Covid-19

Blood and Other Specimen Collection

For the information pertaining to fasting requirements and other preparation, please refer to Patient Preparation Instructions and Test Requirement Manual, or call our Client Services Department at: (416) 449-2166 and press 1 .

Book an Appointment Find a location
Blood test

ECG/Holter Monitor

The ECG is widely used in patients with suspected or known heart disease. It can be used to measure any damage to the heart, how fast your heart is beating and whether it is beating normally and effects of drugs or devices used to control the heart (such as a pacemaker).

  • Avoid exercising and/or drinking cold water immediately before an ECG as it may cause false results.

The Holter Monitor (also known as ambulatory electrocardiography device) is a device worn at home and at work which is used for continuous monitoring of heart rate and rhythm for 24, 48, or 72 hours. The Holter Monitor test allows your daily heart rhythm to be analyzed. A diary of routines is also kept to correlate activity to heart rhythm and rate and is widely used in patients with suspected or known heart disease. The extended recording period is used to identify occasional rhythm disturbances that would be difficult to identify in a shorter period of time as they come and go at various times throughout the day or night. The digital Holter is often used to find correlation between any abnormal rhythm and the patient’s symptoms, such as dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath or chest pain.

  • There is no special preparation for the test. Make sure you shower or bathe before the electrodes are applied to your chest, since you won’t be able to do these activities while the test is in progress.
  • Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any adhesives.
  • Please wear loose-fitting clothes. Buttons down the front of a shirt or blouse is preferable. This makes it convenient to apply the ECG electrodes, and also comfortably carry the monitor in a relatively discreet manner. No synthetic materials should be worn.
  • Some patients may be asked to have their chest shaved so the electrodes can stick.
Book an Appointment Find a location

Diagnostic Imaging Tests

Abdominal Ultrasound

  • AM exam: Avoid fatty dinner. Nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before (8 hours fasting). Small quantities of clear fluids are permitted. Any medication should be taken as required.
  • PM exam: For breakfast you may drink, black tea or coffee (NO MILK OR SUGAR) up to 9 am. Fasting the rest of the day.

Pelvic or Obstetrical Ultrasound

  • Finish drinking 4 cups or 1 L (2bottles) of water one hour prior to the exam. DO NOT EMPTY BLADDER.

    Note:     If you are booking a “transvaginal” examination, please let us know when booking appointment.

Abdominal & Pelvic Combined/ Urinary Tract Ultrasound

  • Avoid fatty dinner. Nothing to eat for 8 hours before the exam. Small quantities of clear fluid are permitted.
  • Finish drinking 4 cups or 1 L (2bottles) of water one hour prior to the exam. DO NOT EMPTY BLADDER.

Ultrasound of Scrotum, Thyroid, Breast & Musculoskeletal

  • No special preparation.

Bone Mineral Density

  • Calcium, Vitamin D and Multi Vitamins must be stopped 48 hours prior to appointment. No Barium or IV Contrast studies with in 10 days.

Breast Ultrasound

  • No special preparation.
Don Mills Location (416) 510-9977 Lawrence Location (416) 321-2670

Questions and Answers

What should I do with the specimens that I have been asked to collect at home?

You may be provided with containers for collection of certain specimens at home (e.g. urine or stool). Please follow the complete instructions available on Patient Specimen Collection Instructions, and label the specimen containers with your first and last name, health card number and date and time of collection. When you deliver the specimens to our Patient Service Centre, please wait for our lab staff to verify all required information on the specimens and laboratory requisition to ensure that the sample is properly identified before you leave.

Who pays for my tests?

In Ontario, the majority of routine laboratory tests ordered by your doctor are covered under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). However, there are certain tests that are not insured through OHIP and such tests must be paid for by the patient.

How long will the specimen collection process take?

We recognize that your time is valuable, so we try to keep wait times as short as possible. Early mornings are usually high volume times so your wait time may be a little longer. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as our dedicated staff devotes their full attention to each and every patient. An average visit takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes. Some tests (e.g. oral glucose tolerance test) require that you remain in the Patient Service centre for a longer period to complete blood draws at specific timed intervals.

How do I find the nearest Patient Service Centre?

To locate Alpha’s Patient Service Centres click on Patient Service Centre Locator for a complete listing, including addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, Google map and directions.

Please note that days and hours of operation vary by location.

If I am anxious about having my blood taken should I advise you?

If you experience anxiety when having their blood drawn, please do let us in know in advance. Our skilled and experienced staff will do their best to help you to remain as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

How long will it take for my doctor to receive my test results?

How soon your doctor receives your test results depends on the type of tests requested. Routine tests are reported to the referring doctor within 24-48 hours, while certain more specialized tests and bacterial cultures require a much longer processing time. Abnormal or clinically significant results are communicated to your doctor as soon as possible. Please call your doctor’s office to confirm the availability of your test results prior to booking your next appointment.

Do I need to make an appointment for my laboratory tests?

Most tests do not require an appointment for a blood collection, urine sample collection or Electrocardiogram (ECG).

Tests that do require an appointment include:

  • Holter Monitoring
  • Lactose Tolerance tests
  • Xylose Tolerance tests

If your doctor has ordered the above tests, please use the Patient Service Centre Locator to select the Patient Service Centre that is most convenient for you and phone the location to schedule an appointment.

Why do I need to fast before my test?

Food is broken down into simpler forms (glucose) by the digestive tract and is released into the bloodstream, which then circulates and helps provide energy to the body cells. Therefore, the amount of glucose present in the blood sample after having a large meal will be higher than any other time of the day. Likewise, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels measured before a meal are lower than the reading taken after a meal. In brief, consuming food before blood collection gives inaccurate results, because the test outcomes are influenced by the type of food and the size of the serving.

What do I need to bring with me when I go to the Patient Service Centre for my test?

You will need to bring a completed laboratory test requisition which has been signed by your doctor, and your health insurance card. If you were asked by your doctor to collect any specimen(s) at home, then also bring those with you at the time of your visit.

How do I fast?

Prior to your test, you must not have anything to eat, drink or chew, for a minimum of 12 hours prior to the blood collection. This includes coffee, juice, tea, alcohol, chewing gum, candy or lozenge. You may drink water as usual. Note that there must be absolutely no additives to the water. Please check with your doctor about any medications that you are taking, and do not discontinue your medications unless authorized to do so by your doctor.

What do I need to bring with me when I go to the Patient Service Centre for my test?

You will need to bring a completed laboratory test requisition which has been signed by your doctor, and your health insurance card. If you were asked by your doctor to collect any specimen(s) at home, then also bring those with you at the time of your visit.

Do I need to fast before my test?

Although not all blood tests call for fasting prior to blood collection, there are certain types of tests for which fasting is necessary to ensure results are clinically relevant. Types of blood tests that do require fasting include: glucose test, glucose tolerance test (GTT), Lactose and Xylose tolerance tests, cholesterol test, HDL/LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides , Lipoprotein phenotyping and homocysteine.

For further information pertaining to fasting requirements and other preparation, please refer to Patient Preparation Instructions and Test Requirement Manual, or call our Client Services Department at: (416) 449-2166 and press 1 .