• The Histology Stain List has been updated and can be viewed in Requisition Forms under the Ordering Information Tab.

FAQ Topics

CLIENT SERVICES

Client Service Representative can be reached at 906-449-3220,
1-888-818-3879 or lcs@lifepointhealth.net
A Client Service Representative can answer most billing questions. Reference accounts that need information regarding prices and CPT codes can contact Client Services. A Client Service Representative can be reached a 906-449-3220.

The requirements will vary depending on the type of billing being done. Full name, date of birth, sex, physician, collection date and time, and tests being done must all be included on a requisition when a laboratory reference account or physician office will be billed. Please mark the box “Bill Account”. When a patient will be billed, all of the above information must be included as well as billing information (self-pay, insurance, Medicare/Medicaid), and the patient diagnosis. In addition, Microbiology, Cytology, and Histology requisitions all require the specimen type/source.

An ABN (Advanced Beneficiary Notice) must be completed for testing that is covered under a local Medical Review Policy and which could possibly be denied for payment by Medicare. Documentation of medical necessity will help to ensure reimbursement from Medicare. ABN’s are not required for routine or screening tests, as they are never covered services. However, you should inform the patient of non-coverage for screening tests via the ABN.
You can search our test catalog on-line for information regarding laboratory testing and specimen requirements. If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact Client Services at 888-818-3879.
UPHS – Marquette Laboratory will provide supplies to our satellite labs and reference accounts that are necessary for specimen collection. We provide those locations with supply order forms. Simply fill out your form and return it with your courier or fax to 906-449-1912. We will send your supplies as soon as possible. Questions regarding supplies for special collections or unusual testing should be directed to Client Services at 888-818-3879.
You can set up an account by contacting Client Services at lcs@lifepointhealth.net

TRANSFUSION SERVICES

All pretransfusion specimens must be labeled with the patient’s full name, medical record number, the date drawn, and the identity of the person who drew the specimen (first initial, entire last name). The specimen must be labeled at the time it is drawn. Once the specimen has left the patient’s side, no changes or additions may be made to the patient’s name or medical record number. It is allowable to add the date or phlebotomist initials afterwards if it can be definitely tracked.
A pretransfusion specimen is any specimen that is drawn from a patient that could possibly be used for preparing blood products for that patient. This includes orders for type, screen and hold, screen and crossmatch, and preadmission testing.
Because Blood Bank and Transfusion Service is preparing a prescribed blood product that is given directly to a patient, we fall under the strict regulations and standards of the FDA, AABB. We abide by these standards to provide the safest care for our patients.

MICROBIOLOGY

In addition to the necessary patient information, microbiology testing requires the specimen type, body site, and the collection date and time. Include information for special requests or cultures for unusual organisms that may require special media.
Organisms must be fresh, pure, isolated growth on a culture plate or tube media. Send in the appropriate environment for viability: aerobic, anaerobic, or CO2. Do not send organisms on a swab or on plates with mixed flora. On the requisition, include any preliminary testing information, gram stain reaction, and body site the organism was isolated from.
  • Body fluids may be sent in an anaerobic transport tube (Cary Blair tube media). Fluids collected in a syringe must be aseptically transferred to the tube media by pushing the needle through the rubber stopper in the cap, filling the tube. Do not remove the cap from the anaerobic transport tube.
  • Tissues should be sent in a sterile specimen cup or tube.
  • Specimen types that are unacceptable for anaerobic culture include; fluids not received in an anaerobic transport tube, and swabs.
  • Remember that anaerobes grow in the absence of oxygen and that oxygen is toxic to strict anaerobes. Any specimen source that has contact with the air is not acceptable for anaerobic culture. Tissues are an exception to this rule because anaerobes can survive within the tissue in areas that are not exposed to the air.
Specimens should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible. Refer to the UPHS – Marquette Laboratory Test Catalog for specific transport conditions. Many microbiology tests and cultures require different storage conditions.

