CSF external Sendout Test (Referred TesT)

The appropriate order sets are used when ordering a CSF external send out test (referred test).

Instructions on ordering CSF external send out test for both inpatients and outpatients are included below for both of the scenarios. 

1. Clinicians Performing a Lumbar Puncture in Clinic

2. Request for Intervential Radiology Lumbar Puncture 

Clinicians Performing a Lumbar Puncture in Clinic 

After opening the chart from Schedule Activity:

• Search for the order "Lumbar Puncture"

• select Lumbar Puncture SmartSet. 

Select the appropriate orders

• Under Laboratory Investigations - Routine, 

• expand to open the Cerebrospinal Fluid – Bedside Procedure section, 

• Select Inflammatory 

CSF External Send out Test (Referred Test) 

This order has three hard stops that require you to enter or select information as well as a comments section.

Test(s) Required

• This is a free text field. The entered text will be attached to the test request. Each individual test requires its own order for proper routing of specimen to the referral lab. 

Minimum Volume

• If the “Minimum volume (mL) required” information is unknown, please contact the appropriate Lab Medical staff via ROCA to discuss.

• Otherwise, consider placing a “CSF TUBE, HOLD” order instead. 

• Upon receipt in the lab, the CSF External Send Out test is given the highest priority for aliquoting, ensuring there will be enough sample volume for this test to be performed is important. 

Resulting Agency: 

• Select: External Non-interfaced Lab and complete any other necessary order details.

Comments: 

• In the comments section, include information about the referral lab. 

• The external send out bench needs to know which referral lab to send the test to. 

CSF Tube Hold

If the volume is not known and/or when test you would like to send out for is not decided yet consider adding the CSF Tube Hold order. Complete the orders details as appropriate.

• If “CSF TUBE, HOLD” is used, be aware that it is the lowest‑priority order by lab staff . 

• When the test is of high priority, it is strongly recommended the clinician find out the volume of CSF needed and order the CSF External Send Out test instead.

Tests can subsequently be added after collection; See CSF Tube, Hold” results in Chart Review for ordering instructions.

Other Notes:

• Be sure to check the Alberta Precision Laboratories | Lab Services test directory (or Epic) to ensure your test is not already listed as an orderable within Epic. 

• If the test is Neurodegenerative Profile, CSF 

  • Lab Medical approval will be required and

  • specimen volume of 2mL will be required. 

Intervential Radiology Lumbar Puncture

admitted patient

After opening the chart from your patient list:

• Search for the order "Lumbar Puncture"

• select Lumbar Puncture SmartSet. 

Cerebrospinal Fluid – Interventional Radiology 

Under Laboratory Investigations - Routine selection: 

• expand the Cerebrospinal Fluid – Interventional Radiology (done in DI suite or OR) section. 

• Select Inflammatory 

CSF External Send out Test (Referred Test) 

Select the CSF External Sendout Test (Referred Test). 

This order has three hard stops that require you to enter or select information as well as a comments section.

Test(s) Required

• This is a free text field. The entered text will be attached to the test request. Each individual test requires its own order for proper routing of specimen to the referral lab. 

Minimum Volume

• If the “Minimum volume (mL) required” information is unknown, please contact the appropriate Lab Medical staff via ROCA to discuss.

• Otherwise, consider placing a “CSF TUBE, HOLD” order instead. 

• Upon receipt in the lab, the CSF External Send Out test is given the highest priority for aliquoting, ensuring there will be enough sample volume for this test to be performed is important. 

Resulting Agency: 

• Select: External Non-interfaced Lab and complete any other necessary order details.

Comments: 

• In the comments section, include information about the referral lab. 

• The external send out bench needs to know which referral lab to send the test to. 

CSF Tube Hold

If the volume is not known and/or when test you would like to send out for is not decided yet consider adding the CSF Tube Hold order. Complete the orders details as appropriate.

• If “CSF TUBE, HOLD” is used, be aware that it is the lowest‑priority order by lab staff . 

• When the test is of high priority, it is strongly recommended the clinician find out the volume of CSF needed and order the CSF External Send Out test instead.

Tests can subsequently be added after collection; See CSF Tube, Hold” results in Chart Review for ordering instructions.

Other Notes:

• Be sure to check the Alberta Precision Laboratories | Lab Services test directory (or Epic) to ensure your test is not already listed as an orderable within Epic. 

• If the test is Neurodegenerative Profile, CSF 

  • Lab Medical approval will be required and

  • specimen volume of 2mL will be required.