing: Additional testing may be ordered for or “added on” to a previously
submitted specimen provided there is sufficient specimen volume and the request is made
within the timeframe of specimen stability. A written physician order and laboratory request
is required for additional testing.
3.8 Verbal Orders: Verbal orders are accepted but must be authenticated with a written
physician order and laboratory request. The verbal order must be “read back” to the
physician or authorized representative, accuracy of communication confirmed and
documented by both parties. Verbal orders for inpatients should be referred to the Nursing
Unit responsible for the patient.

This document is for the exclusive use of JECSONS MEDICAL CENTER. (JMC) and the contents are treated
confidential. Therefore, unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited unless otherwise permitted by JMC
management.
 Document No. JMC-LAB-02-29

Effectivity
JECSONS MEDICAL CENTER 08 September 2022
Date

Mc Arthur Highway, San Nicolas, Tarlac City Page No. Page 2 of 3

REPORTING OF RESULTS OF LABORATORY TESTS

3.9 Test Cancellation: Requests for test cancellations are accepted prior to test set-up at no
charge. Cancellation requests received after test set-up cannot be honored.
3.10 Recollect Request: Specimens received in the laboratory for both inpatient and
outpatient services are subject to specimen integrity assessment prior to testing, to prevent
the release of erroneous laboratory results. A recollection will be requested if the specimen
is hemolyzed, clotted, insufficient volume, mislabeled, unlabeled, wrong specimen type,
potentially contaminated with intravenous fluids, or other source of poor specimen quality.
The processing of suboptimal specimens or “irreplaceable” specimens is approved and
performed at the discretion of laboratory personnel.
3.11 Repeat Testing: If there are questions regarding the validity of a result with respect to
clinical findings, the Laboratory Department will repeat the assay upon notification and
request.
3.12 Abnormal test result. Test result that requires the ordering provider’s attention as soon
as possible but is not as urgent or life-threatening as a critical result. Abnormal findings are
values that are above or below the established norms for a particular test.
3.13 Critical test result. Test result for a condition that if left untreated may be life-
threatening or place the patient at serious risk. Patients require urgent clinical attention.
3.14 Ordering or referring provider. The provider who initiated a test for a particular patient.
The provider is responsible for reviewing, signing, and acting on diagnostic tests under the
scope of his or her clinical practice.
3.15 Surrogate provider. A provider designated to act on test results on behalf of the
ordering provider if the ordering provider is unavailable.

4.0 Policy

4.1 Test results must be communicated to the ordering provider / attending physician or resident
physician on duty (ROD) , or the surrogate providerthe nurse on duty (NOD) if the ordering
provider is unavailable, within a period of time that allows prompt clinical action to be taken.
The ordering provider must communicate all test results, including normal results, to patients
within specified time frames to ensure patients are active participants in their healthcare.

5.0 Responsibility

5.1 Medical Technologists – are responsible for analyzing samples as quickly as possible.
STAT samples are given priority over all other tests.
5.2 Chief Medical Technologist - in-charge of notifying the pathologist on duty and clinicians
about the result of the critical value of the patient.

This document is for the exclusive use of JECSONS MEDICAL CENTER. (JMC) and the contents are treated
confidential. Therefore, unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited unless otherwise permitted by JMC
management.
 Document No. JMC-LAB-02-29

Effectivity
JECSONS MEDICAL CENTER 08 September 2022
Date

Mc Arthur Highway, San Nicolas, Tarlac City Page No. Page 3 of 3

REPORTING OF RESULTS OF LABORATORY TESTS

6.0 Reference
6.1 The ECRI Institute / 2011 / Reporting Test Results /
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.npsf.org/resource/collection/0716DBAD-99BB-460E-9837-
1E357423C51C/Sample-Policy.pdf
6.2 Ontario Association of Medical Laboratories / September 2009 / Guideline for Reporting
Laboratory Test Results / https://oaml.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/OAML-Guidelines-
for-Reporting-Revised-Sept-2-09-FINAL.pdf

7.0 Procedure

7.1 Depending on the type of test result, ordering providers may receive results from the
laboratory either direct verbal communication through telephone call or electronic
communication through the Hospital Information System or through the result print out
released by the laboratory.
7.2 When results are reported by telephone, the person receiving the information must read
back the information to the person calling with the results. The following process should be
followed:
7.2.1 The recipient of the result writes down the result.
7.2.2 The result is read back to the caller.
7.2.3 The caller verifies the accuracy of the result as the recipient reads it back.
7.3 Critical results must be communicated immediately by direct verbal communication from the
laboratory to the ordering provider or surrogate provider.
7. 4 In cases in which the ordering provider and surrogate are not available, results must be
communicated following the established chain of responsibility.

8.0 Process Flow

8.1 Xxx
8.2 Xxxx

9.0 Attachment

9.1 Xxxx
9.2 Xxxx

This document is for the exclusive use of JECSONS MEDICAL CENTER. (JMC) and the contents are treated
confidential. Therefore, unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited unless otherwise permitted by JMC
management.