The ONLY reason I continue to go here is the ease of access - I work downtown and have regular blood test requirements (INR). It opens early, and as a result I never have to make an appointment and still don't miss work. That's the positive side of this lab. Now for the negative.
For the past year my INR standing order has been a nightmare. It began with an error that wasn't the lab's fault, but they should have recognized it. Since then it has spiraled out control and they have been absolutely useless in the resolution. My family doctor decided she wanted to get a copy of my INR results as an FYI - results that were ordered by and go to my specialist. She sent me to the lab with a second standing order for the INR, and told me to tell them to copy her on my INR when they sent it to my specialist using the info on the duplicate standing order she gave me.
Confused? I was too, but I figured the lab would understand when I explained it. I was wrong. Apparently you can't have two standing orders in the system. And you can't "copy" a second doctor with the results. Makes sense...so why didn't they just say no? And when the error was discovered, why did they refuse to remove the duplicate INR?
Since then, I've been told something different almost every time I go to the lab (once or twice a month!) - we don't do standing orders any more, we still do standing orders who told you that?, you now have to bring in a photocopy of your original standing order every time you come in, you never have to bring a photocopy who told you that?, we can't take the second order out of the system, don't worry I've fixed everything this won't happen again (heard this one many times), and so on.
Why is this a problem? Because they continually send my results to the wrong doctor and a result I don't get the necessary dosage information I need! My INR results vary quite a lot, and I've had to receive emergency treatment based on those results a few times. So it's vital that I get the results along with treatment path forward from my specialist.
But this last trip to the lab was the final straw for me. I had a regular order for some standard blood tests, and asked for my INR to be taken at the same time. I gave the lab personnel both order sheets, explaining that one was for my family doctor and the other was a photocopy of my INR standing order for my specialist. As usual, they pointed out that I have two standing orders in the system for that INR. REALLY? I DIDN'T KNOW THAT! Sarcastically. So I explained the situation for the umpteenth time, and after waiting for 15 minutes while she talked to her supervisor, I was assured that it had been straightened out and wouldn't be an issue the next time I came in. I don't believe her - that's what they said last time, after all. But it gets worse. Because I just got off the phone with my doctor. Apparently they not only didn't send the results of my standing order to my specialist, but they told my family doctor that I REFUSED the test!
I truly do NOT understand why this is such a problem. If they can't remove the duplicate order from the system, then why can't they at least send it to the right doctor when I tell them which standing order I'm there to get?
I don't have a car, and live no where near any labs that are easily accessible by transit. I really have no choice but to continue going to this lab. Thankfully, I'm moving in a couple of weeks and you can bet that I'll be finding a new lab to take my blood to. read more