Kaheka Kaheka Professional Center S. King Street Rm. Kailua A Kailua Professional Center 30 Aulike Street Kailua, HI Phone: Fax: Hours: M-F ampm. Kalihi A N. King Street, Suite 2 Honolulu, HI Phone: Fax: Hours: M-F ampm.

Kaneohe Kaneohe Medical Building Kamehameha Hwy. Kapolei Market Place at Kapolei Shop Ctr Farrington Hwy Kapolei, HI Phone: Fax: Hours: M-F ampm. Mililani Mililani Family Clinic Meheula Pkwy. B Mililani, HI Phone: Fax: Hours: M-F ampm Pearlridge East Office Center Pali Momi St.

POB 3 Queens Physician Office Bldg. However, the sample used for testing is often determined by the purpose of the particular test: a blood glucose test is used to help diagnose diabetes and monitor blood glucose levels in diabetics while urine glucose is one of the substances tested when a urinalysis is performed, such as when a urinary tract infection or kidney disorder is suspected.

Sometimes there are options for the type of sample, such as with HIV antibody testing blood, urine, and oral fluid screening tests are available , and in other situations, one particular type of sample is required.

Some samples such as urine, feces, and sputum can be collected as the body naturally eliminates them, while semen can be collected by the patient. Collection of some samples from young children or patients with physical limitations may require assistance. Usually, collecting these samples is painless, but obtaining them can occasionally be awkward and unpleasant because they involve elimination of bodily wastes and involve body parts and functions people prefer to keep private.

These facilities are usually designed to minimize sample handling by the patient and embarrassment. If you are sensitive to these issues and want to choose a healthcare provider or testing center that provides such options, you can ask about their procedures, their layout, and steps taken by the staff to ensure patient privacy and comfort.

Below are examples of types of samples typically collected by the patient. It is very important that all instructions for sample collection are carefully followed. Make sure you understand the instructions before collecting your specimen.

Male patients ejaculate into a specimen container, avoiding lubricants, condoms, or any other potentially contaminating materials. Usually, men need to refrain from ejaculating for at least 2 days prior but less than 7 days before collecting the specimen. The specimen must not be refrigerated but kept as close to body temperature as possible by placing the container in a pocket and delivering it to the laboratory within 60 minutes.

Patients are instructed to cough up sputum from as far down in the lungs as possible. A health practitioner may assist the patient in some situations.

This is best accomplished first thing in the morning before eating or drinking, by taking several deep breaths before expectorating into the collection cup. Sputum should be relatively thick and not as watery as seen when producing saliva. Patients usually collect this sample themselves during toileting, following instructions to prevent the sample from becoming contaminated from other material in the toilet bowl.

Patients may also be told to avoid certain foods during the test period. Depending on the test, patients may be instructed to collect the sample in a container, scoop a small portion into a vial, or smear a small amount on special test paper.

Wash your hands well after handling the sample. Most urine specimens are collected by having the patient urinate into a container or receptacle.

To keep the sample from becoming contaminated by materials outside the urinary tract, patients are given instructions on how to clean the genital area and void a bit of urine before collecting the specimen into the container.

If a urinary catheter is required, a health practitioner is usually responsible for insertion. Collecting the urine specimen is awkward but not in itself uncomfortable An infection, however, can create a burning sensation during urination.

For certain tests, hour urine samples are collected at home and must be refrigerated during the collection process. Remember to wash hands well after collecting the specimen. This type of sample may be collected using a swab or, if a larger volume is needed for testing, patients may be instructed to expectorate into a container without generating sputum.

This is a combination of saliva and oral mucosal transudate material crossing the buccal mucosa from the capillaries that is also collected from the mouth. For example, a rapid HIV test uses oral fluid. The patient collects the sample by using a special device to swab around their outer gums.

This type of sample may be collected using a special sweat stimulation procedure that is painless and allows sweat to be collected into a plastic coil of tubing or onto a piece of gauze or filter paper.

It is then analyzed for the amount of chloride in the sweat. Elevated levels of chloride suggest a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Some samples are collected by simply running a swab over the affected area. The sample may be sent to a laboratory for analysis although a few tests can provide in-office results in just a few minutes.

Throat, nasal, vaginal, and superficial wound cultures, for example, are obtained in this way. The procedures, while they may sometimes be uncomfortable, are generally quick, relatively painless, and have no after-effects. Samples of vaginal secretions are obtained by running a cotton swab over the walls of the vagina; cervical cells for a Pap test are obtained using a cotton swab and spatula or a tiny brush.

Endometrial tissue samples are obtained by inserting a thin, flexible, hollow tube into the uterus, during which you may feel a slight pinch or brief cramping. Patients may feel some emotional and physical discomfort during this procedure.

If you are physically uncomfortable, discuss this with your healthcare provider. The specimen is collected by running a swab over the area of interest and processed for testing, such as cultures. If the throat is sore, the sample collection, brief as it is, can be uncomfortable.

