Test Requests

Familiarisation with Pathology Laboratory Services on the availability of the types of tests in the different disciplines, laboratory operating hours, laboratory collection service, types of emergency/stat tests and many others would be very useful prior to placing test requests.

Specimens are to be submitted together with authorised Test Request Forms or electronic requisition, or written requests with authorised requestor's name. Self referral by patient or direct to consumer testing will not be accepted.

Types of Tests

Please refer to 'View Test Listing' to view all the tests available in Pathology Department, either alphabetically or by categories.

Test Request Form

If Test Request Forms are used, please use the correct test request form to accompany the patient’s sample so that it can reach the appropriate laboratory without unnecessary delay.

All information requested in the form should be given as this is essential for proper processing of samples and correct interpretation of test results. The following forms are used in Singapore General Hospital when requesting for various laboratory tests. Samples of these forms can be viewed in the section under the heading Test Request Forms.

Types of test requests	Request Form to use
Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology	Request for Bacteriological Investigation
Clinical Biochemistry	Request for Biochemical Analysis
Blood Bank (Transfusion Medicine)	Request for Blood and Blood Products Request for Immunohaematological Investigation
Cytogenetics, Molecular Cytogenetics	Request for Cytogenetics Investigation
Cytology (Cervical PAP Smears)	Request for Cervical Pap Smear Cytology
Cytology (FNA, body fluids, etc.)	Request for Histopathological Investigation
Haematology	Request for Haematological Investigation Request for Coagulation Studies Request for Urinalysis Request for Haematological Investigation (Special)
Histopathology	Request for Histopathological Investigation
Immunology, Serology, STD & Allergy	Request for Immunological Investigation
Molecular	Request for Virological Investigation Molecular Test
Mycobacteriology	Request for Mycobacteriology Investigation
Virology	Request for Virological Investigation
Client Services	Request for Laboratory Services

Please print all information clearly and legibly on all test request forms.

Patient Identification

Correct spelling of patient’s name and other biodata given are essential to ensure that the sample collected and received by the laboratory comes from the correct patient.

• Patient’s name
• Patient’s NRIC number or Passport number
• Hospital Registration or Account number
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Nationality
• Others, e.g. first twin or second twin

Patient Location

The patient’s exact location should be stated clearly so that the laboratory can communicate promptly with the relevant referring clinic/ward/department/hospital should the need arise.

• Name of Hospital
• Name of Clinic/Department
• Ward number
• Bed number

Non-hospital or clinic clients should include the name, address and telephone number of their organisation. An e-mail address and Fax number should be included if available for alternative means of communication. It is important to include the name of the contact person in the organisation for the return of reports, and the name and contact number/e-mail address of the requesting doctor for discussion of the case if this is needed.

Clinical History

• Clinical diagnosis
• Suspected disease/organism
• Brief clinical history
• Name, date and duration of treatment given
• Any previous test results with dates and previous laboratory numbers
• Patient’s immune status (e.g. any underlying diseases, cancer chemotherapy, immunosuppressive treatment)
• Any other relevant patient or clinical data requested in 'Special Instructions' of each laboratory discipline.
• Sample may be rejected if no diagnosis or clinical history is given. This applies especially to Histopathology, Cytology, Cytogenetics and Virology investigations.

Test Request

If Test Request Form is used, tick the appropriate box/boxes on the request form. To order tests that are not listed on the form, write the name of the test in the space marked “Miscellaneous” or “Others”.

Nature of Sample

Identify sample source by indicating the specific body site from which sample had been taken.

Date and Time of Sample Collection

The actual date and time of sample collection should be indicated for proper evaluation of test results.

Name of Requesting Doctor/Consultant/Authorised Requestor

This information is important for the laboratory to contact the relevant physician/authorised requestor when necessary. The MCR number of the requesting physician should be indicated if hard copy test request is used. The sample may be rejected if the requesting physician’s name is not given.

Emergency or Stat Test

Clearly indicate this on the test request. Make sure that the telephone numbers of the named person to whom results should be given are provided.