Common Test Status Designations

NPO "nothing by mouth" prior to surgery or anesthesia proc.

Priority: N/A

Routine; relating to established procedure used to diagnosis or monitor patient's progress

Priority: none collect in a timely manner EX; CBC Chem. profile

Timed; collect at a specific time. test for which timing is critical for results

Priority: Second EX: 2-hr PP GTT, cortisol cardiac enzymes TDM blood cultures (record time collected)

Med Emergency (same As STAT)

Same As Stat

postop "after operation" asses patient condition after operation

Priority: same as ASAP Ex: H&H

Fasting; no food or drink except water for 8-12hrs to eliminate diet effects on test resuts

Priority; 4th Ex; glucose cholesterol triglycerides. Conditions: check if patient is fasting if not check if its still ok to take specimen

ASAP; as soon as possible test needed to respond to serious condition but patient is not critical

Priority: 2nd or 3rd depending on test Ex; electrolytes glucose H&H

STAT; immediately test results are urgent on critical patients

Priority: First Ex: Glucose, H&H, Electrolytes, Cardiac Enzymes

PREop "before operation" to determine patient eligibility for surgery.

Priority: same as asap Ex: CBC PTT platelet function studies