When waiting for health information, seeing an unfamiliar status like “PSC Hold” on a laboratory order can cause concern. PSC stands for Patient Service Center, often run by large reference laboratories like Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, where patients go to have samples collected, such as blood draws or specimen drop-offs. These centers are a standard part of the diagnostic process, ensuring samples are collected by trained phlebotomists. Understanding this administrative tracking system helps alleviate anxiety about the testing status.
Decoding the PSC Hold Status
The “PSC Hold” status signifies an administrative pause before the actual collection of a specimen. It means the physician has electronically submitted the request for testing, and the lab system has received and logged it, but the order is awaiting the patient’s interaction at the Patient Service Center. This status confirms the order is valid and ready within the lab’s system, but the physical sample collection is pending.
The hold is an automatic designation that keeps the order active until the patient arrives at the designated collection site. Once a patient visits a Patient Service Center and provides the sample, the “Hold” status is removed. This administrative mechanism ensures that the order is not processed prematurely or incorrectly, indicating that the next action is required from the patient.
Common Causes for the Hold
The most frequent reason for a “PSC Hold” is that the patient has not yet scheduled or attended their required collection appointment. Since the order is electronically transmitted from the physician’s office, the lab system places it on hold until the patient presents for the blood draw or drop-off. This is common when the physician’s office issues the order but leaves the scheduling entirely up to the patient.
Other causes relate to administrative details that must be addressed before collection can proceed. Some tests require specific patient preparation, such as fasting for eight to twelve hours, and the hold remains active until that preparation is confirmed. The hold may also be due to missing information, such as an incomplete diagnosis code (DX code) or a pending insurance pre-authorization that the lab needs to confirm before proceeding with the test.
Patient Next Steps
Upon seeing a “PSC Hold,” the patient should contact the ordering physician’s office or the laboratory’s patient services line to schedule their visit. Many labs allow patients to schedule appointments online, which helps minimize wait times at the collection center. Confirming the appointment time and location ensures the order is ready upon arrival.
Patients should confirm any specific pre-collection instructions with the physician’s office to avoid a wasted trip. Clarify if fasting or stopping certain medications is required before the blood draw. If the hold relates to insurance or authorization, contacting the physician’s billing department can help expedite the process, allowing the patient to proceed to the Patient Service Center.