STAT Exams – When to Use Them (And When Not To)

We all remember Aesop’s Fable, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." The boy repeatedly cries “wolf,” tricking villagers into believing a wolf is attacking his flock. When a real wolf appears and the boy cries for help, the villagers dismiss it as another false alarm, allowing the wolf to devour the sheep.

Just like in this story, if all clients repeatedly request orders as STAT, a true emergency may not receive the required attention.

At BTX, we understand that every exam feels urgent when patient care is on the line. However, to preserve speed and efficiency across all facilities, we ask that STAT exams be used only for truly time-sensitive cases.

Here’s when to use STAT (less than 10% of orders):

• When waiting until the next day would require a hospital transfer

• For critical symptoms or rapidly declining patients

• In emergent conditions where time directly impacts outcome

And when not to (90+% of orders):

• Routine follow-ups

• Known positive TB

• Ongoing, non-acute pain

• Exams needed “soon” but not urgently

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Overusing STAT services slows down response times for patients in real distress. When used appropriately, they help us keep our mobile teams responsive and efficient.

Have questions about how to prioritize exams? Reach out to your BTX Account Manager—we’re here to support your team with clarity and care.