This email is to inform healthcare providers of a change pertaining to cytogenetics preliminary results reporting.  The Shivanand R. Patil Cytogenetics and Molecular Laboratory recognizes that the preliminary result reporting we provide is of value and we intend to continue offering this service.  However, to better utilize our limited personnel resources, and in response to a recent client survey, we are adding one additional question to our EPIC order CYTOGENETICS – CHROMOSOME STUDY (CYT51) for the specimen types of Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood, Oncology (see below).  The default setting for this question will be “No”.  Thus, you will have to specifically select “Yes” if a preliminary results report is required within 24-48 hours*.  If “Yes” is NOT selected (and the default setting of “No” remains) a preliminary result will still be reported within 3-5 working days.  The final result will still be reported within our standard turnaround time.

In summary, selecting “Yes” will result in a preliminary result being reported within 24-48 hours*.  Selecting (or leaving the default answer) “No” will result in a preliminary result being reported within 3-5 working days.  Of note (*), the 24-48 hours is exclusive of the weekend.  As is currently the situation, if a sample arrives in the lab on Friday, and you require a preliminary result report over the weekend, you must select “Yes” to the question “Weekend Prelim”.  This is not a new change.

This new feature will go into effect Monday, November 13th.  If you have questions or concerns please contact Benjamin Darbro, MD, PhD, Director of the Shivanand R. Patil Cytogenetics and Molecular Laboratory (356-3877, benjamin-darbro@uiowa.edu).