Enteric Pathogens PCR Panel Ordering Criteria Update

Key Update

Effective July 29, 2026, inpatient Enteric Pathogens PCR Panel (LAB3618) orders will be restricted when screening criteria are not met.

When to order

The panel is intended for patients with:

Community-acquired diarrhea
Travel-associated diarrhea
Severe symptoms such as fever, bloody stool, dehydration, abdominal pain, immunocompromised state, or sepsis

When not to order

The panel is not recommended for hospital-acquired diarrhea when symptom onset occurs more than 72 hours after admission.

Ordering changes

Inpatient orders will include the question: “Has the patient been hospitalized for less than 72 hours?”
- If answered No, the order cannot be signed.
- This question will not appear for outpatient/ambulatory orders.
If all applicable screening questions are answered No, the order cannot be signed.
Target organisms will be listed in the ordering instructions to support appropriate test selection.

Questions?

Please contact your local Laboratory Customer Service Department or Laboratory Account Manager:

Date submitted: 7/15/2026

Submitted by:
Adam J. Caulfield, Ph.D., D(ABMM) Director of Microbiology, on behalf of the Laboratory Stewardship Committee

July 21, 2026 by Laboratory Services