Rochester General Hospital
Frequently Asked Questions
What is laboratory testing?
Laboratory testing provides information using lab results to tell the physician about the state of your health through the collection of blood, tissue or body fluid specimens.
Why laboratory tests?
Doctors and health care practitioners use test results along with previous medical history , physical exam and perhaps additional tests to make the best decisions on how to promote best treatment and practice for you.
Who orders and interprets the test results?
The doctor or other health care professionals will provide that service. Remember that lab results are only one portion of the total diagnostic picture of your health.
How are lab tests used?
- Screening – identifies the risk of disease or medical condition in patients who present no symptoms. This allows for early diagnosis to better treat or to prevent disease from occurring, Good examples are Pap test and cholesterol levels.
- Diagnosis – to help to identify or exclude the presence of a condition or an illness in patients who have symptoms, such as a pregnancy test or a blood count for anemia. Sometimes the test will tell to practitioner what stage the disease is in.
- Management- to determine the prognosis or course of the disease. Used to monitor the progression of the disease. Determine remission or recurrence and to keep or alter the patients current treatment.
Where are the tests done?
Most of the testing is done at the primary Laboratory, Rochester General Hospital. Satellite laboratories, Newark and Lakeside Hospital, also have an extensive menu and perform most rapid response testing.
Where can I find more information about the tests my doctor has ordered?
One of the sites we would recommend for further exploration about the tests your doctor ordered is Lab Tests Online.
When will my results be ready?
Most results are ready by the next day. However, availability may vary depending on the type of test. If the patient’s state of health requires rapid results in order to determine treatment, certain results can be available within minutes or hours.
My doctor ordered some blood tests. Can I eat?
This is dependent upon the type of blood tests ordered; please ask your doctor or us at: (585) 922-4451.
Can I take my medications before I take my blood tests?
Please take your medication as directed by your doctor.
What are the instructions for collecting a 24-hour urine specimen?
You'll find the instructions on the collection container.
How accurate are Lab tests?
Laboratory results must be accurate, timely and precise in order to be of value to the practitioner. Results can vary from patient to patients and from one visit to the next, depending on the patients medical condition.
There are defined procedures for every aspect of collection and testing of the specimen. Results are monitored using an extensive quality control program. Governmental and private organizations periodically inspect the laboratory. Accreditation and licensure of the laboratory is dependent on a favorable outcome to these visits.
What kind of specimen is collected for drug testing?
Urine is the primary specimen because drugs are cleared out of the bloodstream primarily by the liver and kidneys and eliminated via the urine.
Does Rochester General Health System need authorization from a physician to perform a test on a urine specimen collected at home with a self-administered drug testing kit?
Rochestser General Hospital does not accept any urine specimens taken with a self-administered drug testing kit such as Veri-5.
How do I do a fertility test?
Specimens for fertility and post-vasectomy examination are done Tuesday through Friday. Prescheduled appointments by physicians or patients (through physician’s referral) are required. Appointments should be made by directly calling the Microbiology Laboratory at Rochester General Hospital at (585) 922-4555.
Specimens should be collected at home and then be submitted within one hour to the Laboratory between the hours of 8:00 am - 10:00 am. Although our laboratory is not optimally set up as a patient care area for sample collection, alternate arrangements may be made by utilizing the public restrooms of the laboratory.
Patients are directed to come directly to the RGH Outpatient Testing Area located off the lobby on the main floor of the hospital. Go directly to the admitting desk; do not take a number, and do not sit in the waiting area. The staff member at the desk will then contact Microbiology. Please bring the enclosed slip as a reminder. A technician will meet you in the Outpatient Testing Area to complete your paperwork and receive your sample.
Can I just walk into any Patient Service Center (PSC) and get a blood or urine test?
No, appointments are necessary for most lab testing at our PSCs. Mornings are busier than the afternoons. Unless you are fasting, please consider visiting one of our PSC’s after 10 am. Rochester General Health System is required by state regulations to have your doctor’s request for a test before we can collect any specimen and perform any tests. Please have the information on your requisition complete and your insurance card with you. We need to verify their insurance and demographic information each time.
How can I find the most convenient PSC location?
Please see the Patient Service Center (Specimen Collection Centers) for the location nearest you.
