Tests and Fees

For laboratory testing services and fees refer to the following for more information:

• Test catalog: compilation of test information and collection instructions
• Specimen acceptance criteria: preferred specimens, hold times, and temperatures by test
• Fee schedule (by category): fees for the current fiscal year
• Explanation of fees  
  • Note: No fee will be applied if a specimen is submitted for public health surveillance or interest
• Insurance carriers 

Unless otherwise noted, specimens may only be collected by authorized medical professionals at any clinical practice or clinical location in the County. Specimens must be transported by courier or other means to the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Laboratory at 2191 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, for testing.

Click on the test name for additional information, including collection instructions.

Test categories are:

• Bacteriology, Molecular Amplification and Virology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Serology, Services for the General Public, Water and Shellfish Testing, Special Services

Biothreat Testing

Laboratory Biothreat Testing

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Laboratory (SLOPHL) serves as the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) reference laboratory for the identification of biologic agents of terrorism for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. We have been serving in this capacity since early 2009 as one of 14 local public health laboratories providing LRN services to multi-county jurisdictions in California. Our role is to accurately determine the presence or absence of suspected bioterrorism agents and assist clinical and other diagnostic laboratories (called sentinel laboratories) in ruling out these agents by basic microbiologic techniques or by rapidly referring specimens and culture isolates for testing. We also facilitate training and communication to ensure timely responses and identification of possible agents.

For further information about the laboratory’s biothreat program click on the links below:

• LRN profile of the SLOPHL
• Overview of bacterial biothreat agents
• Biothreat agent bench cards for sentinel laboratories
• Identification and exposure protocol
• Send out protocol
• Further training resources
• Guidelines for Suspected Agents of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases

Courier Services

Perry's Parcel is the courier service for the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Laboratory.

• Locations on the regular route schedule should expect a pick-up at routine time.
• If you are an on-call customer or need an additional pick-up:
  • Before 11 am, call Perry's Parcel Dispatch at (805) 434-1027 for a pick-up.
  • After 11 am, call the laboratory at (805) 781- 5508 for a pick-up.
    • Note: Calls received after 2:30 pm may require a next day pick-up.
• If you are not an on-call customer, are unable to reach Perry's Parcel, or a normal pick-up was missed:
  • Please call the laboratory at (805) 781-5508 and we will make the arrangements.
• If the frequency of your test results requires courier services, contact the Laboratory Director by phone ([805] 781-5512) or email ([email protected]) to discuss pick-up scheduling.

Hot Topics

This service provides specimen collection information for specific cases.

Laboratory Messenger

The Laboratory Messenger is a periodic newsletter published by the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Laboratory containing current news of interest for clinicians and laboratorians.  
 

Laboratory Services Overview

The Public Health Laboratory provides clinical and environmental testing to support programs of the Health Agency as well as hospitals, clinics, physicians, private businesses, citizens, and local, state, and federal authorities.

For additional information, please call the Public Health Laboratory (805) 781-5507 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm (closed weekends and holidays).

Non-Diagnostic General Health Assessment Certification

Qualified firms employing licensed medical staff may apply for a certificate on an annual basis to host public non-diagnostic general health assessment testing.

Phone Numbers

This service provides contact phone numbers for the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Laboratory.

Please note: the lab is unable to give results directly to patients. If you are a patient, please contact your healthcare provider to get your results. 

Requisitions

The following requisitions are to be used when submitting specimens for testing at the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Laboratory. Electronic submissions through the web portal or an electronic health record interface are encouraged, particularly for routine or high-volume submissions.
 

1. Clinical/human specimens: Requisition 100
2. Water or shellfish samples: Requisition 200
3. Tick identification: Requisition 300
4. Tick Lyme Disease Testing: Requisition 301
5. Chain of custody: Requisition 400
6. Rabies DFA testing: Requisition 500

Web Portal

Laboratory testing results that have been submitted to the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Laboratory, can be viewed online at any time.