Frequently asked questions
- Can members of the public send a specimen to the Laboratory if they have downloaded and completed the laboratory test request form?
- Can members of the public apply for a laboratory test related to infectious diseases?
- I failed to submit my sample to the health institution/department in time, can I directly send it to the Public Health Laboratory on the same day?
- Can members of the public directly inquire or obtain the test results from the Public Health Laboratory?
- Can I count on the test results issued by the Laboratory?
- When will the results be available after the sample is sent for analysis?
- In what situations can a sample be sent to the Laboratory via non-government health institutions/clinics?
- In case of doubt concerning the quality of food, water, drugs and cigarettes, can I send the concerned item to the Public Health Laboratory directly?
- Does the Public Health Laboratory conduct lead concentration test in household water?
- Where is the Public Health Laboratory? What are the opening hours? Does it provide lab services during non-opening hours?
1. Can members of the public send a specimen to the Laboratory if they have downloaded and completed the laboratory test request form?
No. Only public authorities, government health institutions/departments, as well as non-government health institutions/clinics are eligible to apply for the testing services by completing the laboratory test request form.
2. Can members of the public apply for a laboratory test related to infectious diseases?
No. Requests for testing services in the area of infectious diseases should be submitted by a government health institution/department (except where a cooperation agreement has been signed), or by a non-government health institution/ clinic.
3. I failed to submit my sample to the health institution/department in time, can I directly send it to the Public Health Laboratory on the same day?
You are advised to inquire the health institution/department ordering such test; the institution/department will provide appropriate directions and arrangement according to the “Clinical Specimen Collection and Submission Guidelines” of the Public Health Laboratory.
4. Can members of the public directly inquire or obtain the test results from the Public Health Laboratory?
No. In compliance with the stipulations of the Personal Data Protection Act, the results of food, water quality, drug and cigarette testing will be issued to the requesting institution/department in hard copy. As for testing of infectious diseases, the results will be made available to the requesting clinical department under the Health Bureau in the form of electronic report via the Hospital Information System (HIS); in case of applications by other government health institutions/departments or non-government health institutions/clinics, the results will be released in the form of paper-based report.
5. Can I count on the test results issued by the Laboratory?
Yes. The Public Health Laboratory is governed by a quality management system based on the international standards ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 15189. Staff of the Laboratory are professionally qualified and strictly adheres to the ethical standards which demands “a scientific and impartial work attitude; compliance with laws and regulations, commitment to the truth; stringent and standardized operation; concern for the best interests of clients”. Besides, the Laboratory is equipped with advanced and precision lab instruments and equipment with the aim of ensuring a scientific, independent and impartial testing service capable of producing accurate and valid test results.
6. When will the results be available after the sample is sent for analysis?
The turn-around time varies depending on the test items. For details, please refer to the “Testing Service Agreement – Tuberculosis, Virology, Parasitology and Elements in Blood” and “Scope of Testing Service – Bacteriology and Chemistry”.
7. In what situations can a sample be sent to the Laboratory via non-government health institutions/clinics?
Apart from completing corresponding application forms for services set out in the “Testing Service Agreement – Tuberculosis, Virology, Parasitology and Elements in Blood”, non-government health institutions/clinics may also request confirmatory HIV antibody testing and dengue antibody testing respectively in the event of suspected cases of HIV/AIDS and dengue fever.
8. In case of doubt concerning the quality of food, water, drugs and cigarettes, can I send the concerned item to the Public Health Laboratory directly?
No. All requests for laboratory testing related to food, water quality, drugs and cigarettes should be submitted by a public authority (except where a cooperation agreement has been signed).
9. Does the Public Health Laboratory conduct lead concentration test in household water?
The Public Health Laboratory has the technology to detect lead in household water, but such requests should be made with the intervention of the public authorities.
10. Where is the Public Health Laboratory? What are the opening hours? Does it provide lab services during non-opening hours?
- The Public Health Laboratory is located in the Public Health Laboratory Building at Estrada dos Parses No. 8 (opposite to LingNan Middle School).
- Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am to 1:00pm, 2:30pm to 5:45pm
Friday: 9:00am to 1:00pm, 2:30pm to 5:30pm
Close on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
- In case of public health emergencies or urgent situations, emergency laboratory services will be provided during non-opening hours.