They got the job done, but my experience was not very positive. I was treated coldly was refused a copy of my paperwork when I requested it. I will avoid DLS - especially this location - in the future.
I went to diagnostic laboratory services because this is where I was directed to go by my doctor. There are not a lot of major lab companies on the island, but honestly I will look for other options in the future if they are available. I went to a different location yesterday morning and there was - what was quoted to me - a three hour wait because they were also doing Covid testing. They suggested I go to another location, so I looked up this DLS location on my map and proceeded to go there.
I arrived about 35 minutes before this location opened and I sat outside waiting. I was not sure if there would be a line or not, but there was no one else there. They unlock the doors promptly at 8 AM and I entered without a welcome or eye contact from the staff behind the desk. Once she knowledged me, I still did not receive a smile or a greeting. I presented my photo ID and told her that I had bloodwork that had been sent to DLS from my doctor. She looked through a folder with files in it and told me she did not have anything waiting for me. It turned out that my paperwork was sent to the first location I had gone to, and apparently they do not share information for orders between labs. Not their fault, but very disappointed to find out they only use fax copies of lab requests.
She asked if I had my doctors phone number and I informed her that I would need to look it up, she seemed very annoyed. Ok, No problem. I did look it up and gave it to her, and then she told me she would call them, paused, then told me I should do it. I didn't have a problem taking care of it - I had expected to - but she was very short and impatient with me.
So, I stepped outside as not to be rude. I called my doctors office and was on hold for quite some time before finding out that they would need a little bit of time to get the new order sent over, no problem. I couldn't wait around so I decided to come back and get my blood work done the next day (today).
Today I came back in to DLS just after 9 AM and there was no wait. I was non-greeted by the same staff member behind the front desk, who I realized is not wearing a name tag that I could see, so I do not know what to call her.
Once again after waiting a moment and being acknowledged only by a stare, I handed over my ID and this time she was able to find my bloodwork request that was faxed in. Huzzah! She told me to go sit and wait in room one. She did not point or gesture or walk me over to room one and I have never been to this location before, so I just sort of had to figure it out myself. The room she was referring to was just around the corner from the desk - not very hard to figure out - but a bit of direction would've been nice.
After a short wait, she came in to draw my blood and - I must say - it was quick and painless. She is an excellent phlebotomist and found a my vain, no problem. She followed all of the safety protocols, double checking my full name and birthdate, also having me visually confirm my information on the tubes before stickering and placing them in the receptacle.
After my blood work was completed I asked if I could look at it. She seemed very confused and just stared at me... I asked again if I could double check the paperwork. She said that they weren't allowed to give me the paperwork or allow me to read it... And then asked if I could just have a copy of it so that I could review it. She asked, "oh, all of these pages?" And I said, "yes, I'd like a copy." And then told me they are not allowed to give me a copy of my own paperwork and told me I would need to contact my doctors office if I wanted a copy. But frankly, I wanted a copy of the orders that they had, and also to see what had been drawn, and will have it written down. As a patient, I know it is my right to be provided this information and she flat out refused.
As I said in the beginning of my review, I am aware that the patients on Oahu don't have a lot of choices when it comes to lab work. In the future, I will request to be sent somewhere else, but I may not have much choice. read more