HEMATOLOGY / COAGULATION / ROUTINE TESTING

Double centrifuge the specimen by centrifuging it, removing the plasma, then centrifuging the plasma again. Place the plasma in a capped plastic vial and freeze. Either method will remove platelets from the plasma as they can cause inaccurate results for many of the tests.
If smears to be reviewed by a pathologist are coming from a satellite lab or reference account, the following must accompany the request:
  • Two good unstained blood smears
  • A CBC report from the requesting lab
  • Patient’s diagnosis
  • Reason for pathology review (e.g. Dr. request, blasts seen by tech, etc.)
Two of the following categories (WBC, RBC, Bacteria) must be abnormal as noted for reflex culture to be performed:
  • WBC’s
    • either or both WBC count greater to or equal to 25, or positive leukocyte esterase
  • RBC’s
    • Either or both RBC greater to or equal to 6, or positive blood greater to or equal to 2+
  • Bacteria
    • either or both bacteria 2+ or greater, or nitrite positive​​
  • C&S will be excluded due to:
    • Many epithelial cells
    • > 2 hours at room temperature (when known)
    • 24 hours refrigerated (when known)
It is a macroscopic urinalysis. It includes color, appearance, pH, specific gravity, ketone, glucose, protein, blood, bilirubin, urobilinogen, and leukocyte esterase. This test can be used as a quick urinalysis screen as there is no microscopic exam.

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY

A serum pregnancy test is used as a screening test to determine the presence of HCG. The result is reported as either positive or negative. The HCG test gives a quantitative value as the result. and is requested when a HCG titer is needed.
To obtain a TIBC result, you must order a transferrin. The TIBC is automatically calculated from the transferrin result. There is no test code in our computer system for TIBC.
To obtain a % saturation result, you must order an iron and a transferrin. A comment must be put on the requisition and/or in our LIS system to do the % saturation. There is no test code in our computer system for % saturation.

SEROLOGY

Mononucleosis (MONO), and Source Patient HIV (Rapid HIV for needle stick source patients) can all be run on a STAT basis.
HCV viral load quantification is performed when HepC Antibody results are positive.
HIV, RPR, and HCV reactive results are confirmed by secondary testing.
HIV and RPR are sent out for confirmation when positive or reactive results occur. HCV is sent out only when results are indeterminate.
Endocervical swab and vaginal swab specimens collected with the cobas® PCR Female Swab Sample Kit, male and female urine collected with the cobas® PCR Urine Sample Kit and cervical specimens collected in PreservCyt Solution have been validated for use with the cobas® CT/NG v2.0 Test. Follow the instructions for collecting endocervical swab, vaginal swab and urine specimens with the cobas® PCR Female Swab Sample Kit and cobas® PCR Urine Sample Kit, respectively. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for collecting cervical specimens into PreservCyt Solution.

CYTOLOGY / HISTOLOGY

Non-gyn specimens (urine, CSF, FNA, Body Fluid) need a minimum of one part CytoLyt to three parts sample ratio (i.e. 30 ml CytoLyt will preserve up to 90 ml urine). Since non-gyn specimens are processed on the Thin Prep Processor, samples with greater concentrations of CytoLyt (i.e. 5 ml CSF in 30mls CytoLyt) are not compromised. (The Thin Prep Processor draws the sample through a filter until sensors detect that the filter is covered with cells, or the entire sample is used up.)
Cells degenerate quickly, so an optimal specimen is one that has had preservative added immediately upon specimen collection.
For optimal results, all specimens should immediately be transported to the laboratory for processing. Cytology preservative will maintain the integrity of the sample for a short period of time. The shelf life of preserved cytology specimens are as follows: Conventional “spray-fixed” Pap Smears- are preserved for up to 3 weeks. Thin Prep Pap Smears- are preserved for approximately 3 weeks when stored @ 4-37 °C. Non-gyn Specimens (preserved in CytoLyt Solution)- are preserved for 8 days at room temperature, providing the sample has a minimum of one part CytoLyt to three parts sample ratio (i.e. 30ml CytoLyt / 90ml urine).
In order to process a specimen, requisitions must include the following information:
  • Patient’s full first and last name. This must match the one on the specimen.
  • Date of Birth
  • Name of Referring Physician (supervising physician must be listed on requisition in addition to Nurse practitioner or P.A.)
  • Source of specimen collection.
  • A test must be requested (i.e. cancer screen, maturation index, etc)
  • A billing box must be marked (i.e. “Bill Patient” or “Bill Facility”)
  • A diagnosis box must be marked (low-risk vs. high-risk)
The patient’s last menstrual period- (endometrial cells are generally only shed during the first 14days of the patient’s LMP. Their presence can be a significant finding after day 14 in women over 40yrs of age). Hormone therapy- Hormone therapy increases the maturation of the squamous cells in the Pap smears of post-menopausal women. Endometrial disease processes (hyperplasia, cancers, etc.) can also produce squamous maturation or “estrogen effect” in the smear. Clinical History – It is especially helpful to know the patient’s clinical history, including any previous gyn disease processes (ASCUS, HPV, Dysplasia, cancer), gyn surgical procedures (cone biopsies, laser treatment, etc.), history of cancer, in general, and chemotherapy and / or radiation therapy.