Hello ACB List-Lurkers.
We have no expiration date on laboratory requisitions that are distributed to patients by local physicians that practice in community-based clinics.
A patient recently appeared for phlebotomy and presented three requisitions (from the past 2 years !) which our staff dutifully read, collected samples and lab staff tested.
The lab results provoked questions by the clinic staff and our lab staff. Should single-use lab requisitions expire after 4 to 6 weeks? Lab requisitions that are 2 years old likely
initiate lab tests that are no longer relevant for recent medical conditions. In this case situation many of tests ordered 2 years ago had little use.
Prescriptions / scripts for medication orders expire if they are not promptly filled...... in a similar way, should lab requisitions for community-based patients expire?
I am not aware of any lab standards related to this topic and look forward to your comments and experiences with this type of problem.
regards, Andrew
Dr. A. Lyon
Univ. Saskatchewan
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