Frequently Asked Questions
Where
do I go to have my blood drawn and/or urine collected for laboratory
tests?
Go to the OSF Medical Office Building, Suite 101, to have blood drawn or
urine collected. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through
Friday. For most laboratory tests, no appointment is necessary.
Exceptions are the Glucose Tolerance Test, where appointments are
advised. For hours other than these, you must go to the Emergency
Department for registration.
Can I get the results of my
laboratory tests by calling the laboratory?
The Laboratory staff is prohibited from giving results to patients or
their families except in rare circumstances where the physician has
written an order indicating to whom results can be given. Results are
sent from the Laboratory to your physician.
What does fasting mean,
regarding laboratory tests?
Fasting means that you do not eat, smoke or drink anything but water
during the specified time.
What laboratory tests require
that I fast before having my blood drawn?
The most commonly ordered fasting tests are:
- fasting blood glucose (sugar); fast
for 6 to 8 hours
- lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides,
HDL); fast for 12 to 14 hours
- gastrin; fast for 12 hours
- viral antibody tests such as influenza
antibody, which are performed by a method known as complement
fixation; fast for 6 to 8 hours
What is a "clean catch" urine
specimen, and why is it important?
A clean catch specimen requires that you clean the external area of the
urinary tract. This is important because the many bacteria normally on
this area could interfere with and cause confusion and misleading
results in tests done on the urine.
What is a 24-hour urine
collection?
For some laboratory tests, all urine during a 24-hour period must be
collected and added to a large jug, which is provided by the laboratory.
It is most important that every drop of urine during the 24 hours be
added to the jug, as total volume is used in calculation of the test
result. Your physician or the laboratory staff will give you specific
instructions about the collection.
What do I need to know about the
"colorectal cancer screen?"
A test for blood in your stool, which can indicate colon cancer, is a
simple test in which you apply a portion of your stool to a special card
and return it to the Laboratory for testing. It is important for you to
know that you do not collect samples during, or until three days after
your menstrual period, or while you have bleeding hemorrhoids or blood
in the urine. For accurate results, the following diet should be
followed for at least 48 hours before collection stool samples.
Foods to eat:
- Well cooked pork, poultry or fish
- Any cooked fruits and vegetables
- High fiber foods
Foods to avoid:
- Red meat
- Any raw fruits and vegetables
(especially melons, radishes, turnips and horseradish)
- Vitamin C in excess of 250 mg/day
- Aspirin or other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (avoid seven days prior to test)
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