How long is lab order valid?

Q How long is a physician order for laboratory testing valid (e.g., three months, six months, one year)? I have not been able to find a source that states a time period.

A A standing order is an order written by an authorized medical practitioner that calls for an action to be continued or repeated over a period of time. This action may, for example, be administration of a medication, a treatment, or a laboratory test. Hospitals generally have policies that limit the period of time a standing order is valid. (1) The policy indicates how the standing order is to be entered, documented, monitored, and audited. Since hospitals set such policies, the period of time on standing orders varies. Standing orders may also vary within a hospital for a specific type of standing order, such as administration of a pain medication. Laboratories may, too, have policies concerning standing orders. One laboratory's policy limits standing orders to six months. (2)

--Daniel M. Baer, MD

Professor Emeritus 

Department of Pathology 

Oregon Health and Science University

Portland, OR

References

1. Deutsch LW. Medical Records for Attorneys. Philadelphia, PA: American Law Institute-American Bar Association; 2001:98.

2. Medical Laboratories. Standing orders. University of Virginia Health System. http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/medlabs/compliance/mlcp0022.

Daniel M. Baer, MD, is professor emeritus of laboratory medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR, and a member of MLO's editorial advisory board.

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