Bio-Reference Laboratories reports are usually complete within 24 hours after arrival in the laboratory. The full report is then delivered to your office by courier immediately or is sent via remote printer. All commonly carried out tests can be reported within this 24 hour time frame but for tests taking more than one day to perform, a partial report will be delivered to your office the next day. A final and complete report will also be printed and delivered when the results are available. To assist you in evaluating our reports, all results are clearly shown to be either preliminary or final in nature. Arrangements can also be made to remote print results in your office. Please contact your sales representative for additional information. All laboratory reports include specific reference ranges according to age and sex if appropriate. Please be sure to complete this information on all test request forms. Test results that fall outside the reference range will be printed in a column to the right of the normal results, and will additionally be flagged with our appropriate "H or L" message code or a "*" for abnormal results that are not numeric. Stat tests are phoned as soon as test results become available. Highly abnormal test results are always called to your office or service as soon as possible.

Repeat Testing Policy:

All serum specimens are stored at 4°C for 7 days after initial testing. EDTA anticoagulated specimens are kept for a shorter time due to the instability of the specimen, and may not be suitable for retesting if older than 36-48 hours. Bio-Reference Laboratories will be pleased to repeat most analysis on a stored specimen at no charge, providing we receive a telephone request within this time frame. It should be emphasized that many analytes do not remain stable, and that these repeat results merely serve to confirm the original results and to verify the identification on the specimen. It is always better to redraw the patient. Tests that are particularly affected by storage include all hematology tests (CBC, Prothrombin and PTT tests, Reticulocytes, Sed Rate) most enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, GGT, Alkaline Phosphatase, LDH, etc.), Potassium, Glucose, and Carbon Dioxide. Because of the storage effects, some tests usually cannot be "added on" or repeated with any degree of accuracy.

Request Forms:

Bio-Reference Laboratories utilizes a single test request form for all routine Chemistry, Endocrinology, Microbiology, and Hematology tests, and standard profiles. Separate test request forms are used for Cytology/Histopathology and for Alpha-fetoprotein.

A wide range of other tests are available, and can be requested by writing in the test number and name at the bottom of the standard form. For customized test profiles, see your sales representative, as these tests can be preprinted at the bottom of the standard form. When requesting a test or tests, please mark an "X" in the appropriate box or clearly write your test request in the space provided. Supplies needed for the collection of specimens are available upon request from the laboratory. Please give the completed form to your courier or send it to the laboratory. Allow 2-3 days for delivery. In addition, please be sure to include the time and date of the specimen collection.

The Physician is required by federal and state law to sign all test request forms; please comply.

Technical Consultation:

Our Senior Scientific Staff is always available to discuss test results, answer your questions or consult with you if required.

Laboratory Supplies:

Bio-Reference Laboratories furnishes all supplies needed for the submission of specimens according to Federal Law.

Important

Please note that to comply with new Federal requirements (C.L.I.A. 88). All test requests are to be signed by the ordering physician and the time and date of the specimen collection are to be clearly added to the request form. Oral requests from a physician for laboratory tests will be honored, however, State law requires a written request be submitted within 48 hours as a follow-up to the oral request.

Note

Reference Ranges are method dependent and may change if a methodology changes. Check the final report for all reference ranges.