The necessary test requests are made by the doctor after examining the patient. This is done either on line if the doctor is in Government service (Government hospitals and Health Centres) or via a Ticket of Referral if a private General Practitioner.
Phlebotomy (bleeding) of patients is carried out by appointment either at the Health Centres or at Mater Dei Hospital Outpatients Phlebotomy Service. Patients at Mater Dei Hospital wards are bled by the Pathology Department’s phlebotomists. The Pathology Department’s phlebotomists do not bleed Outpatients.
Data that is collected is kept in the Laboratory’s computer system fully according to the provisions of the Data Protection Act. Tests are carried out by qualified registered Medical Laboratory Scientists on the latest state of the art equipment. The Pathology Department also offers the clinicians a full consultancy service through its Consultant Pathologists.
Results are sent directly to the referring doctor either via the Hospital IT systems or by mailing the results to the doctor’s home or clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: If I think that I require some particular test, can I come directly to Pathology?
Answer: No. Pathology does not accept self-referrals. Tests are requested by doctors after they examine their patients and on the basis of their clinical findings.
Question: Do you mail results to patients?
Answer: No. Pathology sends the results to the requesting doctor or clinic. Most of the results are not even printed as they can be accessed directly anywhere within the Government health system network through the hospital software system.
Question: What can I do to get a printed copy of my result?
Answer: Printed copy of results can be obtained from Mater Dei Hospital’s Customer Care Unit as per provisions of the Data Protection Act. The Pathology Department does not give results directly to patients.
Question: Can I phone to enquire about my test?
Answer: No. You have to go through your doctor or through Mater Dei Hospital Customer Care Unit to get any information about your results. Giving information over the phone to an unknown person goes against the Data Protection Act.
Question: Can I ask that my tests be requested anonymously?
Answer: Yes. You need to ask your doctor and agree on a code that identifies you to your doctor. Certain tests like the HIV test are always done anonymously except in rare cases where the identity of the patients must be known (e.g.: for adoption purposes). Other routine tests can be requested anonymously but this is not advisable as these tests would, by their being anonymous, then not be available to other clinicians as part of your medical history in case of emergency or follow up.
Question: What tests can my General Practitioner request?
Answer: Your General Practitioner can order most of the common tests that are normally needed in general practice. For specialised tests, you need to be referred by your General Practitioner to a specialist in Government service.
Question: Is there a waiting list for Laboratory Testing?
Answer: Except for a few tests, notably histology tests and tests sent to our reference laboratory abroad, tests are carried out within a few days. However phlebotomy as well as the reading of test results to the patient, requires an appointment. As these are carried out by third parties Pathology has no control over their management.
Question: Is confidentiality guaranteed with Laboratory Testing?
Answer: Yes. This is guaranteed by the strict adherence to the Data Protection Act and its provisions as well as by the professionalism of those who work within the Laboratory.
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