Instructions to Prepare for Your Lab

Preparing for your test

Having lab work done can be intimidating. We want to do everything we can to make your experience as comfortable and efficient as possible, regardless of whether you're providing a blood sample, urine specimen or both.

To help us serve you, please have the following items and information available for the technician:

• Photo identification
• Current insurance information
• Laboratory order from your doctor indicating the test(s) to be performed

If you have any special instructions or needs, please notify the technician before your speciman is collected.

Preparing for accurate results

If your doctor has ordered a test that requires you to fast, you may not eat or drink anything except water for eight before having your blood drawn. In addition, you may not chew gum, smoke or exercise while you are fasting because these activities can affect metabolism and may alter some of your results. For additional information about fasting in preparation for a blood test, please refer to our brochure, "Fasting Instructions."

Since a large percentage of decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment are based on laboratory test results, it is important that a patient take the necessary steps to ensure that the test results are accurate.

When your physician orders a specific lab test for you, he or she will give you the proper directions in order to prepare for the test. Many tests do not require any special instructions; others require preparation, such as fasting. Ask your physician or nurse for any specific preparation that you need to make prior to your lab test.

Click here for a check list with the questions you need to ask your health care provider regarding lab results.