Blood Tests In Our Lab – No Need To Go Elsewhere

Fast And Convenient

There is a good chance that, at some point in your life, you will need to get blood work. There have been many advancements in the area of phlebotomy (the process of taking blood) that have allowed the procedure to become as painless and least-invasive as possible. Blood work can usually be done in just a few minutes, and only a small amount of blood will need to be taken. At First Choice Medical we have a full lab similar to hospitals, and we do blood work on-site. No need to make another appointment or drive elsewhere, it faster, much more convenient, and usually costs less. In this post we look a little closer at having a blood test.

What is blood work?

When a doctor orders blood work, what exactly does that mean? A person’s blood can be tested for many different things and can give the doctor much insight as to what is going on in a person’s body. However, getting blood work will require the collaboration of a few different people.

• Doctor – The doctor will order the blood work and which specific things for which the blood should be tested. He will then read and interpret the results before delivering a report to the patient.
• Phlebotomist or nurse – This person is the one who will do the act of taking blood.
• Lab – After the blood sample is taken, it will be tested in our lab. The results will be reviewed by the ordering doctor.

One thing that many people do not understand is that your blood sample is only tested for the specific reason that your doctor determines is needed. Just because you are having your blood tested does not mean that the lab will find anything that could possibly be wrong with you. They will only find what your doctor is looking for.

Preparing for blood work

The way that you prepare for blood work may depend on why your blood is being tested, and these instructions will be given by your doctor or the lab. Some tests may require fasting, some may require taking specific medication at a certain time, and others will have no restrictions at all. However, the basics remain the same.

• Tests which require fasting may require a 2nd visit if not anticipated as part of your appointment scheduling.
• Before you go to get your blood work done, make sure that you are properly hydrated.
• Make sure that you inform the phlebotomist of any medications you are taking and when your last dose was taken.

Process of getting blood work

If you have never had your blood taken, here is what you can expect:

• You will be asked to sit in a chair and choose an arm from which to take the blood.
• The phlebotomist or nurse will tie a rubber tourniquet around the upper arm, find the vein, and insert a needle.
• A vacuum tube will be used to collect a certain amount of blood. One of these will be filled for each test your doctor orders.
• The nurse will bandage your arm to ensure the bleeding stops.

Blood work results

As previously stated, the blood will be processed in our lab for analysis, and the test results will be reviewed by your doctor. Lab time can vary, it can take from a few days for some tests to go through timed tests such as growing a culture. Once the results are ready the doctor may have an answer immediately, or may simply place a phone call and let you know the results; other times, you may need to make an appointment to discuss the results with your doctor.

Summary

When a doctor orders blood work, do you know what to expect? If you understand why the blood work is being done, what is being tested, what you need to do in preparation, and the actual process used, then getting your blood taken will be as stress free as possible.

Blood work can be ordered by a doctor for a multitude of reasons, from confirming a pregnancy to checking medication levels to testing for infection or disease. While the process will be similar in all of these situations, there may be specific instructions or restrictions given by your doctor when ordering your blood work. Make sure that these instructions are followed carefully so that you blood work results will be as accurate as possible.