On Monday, April 27 at 5 pm, the Critical Care Laboratory will close.  This is the final step of a multi-stage process to fully transfer all clinical testing functions of the Critical Care Laboratory to the core laboratory (6240 RCP).

This closure plan was reviewed and approved by the Diagnostic Services Subcommittee, the Critical Care Subcommittee, and by nursing leaders in the Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care. 
THIS CLOSURE OF THE CRITICAL CARE LAB DOES NOT IMPACT THE NEONATAL ICU LABORATORY.

The closure will have some related impacts on other laboratory related operations. Please note the following:

1. Delivery of Specimens for Clinical Testing Previously Performed in the Critical Care Laboratory:
   (Effective at  5 pm on April 27)
   All specimens previously hand carried to the Critical Care Lab for testing should instead be delivered to the Specimen Control Drop-off Window in the Core Laboratory.  Most specimens may be sent via the Pneumatic Tube system, but for specimens that cannot be sent via the Pneumatic Tube system, the Specimen Control Drop-off window is located at 6248PW-1 RCP in the Core Laboratory.  See item 2 re: delivery of surgical specimens which can NEVER be sent via the tube system.


2. Delivery of Surgical Specimens: 
   (Effective at 7 pm on April 27)
   Between the hours of 1900-0800 Monday through Friday and 24/7 weekends/holidays, all surgical specimens requiring Pathology testing must be delivered to the Specimen Control Drop-off window located at 6248PW-1 RCP in the  Core Laboratory.
   Between the hours of 0800-1900 Monday through Friday (except holidays), Surgical Specimens requiring Pathology testing should continue to be delivered to the Surgical Pathology Laboratory (5804 JPP).


3. Tissue Storage Containers for the Main OR and the ASC:
   (Effective at 5 pm on April 27)
   All tissue storage containers should be returned to the Specimen Control Drop-off window located at 6248PW-1 RCP in the Core Laboratory.


4. Emergency Blood Supply:
   (Effective at 5pm on April 27)
   The Emergency Blood Supply inventory formerly housed in the Critical Care Laboratory will be relocated to the SNICU (5JPP).  Patient care areas requiring access to that emergency blood supply may obtain it from the SNICU front desk.

Questions about the closure of the Critical Care Laboratory should be directed to Matthew Krasowski, MD, PhD, medical director of the Clinical Laboratories (384-9380, matthew-krasowski@uiowa.edu).