68-29-121 - Examination of human specimens Reports of examinations. - Tennessee Statutes

68-29-121. Examination of human specimens Reports of examinations.

(a)  No person, except patients who are performing tests on themselves by order of their physician, shall examine human specimens without the written request of a physician, an intern or resident in an American Medical Association approved training program, a duly licensed optometrist, a duly licensed dentist, a duly licensed chiropractic physician, or other health care professional legally permitted to submit to a medical laboratory a written request for tests appropriate to that professional's practice, or the written request of a law enforcement officer acting in accordance with § 55-10-406.

(b)  The results of a test shall be reported directly to the physician, optometrist, dentist, chiropractic physician, designated entity or other health care professional who requested it. The report shall include the name of the director and the name and address of the medical laboratory in which the test was actually performed.

(c)  All specimens accepted by medical laboratory personnel and/or special analysts shall be tested on the premises, except that specimens for infrequently performed tests may be forwarded for examination to another medical laboratory licensed under this chapter or licensed or exempt under the Federal Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act of 1967, compiled in 42 U.S.C. § 263a. This shall not be construed as prohibiting the referral of specimens to a medical laboratory excepted under § 68-29-104. However, the medical laboratory director of the referring medical laboratory shall assume complete responsibility.

[Acts 1967, ch. 355, § 21; 1973, ch. 141, §§ 7, 8; 1975, ch. 365, § 8; 1980, ch. 475, § 7; T.C.A., § 53-4121; Acts 1990, ch. 1076, §§ 1, 2; 1993, ch. 295, § 6; 1996, ch. 647, §§ 12, 13; 2002, ch. 623, §§ 1, 2; 2007, ch. 301, § 2.]