The ability of DynaLIFE_Dx to provide accurate and timely patient results greatly depends upon the quality of the specimen(s) received.

This section outlines specific instructions for:

• Collection and Handling of Patient Specimens
• Packaging and Transport of Patient Specimens

Additional important information is outlined in the following sections:

• Requistions
• Test Directory
• Stat Test Availability for Community Patients
• Priority Test Availability for Community Patients
• Stat Test Availability – Outside Capital Health Region

Critical Value Policy:

Critical values represent those results that require prompt, rapid, clinical attention to avert significant patient morbidity or mortality.  The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta requires laboratories to have a policy for handling critical values.  To maintain good patient care, and because of legal implications, DynaLIFE_Dx will immediately advise the referring physician, or care provider, of a critical laboratory result.

Critical values will be phoned to the care provider as soon as possible after the result is available.