Lab Tube Colors
Gold for BMP, CMP, hepatic function panel, vancomycin level, Magnesium, Phos
Lavender for CBC, Hemoglobin A1c (requires its own full tube)
Green for troponin, BNP, plasma K
Blue for PT(INR), PTT, fibrinogen, ddimer (blue tube must be filled completely)
Pink for type and screen (if no prior T&S from admission, always send 2; need to be renewed every 72 hours)
Heparinized syringe for ICU venous or ICU arterial panel (always order as panel, not VBG or ABG, otherwise no lactate will result)
Yellow for urinalysis, urine lytes
EPIC Terminology
Go to Chart Review then Labs in patient chart to view:
'Standing' = ordered by MD for future time
'Needs to be collected' = Time for the lab to be drawn has passed
'Collected' = Label has been printed (does not mean blood drawn)
'In process' = sample has been received by the lab
'Final result' = resulted by the lab
'Edited result' = lab has modified the result
Uncheck 'Hide Canceled' to view labs that were canceled by anyone (MD, RN, lab)
Lab Quick Tips
If a lab isn't back by 9am, check with RN to ensure it was drawn, and call 4LABS to ensure it was received
Add-Ons: If the appropriate tube was sent (for ex. you sent BMP thus gold tube was collected, then you can add on Phos, CMP, Mag, etc.), order the lab in Epic and change status to "Add On" and "Lab Collect." Call 4LABS to confirm
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Venous panel = Arterial panel EXCEPT when:
- Calculating A-a gradient
- Severe hypercapnia
- Mechanically ventilated patients (for hypoxia, SaO2 and PaO2 similar)