Antibiotic Resistance Lab Network (ARLN)
Antibiotic Resistance (AR) is the ability of microorganisms to develop resistance to the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Laboratory in Austin has the testing capacity and technology to detect, support, respond to, and prevent AR threats. The Texas DSHS Laboratory assists with species identification, phenotypic and molecular characterization, colonization screening, and microbial susceptibility testing for select microorganisms. Texas laws require that specific information about antibiotic resistant microbes is reported to DSHS as Notifiable Conditions (/IDCU/investigation/Notifiable-Conditions.aspx). Healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and veterinarians, among others are required to report patients who are suspected of having a notifiable condition (Chapter 97, Title 25, Texas Administrative Code). |
NEWS AND UPDATES |
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State Laboratory Austin, Texas CONTACT US |
Laboratory Testing Resource (Click on the links below) |
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Sample Collection Instructions
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Tests performed at Mountain States Regional Laboratory
For Additional Questions Email: TexasARLN@dshs.texas.gov Phone : 512-776-7599 |
Specimen Submission Form Instructions
ALL INFORMATION THAT IS REQUIRED IS MARKED WITH DOUBLE ASTERISKS (**)
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Specimen Submission Form Instructions[correction to instructions found at G2E example form ARLN (state.tx.us)] |
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1 | Submitter/TPI Number: The submitter number is a unique number the DSHS Laboratory Services Section assigns to each of our submitters. To obtain a Texas Provider Identifier (TPI) number, contact Teas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) at 1-800-925-9126. To request a DSHS submitter number, a master form, or to update submitter information, please call (888) 963-7111 ext. 7578 or (512) 776-7578, or fax (512) 776-7533. Alternatively, visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/lab/mrs_forms.shtm#email |
2 | NPI Number: Provide the facility’s 10-digit NPI number. All health care providers must use the National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. To obtain an NPI number, contact the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) toll free at (800) 465-3203 or via their website at https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/Welcome.do |
3 | Submitter Name and Address: Provide the submitter’s name, address, City, State, and zip code. Clearly print, use a pre-printed label, or use a legible photocopy of a master form provided by the Laboratory Services Section. |
4 | Phone, Contact and Fax: Provide the name, telephone number, and fax number of the point of contact (POC) at the submitting facility in case the laboratory needs additional information about the specimen or isolate. |
5 | Clinic Code: Provide only when applicable. The clinic code identifies the satellite office that submitted the specimen to the submitter. It helps the submitter identify where the lab report belongs in situations when the submitter has a primary mailing address with satellite offices. |
6 | ORDERING PHYSICIAN INFORMATION: Provide the name of the physician and the physician’s NPI number. |
7 | PAYOR SOURCE: This has been selected as a CDC Special Project by default. |
8 | PATIENT INFORMATION: Complete ALL required fields in this section. The patient’s first and last name provided on the specimen MUST match the patient’s name on this form. All specimens MUST be labeled with at least two patient-specific identifiers; both a primary and a secondary identifier. Each of the identifiers MUST appear on both the specimen container (or card) and the associated submission form. Specimens that do not meet these identifier requirements will be classified as unsatisfactory for testing. |
9 | SPECIMEN SOURCE OR TYPE: Indicate the type of material or the source of the specimen or isolate being submitted. For specimens not described in the list, check the “Other” option, provide details, and initial next to the details. |
10 | COLLECTION SITE INFORMATION: Provide the collection site name, infection control contact name, phone number, zipcode and sample number. Include the collection site’s CLIA number, if applicable. |
11 | TEST REQUESTED: You MUST identify the specimen as either an isolate or a specimen. Complete Box 1 for isolates only. Complete Box 2 for specimens for isolation only. Do NOT fill out both Boxes. For isolates, you MUST check the specific test(s) to be performed. To cancel a test marked in error, place a single line through the test name and write “error”. For colonization testing (Box 2), provide the name of the suspected organism. Provide copies of any previous laboratory testing of this specimen/isolate to assist DSHS with the identification process. |