Health Services We Fund

Laboratory

Frequently Asked Questions

What do medical labs do?
Medical laboratories perform the tests ordered by doctors to help diagnose, treat and monitor their patients. When your doctor orders a lab test, we collect a specimen - usually a small sample of blood, urine or other body fluid. The specimens are tested and report the result to the doctor who ordered the tests.
Is there a difference between a collection centre and a hospital laboratory?
Labtests currently operates collection centres where samples are collected from patients who are not in hospital. These samples are transported and tested in the Labtests laboratory. Hospital laboratories focus mainly on patients who are in the hospital.
Where is my closest collection centre located?
To find your closest collection centre, please visit: http://labtests.co.nz/Collection-Centres.aspx
When are they open?
Days and hours of operation differ from location to location. For details of opening times in our region, please visit: http://labtests.co.nz/Collection-Centres/Collection-Centres-By-Region.aspx#CountiesManukau
What happens if I can’t attend a collection centre?
Labtests can arrange, via your health practitioner, a home visit specimen collection service for eligible referred patients. For more information, please visit:
http://labtests.co.nz/Information-for-Patients/Other-Services-We-Offer.aspx

Are my laboratory test results confidential?
Yes. Your medical information is confidential. The results of your laboratory tests are given only to your doctor and, if your doctor asks, the results will be reported to another doctor. For example, your doctor may have referred you to a specialist who also needs to see your lab reports.

When will my doctor get the results?
This depends on the tests your doctor ordered. While many results are reported within 24 hours of your visit to the collection room, some require more complex testing and can take longer. For example, a routine blood test result may be available within 24 hours, but a blood culture may require 48 hours.
How are the laboratory results given to my doctor?
There are a number of ways your doctor can receive results. The most common is a secure electronic link between your doctor’s computer system and the laboratories computer network. There are special procedures in place to alert doctors of results that they need to know urgently.
What will my tests tell my doctor?
You might be tested for a variety of reasons - because of a problem you've reported to your doctor, to check on a condition that has already been diagnosed, or maybe to see how you're responding to prescribed medication. These are just some of the reasons why your doctor might ask for a lab test.

There are hundreds of tests that could be ordered for different reasons. Also, different combinations of tests may be ordered for different reasons. That's why your doctor has ordered a certain test or what (s)he is looking for. Your doctor is the person to answer any questions you may have.

What will they ask me to do at the collection centre?
Laboratory tests are usually done on body fluids - most often blood and urine. Likely, a small amount of blood will be collected from you or you’ll be asked to bring a sample of your urine.

Fasting is required for some laboratory tests so you might be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours before your lab test.
Should I say something if I’ve never had a blood test before, or if I’m nervous about having one?
Yes, tell the staff at the collection room and they will do everything they can to make you comfortable and tell you in advance what to expect. Today, blood specimen collections procedures are quick and easy.
If I’ve had my blood taken before and it was "hard to get", should I mention that?
Yes, please. The staff are highly skilled, but you know more about your own body. Please tell the staff if you've had any problems in the past and they will do their best to make sure that things go smoothly.
How much blood will be taken? Will I be tired afterwards?
The amount of blood taken depends on the tests your doctor has ordered. However, with modern laboratory equipment, many tests require only small sample of blood. What may appear to be a lot of blood is usually no more than a teaspoon or two.

Because the amount of blood removed is small, you should not feel any ill effects.

Published: 09-Sep-2010 | Website enquiries: Web Content Manager