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 P1, P2 and P3 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.

Priority 1 (P1) is available for life and limb situations ONLY. The ordering clinician’s telephone or pager number is required for direct communication with results. Collection and analysis will be done immediately for whole blood samples.

Priority 2 (P2) is available for urgent medical needs. Collection will be done within 15 minutes and the sample will be analyzed upon receipt in the lab immediately following any P1 orders.

Priority 3 (P3) is a request for priority service for a pre-arranged specified time. Timed testing will be honored throughout the hospital at any time except at York Hospital during the four hour interval between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Results will not be called to the ordering clinician unless requested. Collection will be done at the specified time or within 30 minutes of the request. Samples will be analyzed upon receipt in the lab immediately following any P1 or P2 orders.