Policies—Bronson Laboratory Services (BLS)
Alphabetical Test Listing
If collection and handling instructions are needed for additional
tests which are not listed, please contact the laboratory at 269341-6440.
Test Orders
Governmental regulations (CLIA) require that laboratory tests
be performed only at the written or electronic request of an
authorized health care provider. Only tests that are medically
necessary may be billed to governmental entities. Michigan law
prohibits offering professional courtesy testing; therefore, BLS
does not perform such services.
Outpatient orders may be ordered on the Bronson Outpatient
Bronson Laboratory Request Form. This form is available with
pre-printed physician codes. Customized forms for each
Practice can be obtained through the Physician Services Center
at 269-341-6280. It is important that all patient demographic
and insurance information is complete. The request form may
accompany the patient or be faxed to 269-343-4277.
ICD-9 diagnosis codes are required for all insurance billing. All
outpatient request forms must have complete patient, physician,
and insurance information to ensure timely and accurate testing,
reporting, and billing.
Custom Panels
BLS currently utilizes the standard American Medical
Association (AMA) defined test panels along with the custom
laboratory test panels. Medicare regulations require that
physicians be notified about custom tests panels and the
appropriate use of these panels. A custom panel is a specific
group of commonly ordered tests that have not been defined by
the AMA or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
BLS custom panels include:
• DIC Screen: D-dimer, fibrinogen, partial
thromboplastin time, platelet count, prothrombin time,
and peripheral blood review for the presence of
schistocytes
• Drugs Screen 6, Urine: opiates, benzodiazepines,
barbiturates, cocaine metabolite, amphetamines, and
cannabinoid
• Allergen Panels: respiratory, childhood, foods, grasses,
indoor allergens, insect venoms, and molds
The Office of Inspector General warns that a physician who
orders medically unnecessary tests for which Medicare
reimbursement is claimed may be subject to civil penalties.
Only those tests that are medically necessary in treating a
patient’s condition should be ordered. When all of the
components of a custom panel are not medically necessary,
order only those individual tests that are medically necessary
for treating a patient. Please note that each component of a
laboratory panel can be ordered individually.
Adding Tests
Bronson Laboratory Services stores most blood specimens for
7 days. If adequate specimen is available, BLS can add
additional, follow-up testing to existing specimens. Additional
testing will be performed if there is sufficient specimen volume
and the correct specimen type is available for the tests
requested. Regulatory agencies require written authorization be
obtained for all test requests, therefore, all verbal requests must
be followed by a faxed or mailed test request form within 30
days. To request additional testing, fax a copy of the “Request
to Add Testing to Specimen Already Collected” form which is
available on page 17 in this test catalog or call 269-341-6440.
Repeat Testing
When test results do not correlate to the patient’s condition or
when an error is suspected, BLS will repeat the tests at the
request of the ordering physician at no charge. The laboratory’s
current test methods and performance specifications are also
available to clients upon request.
Alcohol and Drug Screen Requests
BLS performs alcohol and urine testing for medical purposes
only. Requests for employment/pre-employment alcohol and/
or drug testing should be directed to Bronson ProHealth at 269341-8938. After ProHealth office hours, patients with such
requests are directed to the Bronson Trauma & Emergency
Center. Specimens for employment urine drug screening are
collected by ProHealth or Bronson Trauma & Emergency
Center staff and sent directly to an outside reference
laboratory.
Laboratory Priorities
Please check the Alphabetical Test Listing in this BLS test
catalog for turnaround times of specific tests. Most tests are
performed around the clock and are generally reported within 8
hours of receipt. Some laboratory tests are performed in a
batched mode once per day. Tests sent to the reference
laboratory will be dependent on courier pickup times and the
reference laboratory specified turnaround time.
• Routine: Depending on the tests ordered, results are
reported within an 8- to 24-hour period.
• Timed: Specimens are collected at the specified time.
Priority of testing may be designated as STAT, ASAP,
or routine.
• ASAP: Results within 3 hours from receipt in the
laboratory.
• STAT: STAT requests are given top priority, with most
results within 1 hour of receipt in the laboratory. STAT
testing should be used for diagnostic and emergent care
only.
Laboratory Result Reporting
The following are forms of notification for reporting results to
the clinician:
• Printed Reports: Printed reports are provided upon
result completion to the requesting clinician, as well as
consulting clinicians, when complete name and address
information is indicated on the order. BLS recommends
the autoprint/fax method to receive results for both
security and timeliness of reports. The laboratory
consults with the office clinical staff to establish a
schedule for automatically printing/faxing directly to the
clinician’s office. If autoprint/fax is not available,
reports can be delivered via U.S. mail or courier routes.
• STAT Requests: STAT requests receive priority
handling and the results are communicated to the
referring physician immediately after test completion by
a phone call or an “on-demand” fax. In cases where
critical (life threatening) values are reported, a phoned
report will automatically occur to the referring clinician,
with request to read back the results to ensure accurate
communication and patient safety.
• EpicCareLink: CareLink is a web-based tool you can use to
access and view laboratory results and other patient
information online. You can log in or request access
using this link: https://epiccarelink.bronsonhg.org
Please call Bronson IT Support at (269) 341-6330 with
any questions or problems regarding CareLink.
For information on report distribution options, contact the
Laboratory Information System facilitator at 269-341-8263
Request to Add Testing to Specimen Already Collected
REQUEST TO ADD TESTING TO SPECIMEN ALREADY
COLLECTED
BRONSON LABORATORY SERVICES
601 John Street, Box 37
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007
Phone: (269) 341-6440
Lab Fax:(269) 341-8423
Cytology/Pathology Fax: (269) 341-6861
Pl ease fill in the form below and fax to the number above. Bronson Laboratory staff will check to
see if adequate sample is available to perform the requested testing. If sam ple is available, testing
will be performed, and this form will serve as the test order as required by CLIA (Clinical
Laborato ry Im provement Act) regulations. If no sample is available, Bronson Laboratory staff will
contact you at th e number you have provided below. Thank You.
Please make photocopies ofblank .form or contactlaboratOiy ijyo11need additional copies.
Pah.e nt &Sa mprel n formah·on:
Patient Name:
ACCT #or Date of Birth:
Specimen Collection Date:
Test(s) to Add:
Diagnostic Information (lCD-9) for added tests:
Additional Comments:
Physician Office Information:
Physician:
I Physician Phone #
Physician Office Contact Person:
This section for Bronson Laboratory Sraff Use Only.
This is a phoned in order? Yes No
Call rec'd by:
_
Specimen Available & Adequate for Testing?
Yes
No
If Ycs, test codes ordered, labels generated and specimen submitted for testing? Yes
No
If No, physician office comacred: Date:
Time:
Person Contacted:
Was form given to Registration for update of additional diagnostic info:
Yes No
Laboratory employee initials:
___
FILE COMPLETED FORMS IN DAILY REQU ISITION FILES (DATE OF ORIGINAL REQUEST)