Similarly, a nasal swab may be a bit uncomfortable as the swab is inserted and reaches areas inside the nose that are typically never touched. Try to remember that the discomfort is temporary and ask your practitioner if there are ways to minimize any soreness that may result. If a wound or sore is located in the outer layer of skin, the specimen is typically collected on a swab by brushing the swab over the area and gathering a sample of fluid or pus.

Touching the open wound area may be temporarily painful since the wound is likely to be tender and sore. If a wound or infection is deep, however, a needle and syringe may be used to aspirate a sample of fluid or pus from the site.

Blood specimens are obtained in minimally invasive procedures conducted by specially trained physicians, nurses, or medical personnel.

Collection of tissue specimens is a more complex process and may require a local anesthetic in order to obtain a specimen. Because of the nature of these collections techniques, some pain or discomfort may be involved.

Knowing what the procedure involves may help alleviate some anxiety when having to undergo these types of sample collections. For more on this, see the article Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety.

Blood samples can be collected from blood vessels capillaries, veins, and sometimes arteries by trained phlebotomists or medical personnel.

The sample is obtained by needle puncture and withdrawn by suction through the needle into a special collection tube. Some specimens may be obtained by a finger puncture that produces a drop of blood, such as that used for glucose testing. The procedure usually takes just a few minutes and hurts just a bit, typically when the needle is inserted or from the puncture of a lancet.

See Tips on Blood Testing for more information. Samples of tissue may be obtained from a number of different body sites, such as breast, lung, lymph node, or skin.

Depending on the site and the degree of invasiveness, some pain or discomfort may occur. Español Other Languages. Test Directory Submitting Specimens to CDC. Minus Related Pages. More info. Search Narrow the results with a keyword, test title, test synonym, or point of contact:. Last Reviewed: January 29, Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases NCEZID.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. home Infectious Diseases Laboratories. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address.

• A list of addresses with check boxes to allow the collector to check the box Prepare the collection site to collect urine specimens: • Assemble supplies Comment: Prior to performing specimen collections for a Federal agency, each collector must demonstrate a working knowledge of the collection There are four steps involved in obtaining a good quality specimen for testing: (1) preparation of the patient, (2) collection of the specimen, (3) processing

Sample collection site directory - Missing • A list of addresses with check boxes to allow the collector to check the box Prepare the collection site to collect urine specimens: • Assemble supplies Comment: Prior to performing specimen collections for a Federal agency, each collector must demonstrate a working knowledge of the collection There are four steps involved in obtaining a good quality specimen for testing: (1) preparation of the patient, (2) collection of the specimen, (3) processing

Insurance lookup tool. Is Quest in-network with your health plan? Use our convenient insurance lookup tool to find out. Access your test results Family test results FAQ: Understanding test results. Access your test results. Family test results. FAQ: Understanding test results.

Access results online. Log into MyQuest ® to book or reschedule a lab visit, view test results, and more. Test Directory. Access patient results. Tests by specialty Specimen handling. Tests by specialty.

Specimen handling. Connect with an industry-leading medical expert. Complement your expertise with clinical consultations from Quest. About our tests. Autoimmune diseases. Cardiovascular disease. Chronic kidney disease. Clinical drug monitoring.

Medicaid limited coverage policies. Electronic billing. Pay a physician or hospital bill. Resolve lab test orders faster - and streamline your workflow. Quanum Lab Services Manager Quanum Practice Solutions. Quanum Lab Services Manager. Quanum Practice Solutions.

Real-time Priority and STAT results via Quest Lab Alert for Physicians. Clinical experts Clinical Education Center Diagnostic Insights. Clinical experts. Clinical Education Center. Diagnostic Insights. Solutions for hospital lab managers.

The tools and services to make your lab more efficient and optimize patient care. Collaborations that power better care. Lab tests by specialty. Cancer Genetics Neurology Women's health Clinical drug monitoring Infectious diseases. Women's health.

Infectious diseases. Explore the Test Directory. Identify liver disease risk. Lab management solutions. Lab operations Lab testing consolidation Lab stewardship Clinical solutions Getting back to care Outreach services.

Lab operations. Lab testing consolidation. Lab stewardship. Clinical solutions. Getting back to care. Outreach services. Meet our clinical experts. Complement your expertise with ours to improve test selection and interpretation.

Explore lab stewardship. Drive efficiency and better patient outcomes. Collaborative lab solutions Outreach partnerships Clinical support Diagnostic excellence Academic collaboration Population health Enterprise content management Transplant testing.

Collaborative lab solutions. Outreach partnerships. Clinical support. Blood specimens are obtained in minimally invasive procedures conducted by specially trained physicians, nurses, or medical personnel.

