Laboratory services for health professionals
Last updated on June 7, 2024
Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS) within the Provincial Health Services Authority works with many partners to ensure the laboratory system adopts the latest technology, guidelines, and techniques and meets the needs of people living in B.C.
PLMS is accountable for various functions related to administering lab services and implementing policies and processes on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health’s Laboratory Services Teams lead the strategic direction, priorities, and plans for overseeing, administering, and delivering laboratory services.
The legislative authority for B.C. laboratory services are:
For practitioner resources and information, including fee schedules, BC Guidelines, MSP schedules, and laboratory requisitions, visit:
For general information about laboratory services in B.C. and the various teams within the Ministry of Health’s Laboratory and Blood Services Branch, visit Laboratory Services.
B.C. residents can view test results in Health Gateway. Health professionals are encouraged to let B.C. residents know about Health Gateway, using these resources to help raise awareness.
Laboratory System Policy Updates
HPV Testing
Since January 2024, as part of B.C.’s 10-year Cancer Care Action Plan, women and individuals ages 25 to 69 with a cervix can choose to order a kit to self-screen for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer, or have their screening sampled collected by a health-care provider.
- Learn more about HPV testing in B.C.
- Learn about B.C.’s Cancer Care Action Plan
Provincial Standing Order Policy
The Provincial Standing Order Policy defines requirements and guidelines for referring practitioners. A standing order is the requisition form in which a referring practitioner has indicated the time-period and frequency for the provision of specified Laboratory Services. Under new guidelines, all standing orders received after January 1, 2024, expire after 12 months, while standing orders that were received before January 1, 2024, would be processed as requested.
- Learn more at Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services Requisitions