After your
doctor has written you a request form, there are a number of
questions you may have regarding your tests.
Whilst the majority of our tests are from blood samples, other
tests may be performed on samples of tissue, urine, stools (faeces)
or other body fluids and secretions.
The collection staff at Melbourne Pathology are extensively
trained to ensure a professional encounter.
Some of the questions you may have are answered below:
• Do
I need to make an appointment for my tests?
• Can I claim on private health insurance for my
pathology tests?
• Why don't you have 'no-gap' agreements
with all private health funds?
• Do
I need to fast?
• What does 'fasting' involve?
• What do I need to bring for my
test?
• Do
I still take my medications?
• I
need to have a blood test - what does this involve?
• I
am nervous about having my blood taken - is it really
necessary?
• Am
I at risk of catching anything by having my blood taken?
• I
have to give a urine/sputum/stool test - how do I do
this?
• How do I know that my samples will not
be mixed up in the laboratory?
• I
have very difficult veins. How can I be sure your collectors can
get the sample?
• I
have recently had major surgery and cannot get to a collection
centre. How can I get my test done?
• When will my results be
ready?
• Can I
receive a copy of my results?
• Can I visit any centre for my
tests?
• My doctor has given me a container to
collect a sample. How do I deliver this to Melbourne
Pathology?
DO I
NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY TESTS?
For most tests an appointment is not
required and on arrival at the centre you will be attended to in
order. There are a small number of tests that
require an appointment and these are listed in Specialised test
details for each collection centre.
________________________________________
CAN I
CLAIM ON PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MY PATHOLOGY
TESTS?
Pathology tests are only eligible for private health insurance
rebates if they are taken when you are a hospital in-patient or
day-patient. Please see our billing policies for in-patients and
day patients.
Back to
top
________________________________________
WHY
DON'T YOU HAVE 'NO GAP' AGREEMENTS WITH ALL PRIVATE HEALTH
FUNDS?
Melbourne Pathology has 'no gap' agreements with 29 private health
insurance funds, which enables members of these funds to incur no
out-of-pocket fees for tests that are eligible for the Medicare
rebate. These agreements provide Melbourne Pathology with a fair
and reasonable payment for our professional services. We strive to
have agreements with all healthcare funds. Where we don't it is
because we were unable to negotiate the same terms that were
acceptable to all other participating funds.
Back to top
________________________________________
DO
I NEED TO FAST?
Not all tests require fasting beforehand. However, there are some
tests which will require you to fast for 8 - 15 hours, for example
cholesterol, lipids, fasting glucose. Fasting should not exceed 15
hours.
We recommend that you fast
overnight. You should drink water during this time and take
any medication you would normally take, unless advised otherwise by
your doctor.
Your doctor will inform you of any
tests that require fasting or you may contact Melbourne Pathology
for advice.
WHAT
DOES "FASTING" INVOLVE?
If fasting is required, you should not have anything to eat or
drink (except water) for 8 - 15 hours before your test (preferably
overnight). Unless advised by your doctor, you should
continue to take all regular medication.
If you are diabetic or have any concerns, please contact your
doctor before fasting.
Please notify us if you have fasted for longer than 15 hours as
prolonged fasting may affect your results.
WHAT DO
I NEED TO BRING FOR MY TEST?
You will need to bring with you to one of our collection
centres a pathology request form - which has been signed by your
doctor.
Please bring your Medicare card with you.
If you are on a pension or Health
Care card, including Veteran's Affairs, please bring these cards
with you. This will help us to bill you correctly.
________________________________________
DO I
STILL TAKE MY MEDICATIONS?
Your doctor will advise if you are to stop taking your medication.
Please check with your doctor if you are unsure.
I
NEED TO HAVE A BLOOD TEST- WHAT DOES THIS INVOLVE?
A blood test involves taking blood from a vein in your arm.
Our specimen collection staff are extensively trained in this
skill.
It is vital that we make sure all of
your personal details are correct. Our staff will ask for your
name, address and date birth and they will also check your contact
details, the doctor's details and other questions that are specific
to the testing (for example "Have you fasted for 8 - 12
hours?"). It is important that we obtain all of this
information on each occasion, even if you are a regular patient, to
ensure that we have the correct information on our records.
It is helpful if you can let us know if you have moved. This
will assist us to maintain one consistent record on each
patient.
When your details have been confirmed, the specimen collector will
examine your arm to find a suitable vein. If you feel
uncomfortable, please do not hesitate to inform our
collector. You may prefer to lie down if you are feeling
faint or nervous.
Once a suitable vein is found, the
collector will cleanse the skin with an alcohol swab and then
insert a sterile needle into your vein to obtain the sample.
Different tubes are required for different types of tests, so
there may be more than one tube of blood collected. All tubes will
be labelled with your name and date of birth. The collector
will ask you to read the label to confirm that your details have
been correctly recorded. Please do not hesitate to tell the
collector if there are any errors, including misspelling of your
name.
After the blood has been drawn and
the needle has been removed, pressure should be applied to the site
to minimise bleeding. It is important to maintian this
pressure until the bleeding has stopped. A cotton wool ball
and/or bandaid will be applied.
If you are aware that you have any
allergy to alcohol swabs or tapes please let our collector know and
we will find an alternative.
It is important that you avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise
in the following 24 hours to avoid bruising or bleeding.
