Effective September 1, 2026, patients returning specimens to Corewell Health outpatient laboratory locations will only be able to drop off specimens during the laboratory’s posted business hours.
To ensure appropriate specimen handling, preservation, and timely processing, specimens will not be accepted outside of outpatient laboratory operating hours. Inpatient laboratory staff and laboratory technicians will not accept outpatient specimens after outpatient laboratory services have closed for the day.
We ask that:
- Physicians, providers, clinicians and office staff inform patients of this requirement when providing collection instructions or take-home collection kits.
- Patient Access teams reinforce this information when scheduling, registering, or assisting patients.
This change applies to all outpatient specimen drop-offs at participating Corewell Health outpatient laboratory locations.
Please note that specimens presented outside of outpatient laboratory business hours may be rejected, and patients may be required to recollect their specimen if applicable stability requirements cannot be met.
We appreciate your partnership and assistance in communicating this change to patients. If you have any questions, please contact the Laboratory Services Team.