Texas Department of State Health Services - Laboratory

Christmas and New Year Holiday Closure Reminders

Testing Notices:

Christmas Holiday

Newborn screening specimens received and accessioned on Saturday, 12/23/2017 will be tested immediately by the Newborn Screening Laboratory.
Healthcare providers may be notified of critical level preliminary presumptive positive results on Sunday, 12/24/2017 (Christmas Eve).
Newborn screening testing will resume on Tuesday, 12/26/2017.

New Year’s Holiday

Newborn screening specimens received and accessioned on Saturday, 12/30/2017 will be tested immediately by the Newborn Screening Laboratory.
Newborn screening testing will resume on Tuesday, 1/2/2018.

Healthcare Provider Reminders:

DO NOT delay collection or shipment of newborn screening specimens.
Ship dried specimens within 24 hours. If mail or courier services are unavailable, ship as quickly as possible.

Testing Notices:

Specimen submissions for total hemoglobin, lead, glucose, lipid/cholesterol and creatinine testing must be received by Friday, 12/22/2017 to complete testing prior to the Christmas holiday and by Friday, 12/29/2017 to complete testing prior to the New Year’s holiday.
DO NOT ship cholesterol, lipid panel, glucose or creatinine specimens on 12/22/17 through 12/25/17 or on 12/29/17.

Healthcare Provider Reminders:

Specimens submitted for lead and total hemoglobin testing must be received within 14 days of collection.
Specimens submitted for glucose, lipid/cholesterol and creatinine testing must be received according to specimen submission guidelines available at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/lab/mrs_labtests_toc.shtm

Rabies Laboratory:

Christmas Holiday

Specimens for Rabies testing should be shipped via Greyhound Bus. Specimens received between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM on Friday, 12/22/2017 will be tested Saturday, 12/23/2017 and positive results will be called out Saturday, 12/23/2017. Negative specimen results will be available Wednesday, 12/27/2017. Emergency testing will be available on Saturday, 12/23/2017 and Tuesday, 12/26/2017, by arrangement with laboratory personnel (512-776-7595) if specimen receipt can be guaranteed. All other specimens will be tested on Wednesday, 12/27/2017 and reported the same day.

New Year’s Holiday

Specimens for Rabies testing received before 3:00 PM on Friday, 12/29/2017 will be tested on Saturday before noon. Specimens with positive results will be called out to submitters by noon Saturday, 12/30/2017. Negative results will be available on Tuesday, 1/2/2018. Emergency testing will be available on Saturday, 12/30/2017 and Monday, 1/1/2018 by arrangement with laboratory personnel if specimen receipt can be guaranteed. Specimens received after 3:00 PM on Friday, 12/29/2017 and before 8:00 AM on Tuesday, 1/2/2018 will be tested on 1/2/2018 and positive results will be called out before 5:00 PM.

Viral Isolation Laboratory:

Do not ship specimens for delivery, Saturday, 12/23/2017 through Tuesday, 12/26/2017. If specimens are collected during this time period, store them at -70°C or below and ship specimens on dry ice for delivery on 12/27/2017.
Do not ship specimens for receipt on Monday, 1/1/2018 or Tuesday, 1/2/2018. If necessary, store specimens at -70°C or below and ship for delivery on Wednesday, 1/3/2018.

Mycobacteriology/Mycology Laboratory:

To receive expedited AFB Smear and/or NAA for M. tuberculosis test results before the Christmas holiday, ensure that specimens are delivered to the laboratory by 8:00 AM on Friday, 12/22/2017. Please telephone expedited test requests to 512-776-7342.
Do not ship specimens on Friday, 12/22/2017 through Monday, 12/25/2017. If specimens are collected during this time period, store them in the refrigerator and ship on Tuesday, 12/26/2017.
Do not ship specimens to be delivered on Monday, 1/1/2018 or Tuesday, 1/2/2018. Store collected specimens in refrigerator and ship for delivery on Wednesday, 1/3/2018.