Outpatient Laboratory Services

Laboratory procedures can be scary for a child. Our dedicated lab assistants are well trained in pediatric phlebotomy techniques and are skilled in handling the special needs of children. We manage your child's pain by using a variety of age appropriate methods and practices. Child Life specialists work in the outpatient laboratory to prepare and support patients before, during and after the blood collection procedure. They explain everything in age appropriate language, encourage positive coping, and provide distraction and emotional support. Child Life specialists utilize various tools to aid in the overall success of the procedure, including medical play and visual aids.

How Do We Handle Your Child's Pain?

Heel Stick

For infants under a year, when only a small amount of blood is needed, the lab assistant can perform a heel stick. The heel is warmed with a special gel pouch and then pricked with a special heel stick device. The heel is squeezed gently and blood is collected into small special tubes to be sent to the laboratory for testing.

Finger Stick

For children at least a year old, when only a small amount of blood is needed, the lab assistant can perform a finger stick. The finger is warmed with a special gel pouch and then pricked with a special finger stick device. The finger is squeezed gently and blood is collected into small tubes to be sent to the laboratory for testing.

Venipuncture

When more blood is required for testing than can be obtained from a finger stick or heel stick, a venipuncture may be required. A small specialized needle called a butterfly needle is used to withdraw blood from a vein. The veins most commonly used for venipuncture are in the bend of the arm near the elbow or in the hand. Blood is collected into a syringe or drawn directly into a special tube. Your child's blood is then sent to the laboratory to be tested.

Glucose Tolerance Testing is performed in the Dodson Outpatient Lab but requires an appointment. Testing is performed Monday – Friday at 7:00 am. To make an appointment, please call 682-885-1095 Monday – Friday during our regular business hours of 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Important things to know when coming for a glucose tolerance test:

• You must have an appointment.
• The patient should not eat or drink anything other than water after 10pm.
• Drinking water is beneficial because hydration helps with the blood draws.
• You should arrive 15 minutes early to be registered.
• You will need one parent's photo ID and your insurance card.
• The procedure can take anywhere from 2 – 4 hours depending on the doctor's orders.
• If you are late to your appointment you may have to wait an extended period of time or be asked to reschedule.

Sweat Chloride Testing can be performed in the Dodson Outpatient Lab and requires an appointment. Testing can be scheduled for Monday – Friday at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm. To make an appointment, please call 682-885-1095 Monday – Friday during our regular business hours of 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Sweat Chloride testing has been used for diagnosing Cystic Fibrosis (CF) for more than 50 years and remains the gold standard. For more information, please request an information sheet from our staff or talk to your physician.

Important things to know before coming for a Sweat Chloride Test:

• You must have an appointment.
• Patient should drink a lot of fluids for at least 8 hours before the procedure and eat regular meals.
• Do not use any creams or lotions on the skin for at least 24 hours before the procedure.
• If the patient is sick with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, it is better to reschedule the testing.
• The patient should take their medication as usual.
• You should arrive 15 minutes early to be registered.
• You will need one parent's photo ID and your insurance card.
• The procedure will take approximately 60-90 minutes.
• If you are late to your appointment you may have to wait an extended period of time or be asked to reschedule.

You may drop off urine and stool specimens you collect at home. Make sure your specimens are labeled with Patient Name, Date of Birth, Date of Collection, Time of Collection and Name of Person who collected specimen. Specimens can be dropped off from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Dodson Outpatient Laboratory. If you need to drop off specimens at any other time, you will need to go to the Cook Children's Emergency Department. Someone from that area will call the lab to come down to check your specimen(s) and ensure all requirements are met for collection, storage, transportation and labeling. You will need to bring your order for testing with you. If you have a Quest or LabCorp order, you can also drop your specimen off at any of their locations near you.

Find a drop off location near you:

• Cook Children's
• Quest Diagnostics
• Lab Corp