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Lab Services
Lab tests can help you and your doctor gain a better understanding of your health and make more informed choices. Depend on the expert laboratory professionals at Essentia Health for high-quality laboratory services and prompt, accurate results.
Why Do I Need a Lab Test?
Your doctor may recommend a lab test to check your overall health or help diagnose a medical condition. Count on Essentia for comprehensive lab services standardized to ensure quality and overseen by experienced pathologists.
Lab Services We Offer
Take advantage of lab services such as:
- Body fluid testing, including blood tests and urinalysis
- Testing of cells and tissues taken during a smear test, biopsy, or surgery
- Genetic testing
- Microbiology tests, which look for the presence of bacteria, viruses, and other causes of disease in your body
Trust your lab service needs to specialists who perform more than five million lab tests for hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and research centers annually.
How to Prepare for Lab Work
The way you prepare for a lab test depends on the type of test. Talk to your care team about how you should get ready for your specific test and follow their instructions. Tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you take.
Your Test Results
You’ll appreciate Essentia’s coordinated, efficient approach to your care. Your test results will be shared with your primary care doctor, specialists and other members of your care team so that everyone is on the same page.
For most tests performed in our laboratories, results will be available within 24-48 hours after your specimen is received. Microbiology, pathology and specimens sent to an outside lab for testing may take up to a week. Your doctor will give you your test results and, if needed, talk to you about treatment options or refer you to a specialist.
Patients who have MyChart will also be able to access test results via the MyChart portal.
Accredited Laboratories
Trust that our laboratory professionals will process your test sample in a timely and cost-effective manner using established methods and advanced technology. Most Essentia labs are accredited by The Joint Commission. Many also are certified or accredited by the:
- American Association of Blood Banks
- Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment
- College of American Pathologists
- Commission of Office Laboratory Accreditation
- Department of Health for Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin
- Food and Drug Administration
To see the accreditation each lab has by location, view our Essentia awards and recognition list.