| What does the term BMP mean and how is it used?
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BMP or basic metabolic profile came into use when Medicare authorized a number of approved laboratory test panels. This test profile includes glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, & CO2. The test is helpful in evaluating patients for diabetes, kidney disease, and acid-base and electrolyte balance. It is often done as part of an admission profile to provide a baseline and is useful as a follow up test to the treatment of these conditions.
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| What does INR stand for and what does it mean?
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INR stands for international normalized ratio. It is a calculation we report when performing the Prothrombin Time (PT) test for patients who are on Warfarin (coumadin) therapy. Our laboratory carefully calculates this number using information supplied by the reagent manufacturer. Calculating INR allows a standardized reporting mechanism for PT results instead of reporting results only in seconds. Your physician should establish the appropriate INR for your specific condition while receiving coumadin.
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| What are the advantages of using a local lab?
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There are many. Your laboratory information is available to your physician if you are admitted to BCHS and RML has provided the lab service. This becomes part of the BCHS electronic medical record and is available to your physician and any consultants who have a need to know. Previous laboratory outpatient information may prevent needless duplication of tests already on record. Using a local lab also keeps jobs in our community.
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| Television advertisements from drug companies that market cholesterol lowering medications mention simple blood tests may need to be done to check liver function. What types of tests need to be done?
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Some of the lipid or cholesterol lowering medications may have side effects for some patients that affect the liver. Two tests that can be done are AST & ALT. The advertisements refer to these tests as being simple because they only require a blood sample to be submitted to a laboratory for testing. Laboratories have sophisticated analyzers & staff to provide reliable and accurate results. The important point is to discuss your concerns with your physician and follow his advice.
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| My son and daughter are interested in science. I have a limited budget and want to send them to college. What do you suggest?
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We have the answers right here in Battle Creek. The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program at K.C.C. is nationally recognized and graduates top performing MLTs. RML has provided internships since the program started over 30 years ago. We support the educational activities of our employees who work as phlebotomists, lab assistants and technicians. They earn while they learn. We also hire many of the two year K.C.C. graduates. Graduates can complete a B.S. degree at Miller College. Both are in Battle Creek and affordable.
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| My husband complained of chest pains so we went to the Emergency Department. The doctor did an E.K.G. on admission, and blood tests every six hours. How are these blood tests used?
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Patients suspected of having a myocardial infarction (M.I.) or heart attack are tested to see if cardiac markers increase above a certain level. Typically, patients who suffer an M.I. will show an increase in plasma of a marker called Troponin I. Abnormal levels occur as early as six hours post infarct and can remain elevated for up to six days. Cardiac markers assist the physician in diagnostic and treatment decisions.
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| Is it safe to receive a blood transfusion from a directed donor such as a friend or relative?
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Although this is a noble gesture and certainly generous, directed donors may be problematic and not advisable. First, the donor is not really considered to be a volunteer. There may be reasons to be less than honest in disclosing donor history. Second, the donor may not be the correct blood type. Third, a relative may be unsuitable because of a condition that could cause graft versus host disease, a condition that is almost certainly fatal. The safest current practice is to use volunteer blood and encourage your friends or relatives to voluntarily donate for the general use of all patients.
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| I received a letter from my insurance company that indicates I need to use a specific national laboratory for my lab tests. Is that true and can I use RML?
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Welcome to the confusing and challenging world of insurance coverage and billing. Although each situation is different, we are often able to participate with your insurance in some form. We have agreements with many third party payers and generally your coverage will be very similar if not the same. Using a local lab offers the advantages of convenience and available follow up testing. Please call our billing department (969-6161 and press 4) for information on specific insurance participation.
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| I received a bill for pathology services when I had surgery. Why did this happen and isn?t it covered as part of the surgery?
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Although each case is unique, you probably had tissue removed by the surgeon and it was sent to the laboratory for examination. The tissue is processed so that a pathologist can review microscopic stained sections to determine if any abnormalities are present. Specialists, such as pathologists, who provide consultative services to other physicians are required to bill separately for services provided to patients as part of an inpatient admission. |
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| I hear the term CBC or Complete Blood Count mentioned when I have been in the hospital and my doctor?s office. What does it mean?
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This term has come into common use over many years, and has been popularized by the instruments we use to analyze blood samples for red blood cell and white blood cell counts. It is inclusive of many parameters including platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red & white cell counts, and a number of calculated indices. It is a very useful test for evaluating anemia, leukemia, infection, and effects of medical treatment.
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| I have had negative Pap smear results and a negative HPV test. Should I stop my regular visits with my physician? |
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No. You are fortunate to have had regular examinations by a physician and it is equally fortunate to have negative screening tests for cervical cancer. Your physician may recommend lengthening the interval between Pap smears based on your test results, however, there are many reasons to continue to have regular examinations. The Pap smear is a very effective screening tool for cervical cancer. Your physician also will look for signs and symptoms of diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and a number of other significant health issues. Please continue your excellent healthy habits. |
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| I have been to your facility many times and I feel that your phlebotomists know me. Why do they ask me to state my name and birth date each time?
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We have over 400 patient visits per day at our patient service centers. It is great that you are familiar with our staff. We need to make certain we identify each patient the same way every time. We ask our staff to do it this way every time and not to vary. This is our most important task before collecting a specimen. It takes a little bit more time up front, but is well worth the extra effort.
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| I have been scheduled for surgery that may require a blood transfusion. How safe is the blood supply?
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This is an excellent question. The current incidence of acquiring a transmittable disease from a blood transfusion is extremely low. In the early 1980s, there were unfortunate instances where HIV virus was transmitted by blood collected from infected donors, and screening tests for HIV were not adequate. Nucleic acid testing of blood products for HIV and hepatitis C was instituted in 1999, and has virtually eliminated transmission of these viruses. You can be assured that blood products are adequately screened to provide a safe product.
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| I am scheduled for total joint replacement surgery and may need a blood transfusion. Should I donate my own blood (autologous donation)?
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Prior to very sensitive and specific nucleic acid tests for HIV and hepatitis C, this practice was encouraged to reduce the possibility of being infected by a transfusion. Now that the blood supply is adequately screened, donating your blood prior to surgery is generally not recommended. You may unnecessarily lower your hemoglobin level pre-operatively, which is counter-productive. Autologous donation wastes resources in addressing a problem which no longer exists. This is a question you should also discuss with your surgeon.
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| I am a male over 50 years old and have procrastinated getting a PSA test. I have told my wife I will wait until I have a problem. She doesn?t think this is wise. What do you think?
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You suffer from a condition that unfortunately afflicts many men, failure to listen to your wife. There are many preventive medicine tests and recommendations your physician will advise. Checking for prostate health by digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen test should be part of a regular yearly examination by your physician. Waiting until you have a problem is not wise. Listening to your wife is.
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| Do I have to have an appointment for blood work? |
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Generally the answer is no. We can collect most samples without an appointment. Some specialized tests may require a collection on a certain day of the week to allow proper specimen handling. Please refer to the test menu section for specific collection requirements.. |
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| Do I have to be fasting for my blood tests? |
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Results of some tests are more effectively evaluated on a specimen collected from a patient who is fasting. Fasting means nothing to eat or drink, with the exception of moderate amounts of water, for a period of between 8 to 12 hours. Tests for glucose, HDL, triglycerides,and panels of tests such as BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel), CMP (Coprehensive Metabolic Panel), or Lipid Panel that include these tests require a fasting specimen. Other common laboratory tests such as Prothrombin Time, CBC, Dilantin, PSA, etc. do not require a fasting specimen. Please consult the test menu for specific specimen requirements. |
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