|
The following information addresses frequently
asked questions about the utilization of the Laboratory at
the Health Service.
Q) How do I use the services available from
the Laboratory?
A) You must have an order from a practitioner
on the medical staff of the Health Service.
Q) Do I have to pay for these tests?
A) Many lab tests done on site are free of
charge. The exceptions are the pregnancy test, chlamydia,
RPR, and Rubella. Any test sent to our reference lab incurs
a charge. This price has been negotiated and is substantially
lower in comparison to the local community and the Chicago
area.
Q) Do I need to make an appointment for lab tests?
A) No, the Laboratory is open from 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday to walk-ins. However, if
your practitioner has requested you to fast, you must go
without food for at least 10 hours before having your blood
drawn.
Q) I saw my doctor at home over break and
some tests were ordered. Can you do them here?
A) Yes, but you must first see a Health Service
practitioner to have the orders documented in your chart
and rewritten. We do not accept orders from non-health service
practitioners directly. You may call 847 491-2204 to schedule
an appointment.
Q) When can I get my lab test results?
A) Most results are available within 24 hours,
often the same day. Some send-outs take longer. You may
call your practitioner to discuss results and further treatment.
Please do not call the Laboratory for your test results.
Q) What is that stuff in the bottom of the tube?
A) In tubes used to collect blood for tests
where serum is needed, a silicon gel is on the bottom of
the tube. When the blood clots and is spun, the gel rises
to separate the serum from the cells.
Q) How much blood are you taking?
A) The smaller tubes collect about 5 ml, and
the large tubes about twice that. Your body makes 30 ml
of new blood each day.
Q) Why do you have to take more than one tube of blood?
A) Some tubes contain an anticoagulant so
the blood does not clot. Other tests use serum, so the blood
is allowed to clot and then separated. Some tests require
special preservatives in the tube.
Q) Is this going to hurt?
A) Usually a stick to obtain blood hurts only
while the needle is breaking the skin, not much and only
for a second. It helps to look away.
Q) What is a CBC?
A) A CBC is a complete blood count . It counts
the number of of white blood cells (may indicate bacterial
or viral infection) and hemoglobin (to see if you are anemic).
We also look at the types of white cells that you have.
Sometimes we can detect mono this way.
Q) What is the total amount of blood in my
body?
A) The average amount is about 6 liters of
which 45% is cellular and 55% is the fluid known as plasma.
About 90% of the plasma is water.
Q) What is a Chemscreen?
A) This test, which we send to our reference
lab, measures 25 different analytes found in our bloodstream.
They include elements such as iron, sodium, and potassium;
enzymes; and molecules such as glucose, cholesterol, and
protein.
Any other questions may be answered by calling
the Laboratory directly at 847 491-2143.
|
