Articles and Testing Guides
Test Algorithms
Algorithms are examples of diagnostic approaches that provide guidance in the appropriate ordering and use of laboratory tests.
Test Algorithms provide guidance to appropriate ordering and use of laboratory tests. These algorithms are examples of diagnostic approaches recommended by physicians and laboratory experts at Mayo Clinic. The use of algorithms may reduce unnecessary testing and accelerate the diagnostic process.
Communiqué
The mission of the Communiqué is to serve as an educational instrument, providing information about new testing services and enhancing the quality of diagnostic patient care through the appropriate utilization of laboratory testing.
Pediatric Test Reference Values
Establishing age-specific reference ranges for children is challenging, but necessary, as their biologic and developmental characteristics may vary significantly between ages and from adults. Pediatric Test Reference Values includes those tests currently available from Mayo Medical Laboratories that are relevant to the care of pediatric patients. (Please note that this is a large page that may take a moment to load.)
Drugs of Abuse Testing
"Drugs of Abuse Testing: An Overview of Mayo Clinic Tests Designed for Detecting Drug Abuse" provides information to assist physicians and health care professionals in ordering the appropriate tests for their patient situation.
Supplemental Newborn Screening
Supplemental Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders identifies the need for early treatment in babies who have a metabolic disorder detectable by tandem mass spectrometry. These metabolic disorders affect approximately 1 in 4,000 babies. Mayo's expanded screen tests at birth for more than 30 disorders, which allows initiation of treatment before the infant suffers lasting harm. A print-friendly version of the entire Supplemental Newborn Screening topic is available, as well as videos, presentations and articles, information about ordering tests and additional resources.
Critical Values List
A Critical Value is defined by Mayo physicians as a value that represents a pathophysiological state at such variance with normal (expected values) as to be life-threatening unless something is done promptly and for which some corrective action could be taken.