Frequently Asked Questions for Clinicians

Please read below for some common questions that are asked about our services.

• I'm a Clinician - How do I receive test results?

  Phone SA Pathology Enquiries on 8222 3000 - or via the free call number 1800 188 077 outside the Adelaide metropolitan area. If our staff cannot provide you with the clinical information you require, they will direct your questions to the specific directorate or specialty area where our pathologists can assist you.

  Doctors can be set up for electronic downloading of results, hard copies, or both. This is easily arranged through SA Pathology Marketing or ICTS teams.

• What about urgent test results?

  For any pending reports or urgent results required, doctors phone Enquiries. Reports can be given verbally, faxed, electronically downloaded or posted out. 

• How do I add on other tests?

  Phone the SA Pathology Enquiries line on 8222 3000. Give the patient’s details or a laboratory request number. Our staff will confirm which sample type is required for an add-on test.

  Check the original request form for sample type and whether the sample is still located in the laboratory storage system. Samples are kept for approximately *7 days at most sites. The add-on form is completed by Enquiries staff and faxed to the appropriate site to process. A request is generated for the doctor to sign the verbal confirmation of an add-on test. This form is forwarded to Finance to process.

  (*SA Pathology’s main laboratories at Frome Road have storage allowance for 7-10 days. Virology samples are archived in freezers for a longer period.)

• When can I call about test results?

  For patients needing critical care and in situations requiring prompt responses, we provide access to pathology expertise from experienced personnel 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Who will I be talking to?

  The on-call pathologists are the most senior and experienced personnel we have available at any given time. They are invariably divisional directors or laboratory managers, all of whom have a significant amount of expertise in their chosen discipline.

• What if I don’t understand the results?

  Our Enquiries staff will connect you with the appropriate specialty area. You can talk to on-call pathologists, available 24 hours a day, who will explain your patient’s test results to you.

• What if a patient’s results don’t appear?

  Enquiries staff can re-send an electronic download of results if results appear as reported, or have already been sent via download on the database. If results do not download between 15 and 30 minutes, the clinician should call back and we will connect them with ICTS to investigate.

  The usual download interval by the clinic or medical practice is between 15 and 30 minutes.

  There may be further delay for a clinic’s software to import, process and display the result file.

• What if a patient’s results are not available on my medical program?

  Call Centre staff can re-send an electronic download of results if results appear as reported, or have already been sent via download on the database. If results do not download between 15 and 30 minutes, the clinician should call back and we will connect them with ICTS to investigate.

  The usual download interval by the clinic or medical practice is between 15 and 30 minutes.

  There may be further delay for a clinic’s software to import, process and display the result file.

• What if I need specimens collected?

  Phone the Enquiries line to listen to menu options. Press "2" for couriers, who will log the call and arrange a SA Pathology courier (for routine samples) or a yellow courier (for urgent samples). SA Pathology can also arrange a lockable 'After Hours' box outside a surgery, where samples can be left for pick-up when the surgery is closed.

• What if patients need blood collected at home?

  Phone Enquiries, listen to menu options and follow the prompts. Press "3" for a domiciliary nurse or home visits. A doctor's authorisation is required for the first visit and the patient can make any subsequent home visits via this method following option 3.

• As a doctor, do I get clinical priority?

  Yes. Enquiries staff in our call centre always prioritise clinicians and health care professionals. Callers to our 8222 3000 and 1800 188 077 numbers will be asked to select option 1 for doctors and medical staff, option 2 for couriers and option 3 for patients and other enquiries.

• What about regular patient tests?

  On the pathology request form, tick the 'Rule 3 Exemption' box. The blood collection staff member will photocopy the form. The form may be used for 6 months or 6 visits, whichever comes first. If an INR test is needed to monitor Warfarin therapy, request forms for INR tests are valid for 6 visits, with no time limit applicable.