Frequently Asked Questions
At no time will a medical excuse be given to a student who has not been seen by a provider in Boyd Health Services for the illness they are seeking an excuse for. If you will be absent from class due to illness, you are responsible for calling or emailing your instructors as soon as possible to notify them of your illness and to determine how best to make up the class time or missed assignments. Please note that class absence policies – excused or unexcused – are at the discretion of the instructors.
Yes. The APSU Diagnostic Laboratory is accredited by CLIA. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) is a federal program governed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Its purpose is to establish quality standards for clinical laboratory testing to ensure that patient test results are accurate and reliable. Our CLIA number is # 44D2206501.
We have Medical Laboratory Scientists on staff that provide high-quality patient care. They have a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in their field, attended clinical rotations, and have achieved national certification through the American Society of Clinical Pathology, or the American Medical Technologists board.
As of Spring 2025, we can perform STI testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas. We can also perform flu, strep, and covid testing, but you must sign a Refusal to See Provider document since we are not providers and therefore cannot diagnose. Any test results you receive you may take to your provider of choice for treatment.
We recommend appointments to reserve time for your needs. There are a limited number of same-day appointments. Whenever possible, we recommend emailing ahead of time, or using the following link to schedule: Appointments
We are open from 8:00 to 4:30, Monday through Friday, except for legal holidays. Late appointments available several days during the semester, call for more information.
In case of an emergency, do not try getting to a hospital on your own. Call 911 for immediate and rapid transport to an emergency facility, such as a hospital where the necessary equipment and resources are available. Boyd Health & Counseling is NOT an emergency facility.
No.
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There are no hidden charges, but sometimes there is confusion about laboratory charges. Some laboratory tests are paired, meaning further testing may be done of a specimen depending on results of an initial test. We put through charges for the first test, but must bill you separately if a follow-up test is done. Our providers order only those tests they consider necessary. We provide clear fee structures and lists before rendering service so you know what you will be charged.
This is a question frequently asked. First, the law protects the privacy of medical and counseling records. Except in the highly unusual circumstance like a court order or an emergency, no one can see your health or counseling record unless a written authorization is signed by you, your parent if you are a minor, or your legal guardian. Apart from these circumstances, your records are not available to your parents, teachers, administrators, or anyone else. Even with an authorization signed by the parent of a minor, there is some clinical information that will not be released. We train our staff to pay careful attention to the handling and storage of medical records.
The only information the diagnostic laboratory has access to is any laboratory testing performed through us. We cannot access your health, counseling, or outside provider’s records. The same is true in reverse, no one but the diagnostic laboratory has access to your test results. If you choose to seek an outside provider’s assistance, or to see a provider in Student Health Services, we can work with them to send them the results.
Per CLIA regulations, we only keep laboratory results for 2 years. They are held in a secure area within our building behind two sets of locked doors. Only authorized staff have access to the keys. After 2 years your records are shredded.
We, the staff of the Diagnostic Laboratory, respect you and your health care needs. We work hard to safeguard your confidentiality. Should you have questions about the confidentiality of your record not covered here, please feel free to talk to your provider, therapist or the Laboratory Director at 931-221-7335.
Yes! Bring your signed doctor's order and we will send them your results. Please make sure there is a fax number.