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Discounted laboratory services are available to researchers with grants and/or contracts which have been approved by the Committee on Human Research or the Committee on Animal Research.

Tests are given a research price based on a fee schedule. The fee schedule can be obtained from the Clinical Laboratories (please call Adriana Huaroto, Clinical Labs Adminstrative Analyst, at x3-1081).

To be eligible for discounted rates, the researcher must:

1. Obtain a Pseudo-Patient Account No. linked to the Campus DPA/Fund No. which has been established for the research account. This can be arranged by your Grants Administrator or Administrative Assistant by calling:

   Liza Shapiro
   Registration Services
   (415) 353-7617 (Office)
   (415) 885-7448 (Fax)
   liza.shapiro@ucsfmedctr.org

   The pseudo-patient number consists of "medical record number" and "visit number" separated by the letters "ZZ", and has the format 12345678ZZ1234567. There is a limit to the total number of transactions that a visit number may have. If your account approaches this limit you will be notified by Accounting and a new visit number created.

2. Submit a copy of the one-page letter of approval from the Committee on Human or Animal Research. The related pseudo-patient number should be written on the approval letter, along with the name and telephone number of a contact for specimen-related problems. Mail to: Mr. John Chapman, Box 0100, UCSF Clinical Laboratories.

   
   

3. Write the pseudo-patient number in the box on the laboratory request below the space for the imprinting/entry of patient information (see sample). Charges will be diverted from any Patient Account No. to the Budget Account No. at the research date.

   
   

4. If test results are to appear in UCare/STOR be sure to list the patient's correct Medical Record Number as indicated on on the sample requisition.

Discounts require a lead of time of one week following receipt of the request with the accompanying CHR (or CAR) approval. Tests ordered before the discount is in place are NOT discounted retroactively.

Prices of tests performed in-house are guaranteed for the current fiscal year. Annual increases are usually applied as part of Medical Center-wide charge updates at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Discounted processing/handling fees are offered for sendout tests, but the analytic charges of reference laboratories are fully passed through to the investigator. The prices quoted for sendout tests are subject to changes in reference laboratory contracts and cannot be guaranteed.

Details of research protocols need not be supplied to the Clinical Laboratories. No prior arrangements are needed for any test routinely offered by the Laboratory and listed in the Laboratory Manual with a specific ordering code, unless some type of special handling or processing is required. Exceptions are hematologic testing of animals which Clinical Laboratory instruments may not be calibrated to offer (consult the Hematology supervisor, x31747), and the testing of small volume specimens (e.g., rat or mouse blood or urine) that should first be aliquoted by the researcher into the container used for testing. If you will be collecting the specimen yourself, please drop it off at the Parnassus Clinical Labs processing area (5th floor Long Hospital) or the Mt. Zion Clinical Labs processing area (2nd floor Mt. Zion Hospital). If patient phlebotomy is required, please direct the patient to either the Ambulatory Care Center (AC122) or 2330 Post Street (Mt. Zion)."

Additional testing at discounted rates will be performed if needed to confirm or resolve abnormal results (e.g., Western blot for positive HIV serology by EIA, manual platelet counts if WBC fragments are present). Surcharges will also be invoked for unusual demands including stat testing, testing requiring calling in of extra staff (if it can even be arranged without impacting patient care requirements), etc.

Because of limited resources, the laboratory cannot process, store or ship specimens for the researcher, who is expected to promptly pick up the specimen and provide for shipping to its final destination.

Researchers should familiarize themselves with the most up-to-date test information and requirements for most common and uncommon requests, available at our web site at:

General information on, e.g., testing schedules, hours of operation of phlebotomy services for ambulatory patients, blood product usage and optimal use of the microbiology laboratory is also accessible on-line from that web site by clicking on the "Instructions for Use of Laboratory Services".

For additional information please call Adriana Huaroto at the Clinical Laboratories office, x3-1081.

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