Priority Requests

A test/procedure may be ordered as a priority if the results will be used to directly and immediately affect the management or therapy of the patient. The priority categories of critical, STAT, today, timed and routine should be used to communicate the medical condition of the patient and the type of service needed.

Tests can be ordered for priority testing according to the following guidelines based on the medical condition of the patient. Note:  Only procedures indicated in this manual with an asterisk can be ordered for priority analysis.

STAT & Repeat STAT

1. Medical Emergency; Life or limb saving situation
2. Tests can generally be performed on whole blood
3. Phlebotomist response within 15 minutes
4. Results available within 45 minutes (tests not performed on whole blood require an additional 45 minutes)

 Once Timed

1. Urgent Medical Need
2. Phlebotomist response within 30 minutes
3. Results available within 90 minutes

 Timed (Interval or AM Draw)

1. Prearranged for a specific time/interval
2. Phlebotomist response +/- 30 minutes of specific time/interval
3. Results available within 90 minutes

 Routine

1. Collected during phlebotomy sweeps
2. Results generally available within 4 hours (excludes batched testing, reference lab testing, microbiology, and pathology testing)