CMS Manual System - Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

Intent: §483.75(j)(1)
The intent of this regulation is to assure that laboratory services are accurate and timely
so that the utility of laboratory testing for diagnosis, treatment, prevention or assessment
is maximized. The facility is responsible for quality and timely laboratory services
whether or not services are provided by the facility or an outside agency.
Interpretive Guidelines: §483.75(j)(1)
A ―laboratory service or test‖ is defined as any examination or analysis of materials
derived from the human body for purposes of providing information for the diagnosis,
prevention, or treatment of any disease or impairment of, or the assessment of the health
of human beings.
Services provided must be both accurate and timely. Timely means that laboratory tests
are completed and results are provided to the facility (or resident‘s physician) within
timeframes normal for appropriate intervention. All laboratories providing services for
facility residents must meet applicable requirements of 42 CFR Part 493. The purpose of
this requirement is to assist in assuring quality of laboratory services.
Procedures: §483.75(j)(1)
Verify that laboratory services are provided to meet the needs of the residents. If a
problem in quality of care leads you to suspect a problem in laboratory services,
timeliness or quality, refer to the interpretive guidelines for laboratory testing found in
Appendix C.
Probes: §483.75(j)(1)
Are problems attributable to:
An inability to order laboratory tests in a timely manner, including delays in
transporting the resident to and from the source of service, if needed?
A delay of treatment due to untimely receipt of lab results?
A large lag time between an order for a test and the recording of the results
that may have resulted in poor care?
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F503
§483.75(j)(1)(i) If the facility provides its own laboratory services, the services
must meet the applicable requirements for laboratories specified in part 493 of
this chapter.