Laboratory Test Descriptions:  Data Fields

The general format of each entry is listed below. Click on Hemogram to see an example.


Name of Procedure - All names are arranged alphabetically. Procedures that are commonly referred to by several names are cross-indexed to facilitate locating the procedure of interest.

Order Code - This is the computer code used to designate this procedure.

Laboratory - The name of the laboratory is given.

Room Number, Building - (University of Iowa or University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Buildings are abbreviated as follows):

BSB--Bowen Science Building
BT--Boyd Tower
CDD--Center for Disabilities and Development
GH--General Hospital
JCP--John Colloton Pavilion
JPP--John Pappajohn Pavilion
ML--Medical Laboratories
MRC--Medical Research Center
MRF--Medical Research Facility
PFP--Pomerantz Family Pavilion
RCP--Roy Carver Pavilion

Telephone Number (area code 319) - The University of Iowa phone numbers start with prefixes 335, 356, 384, and 467 and are listed as 335-xxxx (5-xxxx), 356-xxxx (6-xxxx), 384-xxxx (4-xxxx) and 467-xxxx (7-xxxx). The Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Iowa City, phone numbers are listed as 158-xxxx, which is the actual dialing sequence from University Hospitals.

Order Form - Requisition Form # to be submitted with specimen.

Specimen - This item is the substance actually used in the procedure. If the procedure yields a value which is reported in concentration per volume of blood, this item reads "blood"; if serum concentrations are measured, it reads "serum"; if the procedure measures antibiotic sensitivities of an isolated organism, it reads "organism"; if the test requires the presence of the patient, (e.g. bleeding time), it reads "patient"; if the entry is for a blood product rather than a diagnostic procedure, it reads "processing fee" or "(therapeutic)".

Collection Medium - Tube or collection container.

Minimum - (Some entries may omit this section). Where possible the minimum specimen is listed.


N O T E !  N O T E !  N O T E !  I M P O R T A N T !

The "Minimum Specimen" is not the quantity desired for routine work. The "Minimum Specimen" is the smallest quantity from which results can usually be obtained.

THE "MINIMUM SPECIMEN"  IS NO GUARANTEE OF A RESULT.

If the patient has an elevated hematocrit, or if a dilution and repeat determination is necessary because of an elevated value, the minimum specimen is frequently not enough.

For routine work, it is helpful to have 50% to 100% more than the stated minimums.

The "Minimum Specimen" is the answer to the question:  "What is the least specimen which is usually adequate for a valid result?"

If the "substance" listed for the test is blood or any blood component (plasma, serum, platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes), the volume given in milliliters for "minimum specimen" will specify whole blood, plasma, serum, etc.

Micro-specimen requirements are listed where applicable as the number of polyethylene microcentrifuge tubes needed. These "microtubes" have a capacity of 0.4-0.6 ml blood per tube.

Rejection Criteria – Includes criteria which will cause specimen to be rejected and not analyzed. Examples: hemolyzed or icteric specimens, specimen requiring ice or warming.

Delivery Options - Includes requirements for immediate delivery to laboratory, delivery on ice, delivery with specimen maintained at warm temperatures, etc.

Alternate Collection Media - The recommended collection container is described in the field "Collection Container". If an alternative, acceptable container is available, the alternate field will contain any other acceptable containers. The specimen will not be rejected if it is sent in any of the alternative collection containers.

Testing Schedule - Testing Schedule describes the frequency of service hours for the specified procedure.

Analytic Time - Is the turnaround time from specimen receipt in laboratory until results are usually available.

Reference Range - If the procedure is a group of several tests, the tests included are listed. Some statement regarding normal results (or therapeutic results) is included with most entries. Values given are those accepted by the laboratory offering the procedure.

Interpretive Data - Provides information to help support the clinical implications of testing.

Comments - Information in this area is highly variable and usually self explanatory.

Test Limitations - Interpretive guidelines, interferences, or analytic information used to interpret test results.

Methodology - Chemical principle or analytical method.

CPT Code - Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code is a systematic listing and coding of procedures and services each procedure or service is identified with a five digit code. Some Pathology procedures maintain more than one CPT code. These are listed in the "Comment" section.

If other information is relevant to this procedure, links will be provided at the bottom of the page directing you to another test, or another source of information.


NOTE!   NOTE!   IMPORTANT!

Do not draw a blood specimen for a procedure not listed in the handbook until you have asked the Laboratory Supervisor or Director about the correct collection tube and sample handling procedure.

Supplemental information is contained in the appendices linked to many procedures. TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE APPENDICES.

For a procedure not listed in this index call 356-3527 for information. A listing of additional unusual procedures and a more extensive cross index is maintained at this location (Specimen Control - 6240 RCP).

Please direct written corrections, comments, or questions regarding this index to:

Director of Clinical Laboratories
Attention: Handbook
C660 GH
Department of Pathology
University Hospitals

Or send an email to the Pathology Webmaster