The Blind River District Health Centre's laboratory employs a professional, dedicated and caring team of Registered Medical Laboratory Technologists.
» OUT-PATIENT HOURS
7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Extra staff is available from 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. to handle the increased volume of outpatients.
» DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT?
Appointments are needed for Glucose Tolerance Tests (GTT), Electrocardiograms (ECGs) and Holter Monitors. There are a few other specialized blood tests that require an appointment. Please call if you are unsure.
Phone : (705) 356-2265 Ext. 2580
» MAY I EAT BREAKFAST?
An overnight fasting specimen is usually the preferred sample for the laboratory. Eating before blood tests is permitted if the Physician or Nurse Practitioner indicates that a random sample is adequate for the test. Some tests require a longer fasting time. For example, 14 hour fast for Cholesterol and Triglycerides. NB: You are allowed normal water intake during this fasting period.
» MAY I TAKE MY MEDICATION?
Unless otherwise directed by your Physician or Nurse Practitioner, you should take your
medication on schedule. If you are having a blood test to monitor medications, be sure that you know your dosage and the last time that it was taken, for example, Digoxin or Coumadin. Ideally, you should take your medication at least 6 hours before coming to the Laboratory for testing.
» WHAT DO I NEED?
Laboratory Request Slip
A Laboratory Request Slip is required from your Physician or Nurse Practitioner before any samples can be obtained. Please read and follow the instructions on the form.
Burgundy Blind River District Health Centre Card
All your information in the Health Centre is filed using the Chart Number on this card.
Blind River District Health Centre Outpatient Form
An Outpatient form is required only if you have an ECG or Holter Monitor appointment. Please present to the Admitting desk upon your arrival.
» HOW DO I COLLECT?
URINE SPECIMENS
Routine
A first morning midstream clean catch urine is the preferred sample.
Microalbumin
A first morning midstream clean catch urine is the required sample.
General Procedure
Wash the genital area well with soap and water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Initiate the urine flow and allow a small amount of urine to pass into the toilet, and then collect the middle of urine flow
(midstream) into the container provided.
24-Hour Urine Collection
When collecting a 24-hour urine, the first sample is discarded and all the urine passed over the next 24 hour period is collected into the container provided. It is important that all the urine is collected or the results will be compromised. The sample should be kept in a cool place for the entire period of collection. Some 24 hour procedures such as Creatinine Clearance also require a blood test and your height and weight.
N.B. If the sample is not being brought into the Laboratory soon after collection, please keep the sample refrigerated.
» OCCULT BLOOD SPECIMENS
The purpose of the test is to identify blood in stool that is not readily visible. Three separate stool specimens are generally required to be tested. It is very important that the proper procedure for collection is followed. Instructions are provided by the Laboratory that indicate food and drugs to avoid during the time of collection.
» SPUTUM / STOOL CULTURES
The Laboratory provides containers. Samples must be brought to the Laboratory immediately after collection. Prior to collecting sputum samples, rinse your mouth with water, then cough up a deep specimen from your chest. Saliva, or a sample heavily contaminated with Saliva, is not suitable and must be discarded.
» URINE / SPUTUM CYTOLOGY
Containers and instruction sheets are provided by the Laboratory. The samples must be preserved immediately after collection. A bottle of preservative is provided and must be mixed in equal parts with the specimen. Three samples are usually requested and can be brought to the laboratory together.
» GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TESTS
The test may be 3 or 5 hours in duration and must be booked in advance. The patient must remain in the waiting room for the entire procedure. The patient must fast overnight and bring in a first morning urine specimen. After a fasting sample is taken, a glucose drink is consumed. Blood specimens are taken at half-hour intervals for the first 2 hours and then every hour up to 3 or 5 hours. Urine specimens are collected hourly. The patient is advised to report any symptoms that present over the course of the test.
N.B.: WHEN BRINGING SPECIMENS TO THE LABORATORY, THEY MUST HAVE YOUR NAME, DATE AND TIME OF COLLECTION. IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT ON THE SPECIMEN IT WILL BE DISCARDED.
