What to expect at your lab visit
We want you to have the best experience possible. Our goal is to make your visit as comfortable, safe, and simple as we can. If you have questions or concerns, please let us know at any time, before, during, or after your visit. Below are some actions you can take that will help improve your visit.
The day of your visit
If you have any questions on how to prepare, please call the lab location you are planning to visit or your provider.
Most importantly, make sure you drink plenty of water in the hours before your visit
- Being well hydrated helps our Phlebotomists find your veins, reduces the need to poke you a second time, and speeds up the collection process.
- Drinking water before your visit also ensures you will have the ability to produce a urine sample if your provider requires one.
Try to stay relaxed
- Stress causes your blood pressure to increase, which causes your blood vessels to constrict, making them harder to find and collect blood from.
Dry skin at the blood collection site can cause more pain
- Be sure to lotion your hands and lower arms. There is also a numbing cream that can be applied 30 to 45 minutes before your draw that decreases pain, but you will need to obtain a prescription from your provider and apply the cream 30 to 45 minutes before your visit.
We will ask you if you have any concerns or questions about the collection process
- Be sure to tell us if you are prone to fainting. Let us know if you have a ‘favorite’ vein for your blood collection.
During the draw, stay relaxed, breathe, and hold still
- If you are nervous about the blood draw or are prone to fainting, it's best to look away and focus on something else or talk with the Phlebotomist.
- Stress causes the blood vessels to constrict, making them harder to find.
After the draw, we will have you hold consistent pressure on the collection site with gauze
- This will help prevent a bruise from forming, speed up the clotting process, and prevent bleeding from the site later in the day.
If you are not feeling ready to stand up after the draw, please let us know and we will help you into a comfortable place to sit and wait until you are ready.
Your results will be sent electronically to your provider as soon as they are completed
- Results will also be sent to your MyChart account twice a day (6 am and noon).
- Most testing is completed within 48 hours; however, please be aware some testing does take longer.