Laboratory
The Loring Hospital Laboratory is dedicated to its patients and community. The laboratory provides testing for inpatients, outpatients, nursing homes and community wellness programs. The personnel in the laboratory are completely committed to quality and reliable testing.
Many in-house lab tests are offered and if a more specialized test is needed the specimen is sent to our reference lab, Quest Diagnostics. A courier from Quest Diagnostics comes Monday - Saturday to pick up specimens and deliver them to Quest Diagnostics in Chicago. The results are then sent to us through a printer that is connected directly to Quest.
All laboratory tests require a signed physician's order listing the tests and diagnosis. There is no need to schedule an appointment, just show up, with your signed order, during our outpatient services hours listed below. We will be happy to help you. Test results are sent directly to your physician.
Some tests require you to be fasting. Fasting requires eating a light meal for supper and then nothing to eat or drink (sips of water are okay or water taken with medications) at least 10-12 hours before having your blood drawn. The most common tests that require fasting are the Lipid Panel that includes cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL, and glucose.
If you have Medicare it may take a little extra time for processing. Medicare has changed its rules for payment of lab tests and will not pay for some tests that the doctor considers important. Medicare will not pay for tests that are part of a routine physical or screening for early detection of disease. Medicare will also deny payment if the patient has the same test too often, not medically necessary based on the doctor's diagnosis, or if the test is for research or experimental use only.
Hours of Operation:
Outpatient services:
Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
We request outpatients have their routine lab work done Monday through Friday during outpatient hours when the lab is fully staffed. Weekends are staffed with only one technician whose primary responsibility is to take care of hospital and emergency patients.
Inpatient services:
Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays: 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Laboratory staff is on call to provide emergency service after hours. If you have any questions, please call 712-662-6352 and someone from the lab will assist you.