Since larger needles hurt more, why don't you always use the smallest needle possible?
Small needles cause pressure changes in the collecting tubes and may cause hemolysis or damage to the red cells. This hemolysis can cause a specimen to be unacceptable or worse yet, when it is small enough to get by, will cause incorrect answers. So, the standard size needles became standard because they cause the least amount of trauma to the patient while giving the laboratory an acceptable specimen. There is no actual difference in the bore size of a butterfly versus a straight needle. Butterfly's are more convenient to use for small difficult veins.

Why does everyone keep asking for my date of birth?
Your birthday is only one of the ways we use identify you. We adhere to very strict patient identification standards to make sure that there are no mix-ups when it comes to your blood specimens.

How do I get the results of the tests my doctor ordered?
Some of your lab test results may be available before you leave the office. You can ask your nurse or physician for those results. For other test results, you may call the office several days after your blood is drawn to ask the nurse about your results. Do not call the laboratory for results because we are not allowed to give out this information .

Can I get a copy of my results?
You may ask the person drawing your blood for a copy of the results. If the test results will be available before you leave the clinic, you may have a copy of the result. For tests completed after you leave, you will need to sign an authorization form if you want them sent to you.

Another one of my doctors has ordered lab work in addition to what has been ordered at Newland Medical Associates. Can I get those done here also?
If you have a prescription from the other physician, we may be able to perform this testing. The prescription must have the physician's name, address, phone number and a medically appropriate diagnosis code. (However this can only be done when you are scheduled for blood work from one of our doctors that same day. In other words we can not draw blood for another doctor only.)

Why can't I just go to the lab to have a test done without seeing a doctor?
Each test requires a physician's order to assure appropriate tests are done under the appropriate circumstances. This helps to avoid wasteful testing and assures that there is a single physician ultimately responsible to follow-up on that test result.