Laboratory
About our labAt Skiff Medical Center Laboratory, our goal is to provide you, your physician and other health-care workers with diagnostic information that is accurate and delivered in a timely manner. We also provide test results for health screening and monitoring purposes.
Skiff Medical Center Laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), a premier laboratory accrediting organization, so you may rest assured we work hard to maintain our high standards. We employ both medical technologists (MT) and medical laboratory technicians (MLT). MTs usually have a bachelor's degree in medical technology or the life sciences that included three or four years of course work and one year of clinical experience. MLTs have an associate degree and have completed an accredited CLT/MLT program.
The lab handles inpatient and outpatient needs for patients of all ages. Tests performed on site include the areas of blood bank, chemistry, coagulation, hematology, microbiology, serology and urinalysis.
The laboratory department refers some testing to other trusted facilities:
- Collaborative Laboratory Services, LLC in Ottumwa, Iowa
- Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester, Minn.
- University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory in Iowa City, Iowa
Blood products for transfusions are obtained from the Blood Center of Iowa in Des Moines, Iowa.
You may donate your own blood (autologous donation) for a planned surgical procedure when a blood transfusion might be necessary. Ask your physician about this option.
Q. What do I need to do to have a test done?
A. All testing requires an order from a health-care professional. Doctors' orders may be phoned or faxed from the office or you may bring the order to the laboratory at the time of service. The laboratory welcomes orders from out-of-town physicians as well as local providers. Please stop at the business office before coming to the laboratory.
Q. What hours may I come for outpatient testing?
A. The lab is open for outpatients 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday.
Q. Do I need an appointment to have my blood drawn?
A. Most tests do not require an appointment. However, please call the lab at (641) 791-4320 to schedule glucose tolerance tests (for diabetes or hypoglycemia) and sweat chlorides. Some tests such as semen analysis and 24-hour urine collections require specific instructions. Call or stop in to the laboratory before collection.
Q. My test asks me to be fasting. What does this mean?
A. In most cases, fasting is not eating or drinking 12 hours prior to testing. For laboratory tests, you may have water. However, fasting can vary and if you have any questions, you should contact your physician`s office to verify what they would like you to do.
Q. How long will it take before my doctor has results?
A. The answer to this can vary a great deal depending on the nature of the testing, processing time, etc. All work will be forwarded to your doctor in a timely manner. Stat testing or critical work is prioritized and your physician will be contacted immediately when results are complete.
Q. Can I get a copy of my results?
A. If your doctor has provided the lab with an order to give results to you, then the laboratory staff may release results to you. If the doctor has not provided such an order, you may obtain a copy of your results by contacting the department of health information management.
Q. What do I need to do for paternity testing?
A. If paternity testing is needed, you must make arrangements with an outside company such as the one listed below. The Skiff Home Care/Public Health department will collect specimens after you have made arrangements with the company. The laboratory is not involved in the specimen collection. For further information, please contact Paternity Testing Corporation at (888) 837-8323 or visit them online at www.ptclabs.com.
Q. If it only takes a very small amount of blood for the test, why do you need to draw a whole tube? How much blood is in the tube?
A.The specimen is collected in a tube that is a standard size designed to fit into analyzers and be easily handled by the phlebotomist during the draw. The quantity of blood taken is somewhat more than needed to ensure there are sufficient amounts for any repeat testing needed to confirm a result and to prevent you from having to return for another draw. Blood tubes come in different sizes. Some hold as little as 2 ml (two-fifths of a teaspoon), some hold as much as 10 ml (two teaspoons). Most hold around 5 or 6 mls (one teaspoon = 5 ml). Capillary collection tubes, as used for babies, hold 0.25 ml to 1.0 ml.
Q. How much blood is in my body?
A. The average adult weighs about 154 pounds, which makes the total volume about 5 liters (5000 ml), or 5.3 quarts.
Q. Why do some people faint from having their blood drawn?
A. An involuntary reaction in the brain can cause the blood pressure to drop temporarily. Outpatients are more likely to faint than inpatients because they are usually sitting up during the procedure. If you tend to get lightheaded from blood testing or you are already feeling weak from fasting or illness, you should request to have your blood drawn while in a reclining position. This will help prevent or minimize fainting and avoid injury due to falling. Our staff will appreciate the communication.
Q. What if my question isn't listed above?
A. Please contact your physician for further instructions or call our laboratory at (641) 791-4320.
To find out more about the Blood Center of Iowa, including information about donating blood, visit www.bloodcenterofiowa.org
For general information about laboratory tests, click here.
Are you interested in a laboratory career? Information about laboratory careers is available here. You may also visit the following sites for lab-related college programs in Iowa.
Bachelor's Degree Medical Technologist Programs
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, Iowa
- Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa
- ASCP guidelines to becoming a MT
Associate Degree Medical Laboratory Technician Programs
- Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa
- Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, Iowa
- ASCP guidelines to becoming a MLT