Where can you go for blood work?

Blood tests are important tools doctors use to evaluate your health, but many doctors don't take blood samples in their offices. Now, the options for places to have your blood drawn are increasing. "It's being driven by demand. There aren't enough freestanding labs to meet consumer needs. We're seeing more providers and more insurance companies willing to work with them," says Ritu Ward, vice president of Laboratory Services at Beth Israel Lahey Health.

What are the options?

When your doctor asks you to get a blood test, it's up to you to decide where to have your blood drawn. You may make the decision based on your doctor's referral, costs, convenience, transportation, or whether you need an appointment (many places take walk-ins). In any case, you'll need a doctor's order (on paper or sent by your doctor's office) to have the test performed (and to ensure insurance coverage) at any of the following places.

Hospitals. Hospitals often have outpatient labs that offer a full range of testing. Note: Many hospitals are part of hospital networks, and another hospital in the network may be closer to your home or office than the hospital you normally use.

Freestanding labs. These labs are collection sites for independent commercial laboratories. They may be part of a large national chain, such as Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, or small, local independent labs.

Drugstore clinics. Clinics at some drugstores, such as Walgreens, can draw your blood with a doctor's order.

Urgent care centers. Urgent care centers aren't just for sprained ankles or the flu. Some allow you to walk in and have blood drawn.

Your home or office. Mobile blood collection services come to you, draw a blood sample, and then take it to a lab for processing. Appointments are required. These providers might be independent operators or representatives from a large lab.

Considerations

Consider several factors when you're deciding where to have blood drawn. Here are some questions to ask.

Who'll draw the blood? Will the person collecting the sample be a trained, certified phlebotomist (skilled and experienced in drawing blood)? Not every state requires that degree of expertise, which means anyone (even someone with minimum training) can draw blood.

Will your doctor get the results? Make sure the doctor ordering the tests can receive the results directly.

Can you get in and out quickly? While it's possible to walk into many labs, you may have to wait longer if you don't have an appointment.

Does the phlebotomist have the equipment and know-how to find small veins? If you've been told you have veins that are hard to find, the phlebotomist may need specially sized needles or a vein finder device.

How much will this cost? Medicare covers many blood tests, but some are not covered (such as certain screening tests if you don't have any disease symptoms). A little shopping around will pay off, since labs charge different rates. And some mobile phlebotomy services tack on additional fees.

Being proactive

You can take a few steps to ensure that your blood draw is safe and accurate.

Follow instructions. Some tests, such as those measuring blood sugar, may require you to fast for a certain number of hours beforehand. Breaking the rule will affect test results or require you to postpone testing.

Stay hydrated. "That helps plump up your veins, making it easier for the phlebotomist to find them, which can help you avoid pain," Ward says. You need four to six cups of fluids per day, and some of that can come from watery foods like fruit and soup.

Stay alert. Watch out for sketchy-looking laboratories or lab practices. Ward advises that you look for a clean environment, with clearly identified biohazard disposal for needles. "Make sure the person collecting your blood is wearing gloves, uses a new tourniquet to clamp your arm before the blood is drawn, and labels the blood tubes with your name," she says.

Speak up. If you see that the staff doesn't seem to be following proper procedures, say something immediately. For example, ask technicians to wear gloves if they're not wearing them. Ask to see that your name is on the tubes of blood. "Seventy percent of errors happen during the collection stage," Ward says. "Make sure your specimen is collected under the best conditions possible."

Image: © Yoshiyoshi Hirokawa/Getty Images