Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

Policies - Mayo Medical Laboratories
Patient Safety Goals
One of The Joint Commission National Patient Safety goals for the Laboratory Services Program is to
improve the accuracy of patient identification by using at least 2 patient identifiers when providing care,
treatment, or services.
Mayo Medical Laboratories uses multiple patient identifiers to verify the correct patient is matched with
the correct specimen and the correct order for the testing services. As a specimen is received at Mayo
Medical Laboratories, the client number, patient name, and patient age date of birth are verified by
comparing the labels on the specimen tube or container with the electronic order and any paperwork
(batch sheet or form) which may accompany the specimen to be tested. When discrepancies are
identified, the Mayo Laboratory call center will call the client to verify discrepant information to assure
Mayo Medical Laboratories is performing the correct testing for the correct patient. When insufficient or
inconsistent identification is submitted, Mayo Medical Laboratories will recommend that a new specimen
be obtained, if feasible.
In addition, Anatomic Pathology consultation services require the Client Pathology Report. The pathology
report is used to match the patient name, patient age and/or date of birth, and pathology case number.
Since tissue blocks and slides have insufficient space to print the patient name on the block, the
pathology report provides Mayo Medical Laboratories another mechanism to confirm the patient
identification with the client order and labels on tissue blocks and slides.
Parallel Testing
Parallel testing may be appropriate in some cases to re-establish patient baseline results when converting
to a new methodology at Mayo Medical Laboratories. Contact your Regional Manager at 800-533-1710 or
507-266-5700 for further information.
Proficiency Testing
We are a College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited, CLIA-licensed facility that voluntarily
participates in many diverse external and internal proficiency testing programs. It is Mayo Medical
Laboratories’ expectation that clients utilizing our services will adhere to CLIA requirements for
proficiency testing (42 CFR 493.801), including a prohibition on discussion about samples or results and
sharing of proficiency testing materials with Mayo Medical Laboratories during the active survey period.
Referring of specimens is acceptable for comparison purposes when outside of the active survey period
or when an approved proficiency testing program is not available for a given analyte.
Mayo Medical Laboratories’ proficiency testing includes participation in programs conducted by CAP and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with independent state, national, and
international programs. Our participation includes:
• American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB)
• AABB (Formerly American Association of Blood Banks) Immunohematology Reference Laboratory
• The Binding Site
• Centers for Disease Control and Lipid Standardization Program
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• College of American Pathologists (CAP) Surveys
• Cystic Fibrosis European Network
• EMQN EQA Scheme
• Health Canada Interlaboratory Comparison Program
• International Tay-Sachs Program
• Laboratoire De Biochimie Et De Toxicologie (Interlaboratory Aluminum Quality Control)
• Le Centre de Toxicologie du Quebec – Quality Assessment Scheme
• Le Centre de Toxicologie du Quebec – Comparison Program
• New York State Department of Health
• Pennsylvania State Department of Health
Page 5 5/26/2011
Current as of January 4, 2013 7:15 pm CST 800-533-1710 or 507-266-5700 or MayoMedicalLaboratories.com Page 6