A laboratory requisition form is a formal document, either written or electronic, that a healthcare provider uses to order specific medical tests for a patient. This request authorizes the laboratory to perform services, such as blood work, urinalysis, or specialized tissue analysis. Without a completed requisition, the laboratory cannot proceed with testing. The form serves as the initial communication bridge between the ordering clinician and the lab technicians.
The Essential Purpose of the Requisition
The primary function of the requisition form establishes the legal and administrative necessity for the lab work, extending beyond simply listing the tests. It ensures the correct procedures are performed on the correct patient, initiating the chain of custody for the specimen. This documentation is mandatory for regulatory compliance and provides a legal record of the physician’s orders and their rationale.
The form functions as the single source of truth, ensuring streamlined communication and reducing potential errors. It links the clinician’s diagnosis or treatment plan directly to the laboratory’s operational action. Accurate completion prevents delays, as missing or incorrect details require the lab to contact the ordering office for clarification. The structured format gathers all data points necessary for test processing, result reporting, and billing.
Key Information Found on the Form
The form must contain several distinct categories of data to be considered complete and valid. The first section is Patient Demographics, which includes the patient’s full legal name, date of birth, gender, and contact information. This information is used for accurate patient identification, often verified against a medical record number or unique ID.
The Ordering Provider Details section requires the name, contact information, and authorized signature from the healthcare professional. This section also includes the provider’s National Provider Identifier (NPI), a unique 10-digit number used in HIPAA transactions. The NPI is required for the laboratory to process the test request and ensure proper communication regarding results.
The form explicitly lists the Test Selection, where specific panels or individual tests (such as a Complete Blood Count or a lipid panel) are marked or coded.
To justify the medical need, the form requires Diagnosis Justification codes, typically using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) system. These alphanumeric codes indicate the patient’s symptoms or provisional diagnosis, allowing the lab to confirm medical necessity for insurance coverage and billing. If the diagnosis code does not align with the requested test, it risks non-payment for services.
Patient Responsibilities When Using the Form
While the healthcare provider completes the ordering side, the patient has several logistical responsibilities to ensure testing proceeds smoothly. The patient must bring the physical form or have access to the electronic order when they arrive at the laboratory or service center. Confirming the correct lab location and its operating hours is an important logistical step to prevent a wasted trip.
A significant patient responsibility involves following specific Preparation Instructions listed on the requisition or provided by the clinician. This may include requirements such as fasting for 8 to 12 hours before a lipid panel or glucose test, or temporarily stopping certain medications that could interfere with results. Failure to follow these instructions may necessitate rescheduling or could lead to inaccurate results, requiring a repeat collection.
Before submitting the form, the patient should Verify their demographic information to prevent administrative errors that could delay results or cause billing issues. Patients should also review the billing section, especially if the provider indicates a test may not be covered by insurance. If a Medicare-covered test lacks a covered ICD-10 code, the patient may need to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) acknowledging potential financial responsibility before the service is performed.