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Home >> Catalog >> Information CatalogHours Turnaround Time / Stat Testing LCL takes pride in its continued efforts to routinely expedite all procedures performed on-site. These procedures may be identified by the heart symbol next to the test name in the complete menu on the following pages. We will work with customers to further expedite testing as requested. As a matter of policy, if extenuating circumstances should arise to cause a significant delay in completion of a testing request, the appropriate institution will receive verbal and/or written notification. Procedures are performed as after hours stats only with approval of the medical director. Stat testing fees will be assessed per test. General Information and GuidelinesCourier A courier service is provided during morning business hours to local customers at no additional cost. Stat courier service is available for late afternoon/evening and weekends for expedited testing at an extra fee. Routine specimen pick-ups can be scheduled by calling LCL and leaving a message, if after hours. Pick-ups should be scheduled before 10: OOAM for same day service. Samples must be properly labeled and packaged in a biohazard safe transport bag prior to receipt by courier. Customers may also use outside shipping services to send specimens (example: Fed. Express). For more details if necessary, please request further Specimen Shipping Instructions Sample Labeling and Test Requisition Each of the sample tubes must have the patient's first and last name, date and time of collection
and type of specimen. The sample must be accompanied by a completed test requisition which
contains patient information, specimen collection data and customer account information. These
three sections of the requisition must be as complete as possible so as not to delay testing and
to assist the laboratory with proper sample assessment for pretesting treatment and accurate
result interpretation. This includes not only the usual information such as name, ID #, date of
birth, age, sex and, lab. ID # but should also include vital information such as patient's recent
and current coagulation therapy and complete patient diagnosis and/or condition. Information
about the specimen collection technique and sample handling as well as the date and time collected should always be listed on the request form. Institution name, phone #, and Fax # are
also necessary for account information. Refer to the LCL specimen request form for further explanation and details. NOTE: Serial samples collected from the same patient at different times must be accompanied by separate request forms. Additions/Cancellations If the requisition is incomplete upon receipt, the appropriate institution will be contacted to furnish the necessary data before testing is implemented. If there is a change in patient information or if tests are to be added and/or can celled, regulations require that LCL obtain written approval for the changes. A special form will be faxed to the institution for clarification of patient information or for signed approval of added and/or can celled tests. Reporting All preliminary and final reports will be faxed to the originating institution. The original final report as well as a copy will be forwarded in the mail. Reports may be faxed to the ordering physician as noted on the requisition. Reports which contain stat, critical and /or clinically relevant test values will be reported by phone as well as faxed to originating client. Billing and Fee Changes We will provide the hospital, reference laboratory, clinic or medical group with direct billing monthly. Payment of invoices is net 30 days from date of invoice. Loss of discounts will occur on Past Due Invoices. Customer discounts do not apply to stat testing and/or courier fees. As new scientific advances occur, Louisiana Coagulation Laboratory may deem it necessary to add to or change certain components or methodologies of our tests and/or prices. Sometimes these are subject to change without notice. We will make every effort to inform our clients of any changes as soon as possible. Specimen Collection Proper collection of specimens for coagulation testing is extremely important, since poor venipuncture technique can cause erroneous results. Despite the availability of sophisticated coagulation instrumentation, basic concepts of specimen handling remain important: A result is only as good as the specimen. Inaccurate results can lead to unnecessary additional testing and/or investigation by the laboratory OR lead to inappropriate patient management decisions The "when in doubt, throw it out" philosophy remains true. Coagulation samples must be collected using a non-traumatic venipuncture. If syringes are used, a two-syringe technique must be performed. The first syringe collected must be discarded or the blood used for non-coagulation procedures. A second syringe is then used to obtain the blood for the coagulation tests. This blood is gently dispensed into the appropriate collection tubes. If a vacutainer system is used, a red top tube is filled first. Then the tubes for coagulation are filled. When blood is to be taken from a catheter, 20ml of blood is collected into a first syringe. This blood is discarded or used for non-coagulation procedures. The second syringe of blood is then transferred into the appropriate collection tubes. If the patient is on heparin, draw 30ml of blood in first syringe and discard. Plasma samples must be collected in the appropriate anticoagulant using the proper ratio of blood to anticoagulant (9:1). Improper anticoagulant volumes will yield erroneous coagulation results. For citrated samples, appropriate correction of the anticoagulant volume used must be taken if the patient has a hematocrit below 22% or above 55%. See the formula below:
Handling Citrated specimen should be processed immediately. Samples must be double-spun for 10 -15 minutes each spin at 3000 RPMs in capped plastic tubes. The platelet free plasma should be quick frozen at - 70 C or can be placed in the coldest freezer available (Blood Bank freezer). This eliminates errors due to platelet and factor activation. As a general rule, there should be at least one aliquot of plasma for each test requested. All whole blood samples such as EDTA, can be refrigerated prior to courier pickup or shipment. Test procedures requiring serum must be collected in plain red top tubes and allowed to clot for 30 minutes. Centrifuge for 10 - 15 minutes, dispense serum into tubes and freeze. Shipping The specific shipping conditions of a specimen are critical to the maintenance of the stability of the sample during transport. So shipping instructions must be verified for each procedure. Frozen specimens from outside the range of our courier service must be properly packed for shipment using 5 lbs of dry ice. A few test procedures require whole blood samples which must be maintained at room temperature and therefore does not require dry ice for shipment. It is also recommended to select the shipping time to insure arrival at LCL during regular working hours, Monday through Friday only. Refer to the specimen test requirements and shipping instructions for more details.
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