Welcome to the University of Iowa Health Care. The Department of Pathology offers the following short summary to assist in ordering diagnostic tests and retrieving the results of those tests.
Details for ordering analysis on all fluid and tissue specimens, including precautions, method of collection and submission, as well as reference ranges, location of laboratory, phone numbers, etc. are included in the PATHOLOGY LABORATORY SERVICES HANDBOOK.
The Hospital has a system to identify "visits" in order to facilitate many administrative and reporting functions. Be sure that the patient has a visit number prior to ordering a test. The test requisition and specimen must be properly labeled, including your last name and physician code, in order for processing to occur. Without the patient visit number, your physician name/code and a properly labeled specimen and requisition, unnecessary delays will result. In order to satisfy insurers, Medicare and Medicaid for reimbursement and auditing purposes, there must be a signed order in the medical record for all tests performed. The record must reveal notes documenting medical necessity.
Be sure all laboratory tests are properly collected, the specimen identified, and the requisition fully completed. In the patient’s record, be sure that the order for testing is signed and the medical necessity is noted.
All of the Department of Pathology laboratories report test status and results via the IPR (INFORMM Patient Record) system. Once a specimen is received and entered in the laboratory system, that specimen will appear as "AR (arrived) or SCHD (scheduled)" As soon as the result is obtained, it will appear as completed or Preliminary or Final, for Microbiology and Anatomic Pathology results. All results will be displayed as soon as they are available. There is no need to phone the laboratory for results or status of a test. Be sure to refresh the screens for updated information.
The Department of Pathology Faculty and Staff, encourage you to call or come to any of the laboratories with questions or problems. Pathology also has a suggestion box in the INFORMM mail system under "Send a Service Message/Suggestion". We believe you will find the laboratory staff, house officers and faculty very helpful. The Pathology Specialities list is provided for your convenience.
Other Helpful Pathology Links: Autopsy Service and Death Certificates - Provides useful information for proper completion of the death certificate and the important process of obtaining permission for an autopsy. Links to information containing critical to the proper collection or preservation of urine specimens:
John Kemp, M.D.
Director of Clinical Laboratories
Professor of Pathology
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Blood Transfusion Information - Contains audit criteria and policies on blood use provided by the Transfusion Subcommittee of the Hospital Advisory Committee.
Retrieval of Laboratory Information via IPR - Includes examples and explains how to retrieve and organize patient laboratory information through the Hospital Information System.
Surgical Pathology: Retrieval of Diagnosis – Contains information on how to retrieve Surgical Pathology preliminary and final diagnosis.
Phlebotomy Team Policies - Contains information about utilization of the morning or evening Pathology inpatient phlebotomy services.
Requisition Completion, Specimen Labeling and Transport Guidelines - Contains information on required elements of a handwritten laboratory requisition.
Links containing information about specimen collection or delivery: