For Lab Professionals | Northern Health

For Lab Professionals

Accreditation and Licencing

Diagnostic Accreditation Program Certificates

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Blood Collection Tubes / Order of Blood Draw

Test tubes with color coded tops indicate the additive contained in the tube. In the DIRECTORY OF TESTS the color-coding is indicated as well as the volume of blood sample required for each test.  When collecting blood samples it is important to allow the tube to fill completely and to follow the "order of draw" for tubes as indicated in the Order of Draw Chart.

See Inpatient Requisition - Lab Req I and Specimen Requisition - Lab Req II for additional reference to tube type and specimens required for testing.

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Glucose Meter

Community

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Lab Links

UHNBC Laboratory Test Directory:

The UHNBC Laboratory Test Directory provides physicians and healthcare professionals with detailed test collection information. It also contains information relevant for the referral of specimens to the UHNBC Laboratory and other referral labs.

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Missing Lab Reports

All laboratory tests requested by an authorized healthcare provider are tested and reported. If a test is not performed for any reason, the reason is documented and the physician is notified.

Missing laboratory reports could be due to a variety of reasons including but not limited to:

  • Requested test not ordered either in LIS or on the requisition
  • Test request not sent to the laboratory
  • Test not collected by lab
  • Sample not received in lab
  • Illegible or improperly completed patient requisition
  • Illegible or improperly labeled specimen
  • Test performed but not reported by lab
  • Test not performed and not reported by lab

If no results are available after the expected time for a test that has been confirmed to be ordered, contact the lab for further investigation.

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Pediatric Collections

Pediatric patients require special consideration when doing blood collections.  See the following charts for reference when collectiong pediatric bloodwork:

(Outlines the recommended maximum amount of blood that can be drawn in a single collection)

(Outlines the minimum whole blood volumes for pediatric patients)

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Referral Laboratories

Other Referral Laboratories:

    BC Cancer Agency (BCCA)
    Phone: 1-877-747-2522

    BCCA Research (Stem Cell Assay Lab)
    Phone: 1-604-675-8000 ext. 7746

    BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
    Phone: 1-877-747-2522

      BC Children's Hospital
      Phone: 1-877-747-2522

      Canadian Blood Services
      Phone: 1-604-707-3444

      Calgary Lab Services
      Phone: 1-403-770-3600

      Diagnostic Services Manitoba
      Phone: 1-204-926-8005

      DynaCare Laboratory Alberta
      Phone: 1-800-661-9876

        Hospitals In-Common (HIC)
        Phone: 1-416-391-1499

        Kelowna Hospital (KGH)
        Phone: 1-250-862-4407

          Lifelabs - Burnaby/Victoria
          Phone: 1-800-431-7206

            Mayo Medical Laboratories
            Phone: 1-800-533-1710

            Montreal General Hospital
            Phone: 1-514-412-4427

            Provincial Toxicology Centre
            Phone: 1-604-707-2710

            Royal Columbian Hospital
            Phone: 1-604-520-4253

            Royal Jubilee Hospital
            Phone: 1-866-370-8355

              St. Paul's Hospital
              Phone: 1-877-747-2522

              University of Alberta Laboratory
              Phone: 1-780-407-7484

              University of Calgary Mitogen Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory (Room HRB431)
              Phone: 1-403-220-4582

              UBC Hospital (Neurology Lab)
              Phone: 1-604-822-7121 ext. 27175

                Vancouver General Hospital
                Phone: 1-877-747-2522

                Vernon Hospital
                Phone: 1-250-545-2211 ext. 1205

                  Victoria General Hospital
                  Phone: 1-866-370-8355

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                    Turnaround Time (TAT) of Test Results

                    NH Lab Services has established turnaround times for test results based on clinical urgency. In order for the lab to meet established turn-around times, orders must be given the appropriate priority.

                    STAT tests are to be reserved for life-threatening (life and limb) medical emergencies.

                    Note: Smaller facilities may not offer a test menu as comprehensive as larger facilities and turnaround time will be affected. 

                    NH laboratories strive to meet or exceed expected turnaround times. Please contact the laboratory directly if turnaround times are not meeting expectations.

                    STAT Collections

                    Results will be available within 60 minutes from the time the sample is received in the laboratory (if the test is offered at that facility).

                    • Samples that require testing off-site cannot be offered on a STAT basis, with some exceptions.
                    • For tests that are tested off-site but a STAT collection is requested outside of regular work hours, a consultation with a pathologist is required.  

                    Exceptions

                    • STAT blood cultures will always be collected on a STAT basis. Preliminary results will be available within 48 hours.  
                    • STAT microbiology samples will be cultured as soon as possible at facilities with Microbiology services on-site and within the department’s working hours. Preliminary results will be available within 48 hours. 
                    • STAT microbiology samples that have to be forwarded to a Microbiology service off-site will be shipped out as soon as possible. Preliminary results will be available within 48 hours of the receiving site setting up the culture. 
                    • STAT Gram stain results will be available within one hour during Microbiology working hours. After hours’ STAT gram stains will be reported within one hour on the following samples only: CSFs and body fluids.

                    ASAP and Timed Collections

                    Results will be available within 4 hours from the time the sample is received in the laboratory (if the test is offered at that facility). Samples that require testing off-site cannot be offered on an ASAP basis.

                    Exceptions

                    • ASAP Blood cultures will be drawn as soon as possible and preliminary results will be available within 48 hours.

                    Routine Collections

                    Turnaround times vary for routine collections. Samples are processed in a timely manner with standard test results available the same day. Samples that require batching or testing at another facility may take several days for final results.

                    Unexpected delays in reporting results

                    Occasionally the lab experiences difficulties that affect its ability to provide results within the expected turnaround time. Laboratories will make every effort to notify health care providers or wards in the event that a STAT or ASAP sample cannot be processed within the expected TAT and will communicate when results might be available. 

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                    Additonal Lab Links
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