I went here for a three-hour blood glucose challenge for possible gestational diabetes. This is not a test that I would describe as fun, although I know there's plenty worse out there. You fast overnight, then they draw your blood, have you drink 10 ounces of glucola (think nasty-strong sugar water with a soda-y flavor to try to make it palatable) and draw your blood three more times - once after each hour - to measure it.
The folks here made this as pleasant as it could be. The blood draws were quick, professional, and as close to painless as they can be. They gave advice on making the glucola as easy as possible to drink. They warned me in advance that I'd have to stay there the whole three hours and to bring things to do.
The waiting room has a television (which, sadly, they tend to turn on; I did my best to ignore it), a number of waiting-room chairs that are okay (not unusually uncomfortable, but not like lounging on my couch at home either), and magazines.
The check-in process was easy for me because someone was up front when I came in, but if they aren't you just sign in on the sheet and wait in the waiting room - they'll call you up to the window to check you in as soon as they can. I did see it confuse a couple people during the three hours I was there, though.
I didn't ask for much but they did let me know they could bring a heated blanket if I got cold (apparently the test renders some people shocky? fun!), ice chips if I got tired of my water (the only thing I could have until the last blood draw), etc., in addition to making sure I knew where the restroom was in case I needed it.
Lab work isn't something I'd call fun, and this particular test is definitely not on the "quick and easy" list, but they made it as simple and easy as it could be.
(And I got back good results and don't have GD, if anyone's curious.)
These folks are really good. And I hope I don't need to see them again, all the same. :) read more