Laboratory manual for physicians : aids in diagnosis and treatment.

  • New York (State). Department of Health. Division of Laboratories and Research.
Date:
1940
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Laboratory manual for physicians : aids in diagnosis and treatment. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    103/108 (page 101)
    RECORDING AND REPORTING RESULTS OF LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS The maintenance of accurate records of specimens received and the prompt and correct reporting of results of examinations are procedures of the utmost importance. To facilitate handling and to eliminate any possibility of inter- change in the laboratory, only one specimen is opened at a time; it is given a serial number before another container is opened. Accession books are kept for recording the receipt of specimens, pertinent data concerning them, and the results of examinations, thus safeguarding against loss or misplacement of specimens and unnecessary delays in sending reports. These books are also the source of statistics used in the compilation of monthly and annual reports. Typed reports of all examinations are checked with the accession books before being mailed, to ensure accuracy. They are sent to the physician by whom the specimen is submitted and, if the examination discloses the existence of a communicable or malignant disease, to the local or state health official to whom the physician is required to report the case (Public Health Law, Art. ITI, See. 25 and 25-b). A similar procedure is required (Public Health Law, Art. III, Sec. 25) when results of examinations are needed for purposes of release from quarantine or observation. Copies of reports are sent to hospitals for purposes of record, if the physician makes such a request on the history form. While the interests of the patient are considered in all cases where there is occasion to divulge information in regard to labora- tory examinations, the Public Health Law (Art. XVII-B, Sec. 343-r) and the Sanitary Code (Chap. II, Reg. 26) require all records relating to suspected cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, or chan- eroid to be treated as strictly confidential. Copies of reports are therefore given only to health officials and to the physician by whom the specimen is submitted, unless the patient furnishes a waiver signed in the presence of a witness stating to whom he wishes the information furnished. The Public Health Law (Art. ITI, Sec. 25, and Art. XVI, See. 322) and the Sanitary Code (Chap. II, Reg. 28-29) require records relating to cases of tuberculosis to be considered confidential also. [101]