Diagnostic Services
Laboratory
Children's Department of Laboratories provides cutting edge laboratory and pathology services for pediatric patients in the Pacific Northwest and outside our region.
In addition to the routine and STAT procedures available 24 hours a day, the laboratory offers many specialized tests designed to address unique pediatric diseases.
Procedures have been specially adapted or developed for the pediatric patient. Reference ranges are age appropriate, reflecting the influence of growth and development.
We also offer consultation in test selection and result interpretation. The pathologist, doctoral scientist and technologist staff is always available.
Ordering Lab Tests
The laboratory performs testing based on requests from persons authorized by law to write laboratory test orders (i.e. Physicians, PAs, and ARNPs).
Use our lab test lookup tool to find specific information about lab tests including test collection information, processing instructions, turnaround time, reference ranges and more.
The laboratory utilizes consistent procedures to ensure appropriate order and specimen receipt, identification, assessment, test order accessioning and accurate billing.
Community providers must provide written orders via a laboratory requisition or a prescription form.
Paper orders for laboratory testing will contain the following elements for acceptance:
- Name and address (if outside of Children's) of physician or legally authorized person ordering the test
- Patient identification utilizing at least two unique identifiers (full name and Medical Record Number or Date of Birth)
- Patient sex, when appropriate
- Patient date of birth, when appropriate
- Orders for specific laboratory tests
- Time and date of collection, when appropriate
- Source of specimen, when appropriate
- Clinical information, when appropriate
- Medical Necessity (ICD-9 codes/ diagnosis description) - required
All unclear, vague or illegible orders will be clarified with the ordering provider before acceptance.
If the medical necessity information is absent from the initial written orders, the laboratory will utilize a "fax-back" system including a REQUEST FOR ICD-9 form to clarify orders and/or obtain required information.
If the "add on" phone order is received from a community physician, the form will be "faxed back" for signature and medical necessity information. Phoned orders will be transcribed and read back to verify accuracy.
Consultation Services
- Community Services - Results, Clinical Lab (7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F):
(206) 987-2102 - Pathology Services - Results, Surgical and Autopsy (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
M-F):
(206) 987-2103 - Pathologist on call (paging operator): (206) 987-2000
- Fax - Main Lab: (206) 987-2631
- Fax - Lab Administration / Pathology: (206) 987-3840
Clinical Laboratory Sections
- Biochemical Genetics: (206) 987-2216
- Blood Bank: (206) 987-5151
- Chemistry: (206) 987-2102
- Cytogenetics: (206) 987-3961
- Hematopathology: (206) 987-2560
- Hematology / Coagulation: (206) 987-2102
- Histology: (206) 987-2580
- Molecular Genetics: (206) 987-3872
- Molecular Pathology: (206) 987-2572
- Microbiology: (206) 987-2585
- Reference Test, Research / Studies: (206) 987-2563
- Scheduling Sweat Tests: (206) 987-3860
Pathology Services
Our six pathologists can provide you with a comprehensive evaluation of any pediatric specimen. We have a combined experience in pediatric pathology of over 50 years.
We will help you with everything from the problematic spindle cell lesion to the ubiquitous small round blue cell tumor, to the diagnosis of an unusual metabolic disorder. A detailed report is issued to the referring physician or group.
Pathology services are available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours and weekends, please contact the pathologist on call through paging, (206) 987-2000.
Radiology (Medical Imaging)
Children's Department of Radiology offers the full array of pediatric radiology and medical imaging services provided by dedicated staff uniquely trained and skilled in the care of infants, children and adolescents, and their families.
The department performs and interprets more than 70,000 examinations per year with state-of-the-art imaging equipment.
Emergency and inpatient radiology services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Outpatient services are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
To contact a Children's radiologist, please contact Radiology Administration at (206) 987-2134.
Other contact numbers include:
- Main Radiology: (206) 987-2133
- Scheduling: (206) 987-2089
- Scheduling fax: (206) 987-2730
- IR nurse / procedure scheduling: (206) 987-4599
- File Room (film or report requests): (206) 987-2731
Scheduling Procedures and Exams
The majority of routine diagnostic x-rays are done on a walk-in basis. To refer your patient use the Radiology Exam Request Form (PDF 42KB) (editable Word version) and fax a copy to (206) 987-2730. Please send the original form with the patient.
All other exams and procedures are done on a scheduled basis. Diagnostic Imaging procedures include:
- Radiologic and Fluoroscopic Studies
- Ultrasound
- Nuclear Medicine
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Vascular and Interventional Services
- Radiation Oncology Consultation and Management
Please call (206) 987-2089 between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F to schedule fluoroscopy, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, CT and MRI studies.
Scheduling of vascular, interventional and complex procedures requires consultation with a radiologist. Please call the IR nurse at (206) 987-4599.
Children may need sedation services, supervised and performed by our pediatric anesthesiologists, for many procedures. Schedulers will ask certain questions to help make that determination, and when appropriate, will provide additional special instructions or sedation information.
If you know your patient will require this service be sure to tell the schedulers at the time you schedule the exam.
Should you require an emergent Radiology study after hours, please contact the attending radiologist on-call through the Children's operator at (206) 987-2000, to discuss the case specifics and determine the most appropriate imaging service to be performed.
Children's also provides radiation oncology services through our affiliations with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and the University of Washington.
Bone Densitometry
Bone density scanning (DXA) is available through the Radiology department. To assist with smooth scheduling, here are scheduling guidelines to help you have a smooth process making appointments for your patients.
Scheduling Guidelines:
- Appointments are scheduled thru Radiology Central Scheduling at (206) 987-2089
- Schedule appointments at 30 minute intervals
- Patients/parents will need to fill out a brief medical history form to aid in interpretation of scan
- Make sure the patient has not had any contrast material) within 1 week (such as other nuclear medicine testing) or barium within 2 weeks before they are to have the DXA test performed
- No calcium tablets the morning of their DXA test
- Children may wear warm-ups, sweat suits or pajamas as long as there is no metal, plastic or printing (t-shirts and sweatshirts) on them
- The children will have to be able to lie very still for 30 seconds up to 3 minutes, depending upon which scan is being performed
Please contact Nuclear Medicine at (206) 987-2731 if you have any questions or concerns.
Referral Information
Please note that many insurance providers and other payers require various referral and/or pre-authorizations for the more complicated and expensive radiology exams such as MRI, CT, some Nuclear Medicine studies and Interventional / Angiography.
If the exam needs a referral or authorization your office will need to obtain it prior to scheduling.
Even in emergent/urgent situations it is still best for you, as the patient's provider, to attempt to first obtain the authorization.
Should the case be so urgent you are unable to do so, service will not be denied, but you may be required to retrospectively petition the payer for authorization.