If you have any concerns at all, please do not hesitate to contact
us prior to attending one of our collection centres or discuss your
concerns with our collectors.
______________________________________
I AM
NERVOUS ABOUT HAVING MY BLOOD TAKEN - IS IT REALLY
NECESSARY?
Our collection staff are extensively trained and will endeavour to
make you feel at ease. We encourage you to lie down for the
procedure if you are feeling uncomfortable. Relaxation
techniques such as deep breathing may also prove helpful.
Please inform our collection staff if you are feeling nervous or
anxious so that we may assist you with the procedure.
Your doctor has requested the pathology tests to be carried
out. If you are concerned about the necessity of these tests,
we encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.
________________________________________
AM I AT
RISK OF CATCHING ANYTHING BY HAVING MY BLOOD TAKEN?
No... It is the policy of Melbourne Pathology to utilise single
use sterile equipment when taking blood samples from
patients. No equipment that could cause infection is
reused. Our specimen collection staff are trained in
infection control.
I HAVE
TO GIVE A URINE/ SPUTUM/STOOL TEST - HOW DO I DO THIS?
As tests vary, the collectors will give you written instructions
on how to collect the sample. If you have any further
questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
________________________________________
HOW DO I
KNOW THAT MY SAMPLES WILL NOT BE MIXED UP IN THE
LABORATORY?
Our collection staff will confirm your details with you at every
visit. This is to ensure we have all the correct
information.
Each sample is carefully labelled at
the time of collection and you will be asked to check these
labels. Please do not hesitate to tell the collector if you
see any errors including misspelling of your name.
A laboratory number is placed on
your request form and samples to ensure they are not mixed
up. This number is unique and assists to ensure that the
correct tests are performed on each sample.
We have other checks in place
throughout the testing procedure to ensure the testing is performed
at the highest possible standard.
I HAVE
VERY DIFFICULT VEINS. HOW CAN I BE SURE YOUR COLLECTORS CAN GET THE
SAMPLE?
All of our collection staff are trained in pathology
collection. They learn how to take samples from a range of
patients, including those with 'difficult' veins. Ensuring
you have drunk adequate water and in the colder weather, keeping
yourself warm prior to your visit can assist. Let the staff
know about your 'difficult veins' prior to the collection.
Our collection staff are advised to
have only two attempts at taking your blood. You may be asked
to return at a later time or to attend an alternative collection
centre, if we are unsuccessful. Although this may seem
inconvenient, the aim is to assist you by ensuring we can collect
the samples to perform the tests your doctor has requested.
If you have any concerns about having your sample taken, we
encourage you to contact us before attending our collection
centres.
Some of our staff are specially trained to collect samples from
young children under six years of age. If you are bringing
your child along for a blood test, we would suggest that you
contact us to enquire if an appropriately experienced collector
will be available at the centre you are intending to visit.
________________________________________
I HAVE
RECENTLY HAD MAJOR SURGERY AND CANNOT GET TO A COLLECTION ROOM. HOW
CAN I GET MY TEST DONE?
To ensure the highest level of patient care, we encourage all
patients to visit their closest collection centre. These are
conveniently located across the greater Melbourne area. We
also have collection centres in a number of regional centres in
Victoria. Collection centre locations are listed on the back
of the referral form and may also be found under the Locations tab
on this website.
Your doctor may request that our domiciliary collectors visit your
home - this is a limited service for those patients with a genuine
need and must be requested in advance by your doctor.
WHEN
WILL MY RESULTS BE READY?
Routine test results are generally available within 2-3 days of
collection. However, some testing is more involved and may
take longer.
To assist you in organising an
appointment with your doctor, we encourage you to ask your doctor
when the results will be available.
CAN I
RECEIVE A COPY OF MY RESULTS?
Patients are entitled to receive a copy of their results if they
wish. However, interpretation of test results is complex and
Melbourne Pathology strongly advises patients to receive their
results by consultation with their doctor.
If you wish to obtain a copy of your results, Melbourne
Pathology requires your request in writing. Click here to download the Results Release
form. We advise patients to contact their doctor for interpretation
of their results.
For information about receiving personal copies of your pathology
results, please click here.
Back to
top
________________________________________
CAN I VISIT ANY COLLECTION CENTRE FOR MY
TESTS?
You can attend any of the
collection centres listed for most tests. Some tests, known
as 'specialised' tests can only be performed at specific collection
centres. To find a collection centre that performs the
specialised test you require, refer to our Collection Centres Locations page and
pick the 'Specialised test' from the drop down list (or navigate to
the centre of your choice and select 'Full Detail' to find
specialised tests performed at that centre).
What is a specialised
test?
These are tests which
are performed in collection centres specially equipped to
perform the test. Specialised tests commonly require an
appointment and instructions. Contact the staff at the
centre to arrange the appointment.
How do I know if I
need a specialised test?
________________________________________
MY DOCTOR GAVE ME A CONTAINER TO COLLECT A
SAMPLE - HOW DO I DELIVER THIS TO MELBOURNE PATHOLOGY?
Most samples can be dropped off at
any centre. It is important that you have written your full
name, your date of birth and the date and time you collected the
sample on the outside of the container. Some of our centres
have a drop off box in the waiting area where you can leave your
sample, in others you will need to speak with our staff.