Metropolitan Medical Laboratory, PLC
 QC Pathologists, LLC
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Patients' frequently asked questions:

• What does fasting mean and how long do I have to fast?
• Can copies of my lab work be sent to my other doctors?
• How much will my lab work cost?
• When will I get the results of my test?
• What are the hours, phone numbers, and addresses of any Metro facility?
• I would like more information about hepatitis.
• What types of specimens are required for testing and how are they obtained?
• I have a bruise and swelling after having my blood drawn. What should I do?

Physicians' frequently asked questions:

• What types of tubes are used for various tests?
• Can you make a special profile for my office to use?

Responses

What does fasting mean and how long do I have to fast?

Fasting means no intake of food for a limited time. Some tests like lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins require a 14-hour fast. For these tests nothing should be eaten for 14 hours prior to the specimen being drawn. The evening before the specimen is drawn, your meal should contain no fatty foods or alcohol, and the meal should be completed before 6 pm. You may have sips of water as well as enough water to take medication and brush your teeth. Top

Can copies of my lab work be sent to my other doctors?

The results of laboratory work are owned by the patient, so you may give that lab work to whomever you wish. When asking that your results be sent to another physician (other than your ordering physician), you may find that some physicians request NOT to have copies of lab results ordered by another physician. (This may happen if you are not regularly seen by the other physician, or if the lab tests ordered are for a different illness than that being treated by the other physician.) We would be happy to provide you with a copy of your lab results for you to take to another doctor or to keep for your own records. Top

How much will my lab work cost?

The price of the lab work depends on the type of testing that your physician has ordered. Sometimes tests with very similar names can have different charges based on the complexity of testing technology required. Your cost may also depend on whether you have health insurance that covers some or all of the cost of the test. There are thousands of different insurance plans with constantly changing deductibles and qualifications, so answering the "How much will this cost me?" question is not always simple. Bringing your insurance cards with you when you come to the laboratory will help us bill your insurance to reduce your out of pocket expense. Top

What types of tubes are used for various tests?

It depends upon the test that is ordered. You may check our on-line Reference Guide for descriptions of the tests. Top

When will I get the results of my test?

Most routine tests will be completed within 24 - 48 hours. Some infectious disease procedures require 48 hours or more to complete. If the test needs to be sent to an outside reference laboratory, this will increase the time for the test to be reported. Please check the Reference Guide for analytic times and the days the test is performed. Top

What are the hours, phone numbers, and addresses of any Metro facility?

Besides our main Moline and Davenport facilities featured on the Contact page, we have laboratories at the Trinity and Genesis System hospitals as well as at several clinics.

I would like more information about hepatitis.

Definition:

• Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.

Causes of liver inflammation:

• The causes are parasites, bacterial infection, chemical agents, and viral infection.
• The most common cause is viruses, including--
  • Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • Hepatitis D virus (HDV)
  • Hepatitis E virus (HEV)

Range of health effects:

• Mild: Many cases are mild (especially in children), flu-like symptoms may occur.
• Less mild: Some result in liver damage and impairment of normal liver functions.
• Severe: More severe effects are chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary cancer of the liver.
  (Hepatitis B/C tends toward the potential for complications)

Transmission routes and detection:

Hepatitis Virus HAV HBV HCV HDV HEV Source fecal/oral blood/body fluids blood/body fluids blood/body fluids fecal/oral Symptom mild mild-severe mild-severe mild-severe mild except pregnancy Mode of transmission   • improper hygiene • contaminated food   • infected blood • infected blood products • sexual contact • illicit IV drug use • sharing razor/toothbrush • infected blood • infected blood products • sexual contact     contaminated food/water   Marker anti-HAV HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-Hbe, HBeAg, anti-HBs anti-HCV anti-HDV anti-HEV Target Population all society people receiving transfusions dialysis or IV drug user people w/ HBV travelers to Asia and Africa

Regarding carriers of hepatitis B/C viruses:

• Up to 10% of adults may become carriers capable of spreading the disease to others for an indefinite amount of time.
  
• Chronic carriers may have no symptoms; however, they have the greatest potential for developing longterm complications.
  

For more information, check this website: Hepatitis Foundation International. Top

 

What types of specimens are required for testing and how are they obtained? How is a specimen taken from my child?

The types of specimens that can be tested are blood, fluid, sputum, swabs, urine, or feces. We can provide you with a container and instructions on collection of a specimen in your home .

For children, we have blood collection devices called microtainers. These allow a smaller amount of blood to be collected. When blood needs to be drawn the smallest needles are used; although the tubes may look large, most hold under a tablespoon of blood.

For babies, we can provide a special infant plastic collection bag (called an Infant U-Bag) to collect urine. For stools, saran wrap in a diaper will work to contain the specimen (or putting the diaper on "inside-out" so that the plastic side faces inward). Immediately after a specimen is available, transfer the contents to a sterile container, available from our laboratory.

If the specimen is collected by the patient at home, he or she must be aware of the method of preservation until the specimen can be brought to the lab. Many specimens will need to be refrigerated until they are turned in at the lab. Please contact the lab for instructions on collection and preservation of the specimen. Top

Can you make a special test profile for my office to use?

Metropolitan Medical Laboratory, P.L.C. uses profiles as listed in the annual CPT listing. This allows us to be consistent with all insurance carriers for billing. Top

I have a bruise and swelling after having my blood drawn, what should I do?

It is not unusual to develop a bruise after having a blood sample drawn. This occurs when blood escapes from the vein and gets under the skin before the puncture site heals. To help keep the bruise minimal:

1. Avoid rapid movements of the arm and lifting of heavy objects. If the site does begin to bleed due to movement, apply pressure to the site until it stops. If a lump appears beneath the skin, apply a cold compress(ice) to the site.
2. Leave the bandage on for at least one hour.
3. If you feel that the bruise is significant, during the first 24 hours, you may periodically apply an ice pack to the bruise site for 15-20 minutes at a time this will help to reduce the swelling.
4. During the next 24 hours, you may periodically apply heat to the bruise site . This helps the body remove the blood from under the skin.
5. If you are concerned about the bruise contact your personal physician.