Test Results

STAT and Critical Sample Testing

PHO's laboratory is committed to prioritizing testing to assist health-care providers in making swift patient care decisions in an urgent or emergency circumstance (“STAT”). STAT testing should only be requested when it directly affects patient care in an emergency medical circumstance.

STAT testing is available for specific test requests:

• malaria
• rapid tests for influenza outbreaks
• Suspicious Packages Bioterrorism RT PCR
• HIV and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG) needlestick (source only) or high risk patients presenting in labour who have not received prenatal care or for whom results of previous testing are not readily available

Consultation with a PHO Microbiologist will be required in circumstances where a test is not usually processed as a STAT.

Approval for after-hours testing may require some or all of the following information:  patient symptoms, travel history, date of onset of symptoms, exposure history, outbreak status and vaccination status.

STAT samples must be shipped separately from routine specimens in a clearly marked package indicating ‘STAT’ and handled in accordance with the Canadian Biosafety Standards and shipped in accordance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations. Failure to ship separately will delay testing.

Please notify us immediately when a STAT sample is sent by contacting our Customer Service Centre.

After-Hour Testing

Approval for after-hour testing may require some or all of the following information: patient symptoms, travel history, date of onset of symptoms, exposure history, outbreak status and vaccination status.

Results

Qualified health care providers: laboratory test results are available to registered healthcare providers through the eHealth Ontario Portal.

For patients: PHO's laboratory does not provide test results directly to patients. Contact your healthcare provider to obtain your laboratory test results.

Well Water Testing Results

Well water testing is available for the general public. To see how to submit samples and get results, visit our Well Water page.

Official Agency Water Testing Results

STAT and Critical Sample Water Testing

PHO’s laboratory is committed to prioritizing testing to assist Official Agencies important decisions in an urgent or emergency circumstance (“STAT”). Contact the laboratory directly in the event that a public health emergency arises and sampling is required. When the laboratory is closed, please contact the PHOL Duty Officer at 416-605-3113.