Collection of tissue specimens is a more complex process and may require a local anesthetic in order to obtain a specimen. Because of the nature of these collections techniques, some pain or discomfort may be involved. Knowing what the procedure involves may help alleviate some anxiety when having to undergo these types of sample collections.

For more on this, see the article Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety. Blood samples can be collected from blood vessels capillaries, veins, and sometimes arteries by trained phlebotomists or medical personnel.

The sample is obtained by needle puncture and withdrawn by suction through the needle into a special collection tube. Some specimens may be obtained by a finger puncture that produces a drop of blood, such as that used for glucose testing.

The procedure usually takes just a few minutes and hurts just a bit, typically when the needle is inserted or from the puncture of a lancet. See Tips on Blood Testing for more information.

Samples of tissue may be obtained from a number of different body sites, such as breast, lung, lymph node, or skin. Depending on the site and the degree of invasiveness, some pain or discomfort may occur. The time required to perform the procedure and for recovery can also vary greatly.

These procedures are conducted by healthcare providers who have had specialized training. Tissue biopsies can be collected using procedures, such as:. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is obtained by lumbar puncture, often called a spinal tap.

It is a special but relatively routine procedure. It is performed while the person is lying on their side in a curled up, fetal position or sometimes in a sitting position. The back is cleaned with an antiseptic and a local anesthetic is injected under the skin. A special needle is inserted through the skin, between two vertebrae, and into the spinal canal.

The health practitioner collects a small amount of CSF in multiple sterile vials; the needle is withdrawn and a sterile dressing and pressure are applied to the puncture site.

The patient will then be asked to lie quietly in a flat position, without lifting their head, for one or more hours to avoid a potential post-test spinal headache.

The lumbar puncture procedure usually takes less than half an hour. Discomfort levels can vary greatly. The most common sensation is a feeling of pressure when the needle is introduced. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience a headache or any abnormal sensations, such as pain, numbness, or tingling in your legs, or pain at the puncture site.

Other body fluids such as synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, and pericardial fluid are collected using procedures similar to that used for CSF in that they require aspiration of a sample of the fluid through a needle into a collection vessel. These are generally more complex type of collections and often require some patient preparation, use of a local anesthetic, and a resting period following sample collection.

For details, see the descriptions for arthrocentesis , paracentesis , thoracentesis , and pericardiocentesis.

Both types of samples are most often collected from the hip bone iliac crest. In some instances, marrow collection may be collected from the breastbone sternum. Almost all patients are given a mild sedative before the procedure, then asked to lie down on their stomach or side for the collection.

The site is cleaned with an antiseptic and injected with a local anesthetic, treating it as a typical surgical field. When the site has numbed, the health practitioner inserts a needle through the skin and into the bone. For an aspiration, a syringe is attached to the needle and bone marrow fluid is aspirated.

For a bone marrow biopsy, a special needle is used to collect a core a cylindrical sample of bone and marrow. After the needle has been withdrawn, a sterile bandage is placed over the site and pressure is applied.

In some instances, the procedure may be repeated on the opposite hip bilateral bone marrow , most often done as part of the initial diagnostic workup. The patient is then instructed to lie quietly until their blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are normal, and then to keep the collection site dry and covered for about 48 hours.

A sample of amniotic fluid is obtained using a procedure called amniocentesis to detect and diagnose certain birth defects, genetic diseases, and chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus. Amniotic fluid surrounds, protects, and nourishes a growing fetus during pregnancy. A sample about 1 ounce of amniotic fluid is aspirated by inserting a thin needle through the belly and uterus into the amniotic sac, collecting both cellular and chemical constituents that are analyzed to detect certain genetic abnormalities that may be present.

A Directory of Medical Tests. Accessed December Pagana K, Pagana T. Louis: Mosby Elsevier; October 16, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Biopsy.

Accessed October Illustrated Guide to Diagnostic Tests, Student Version. Lewis JV, ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp. Slupik RI, ed. New York: Random House, Caregiving: A Step-By-Step Resource for Caring for the Person with Cancer at Home.

Houts PS and Bucher JA, eds. American Cancer Society, About Site on Mental Health Resources. Accessed May Thompson, ED. Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing. Philadelphia, Pa: W. More information is available on these resources and how to safely ship specimens to Stanford.

Customer Service Phone: Anatomic Pathology Anatomic Path Clinical Pathology Clinical Path Autopsy Pathology Cytopathology Dermatopathology Hematopathology Neuropathology Ophthalmic Pathology Pediatric Pathology. Biochemical Genetics Clinical Chemistry Flow Cytometry Hematology Hematopathology.

Biochemical Genetics Molecular Genetic Pathology. View All Info ». Transfusion Medicine Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Lab HLA. Stanford Blood Center. Anatomic Pathology. Clinical Pathology. Reference Lab Testing.

Test Directory. Contact Us. About Us Careers Billing. Patient Information. Find a Test.

Video