Laboratory Services
Our Lab offers a wide range of medical and diagnostic services and provides our healthcare providers with quick results to properly diagnose and treat patients.
Meet your Lab TeamAbout our Lab
Watkins Health Services' onsite laboratory offers many services, including HIV and STI testing. The lab is located on the first floor of Watkins Health Center. No appointments are necessary.
The lab is accredited through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program, a federal quality assurance initiative. Our staff of highly skilled phlebotomists provides quality specimen collection and service. Their extensive experience ensures maximum patient comfort and experience.
Lab Orders from Outside Physicians
The WHS laboratory will process tests ordered by health providers from outside Watkins Health Services. The orders can be brought to the lab by the patient or the health provider can fax the order. Each order must be signed by the provider and include the diagnosis for test(s) ordered.
If you have orders from an outside health provider, you must be in the lab at least 30 minutes prior to closing time in order to process specimens for the evening courier pick-up. Otherwise, you may be asked to return the next business day.
Lab Results
Lab results are given to the ordering provider and placed in the student's medical record at WHS. In most instances, negative lab results are sent via secure messaging to the patient. Please make sure that your current email address is registered with Watkins Health Services. WHS calls all patients who have abnormal lab results when they arrive from the lab. Students may view their lab results in the patient portal.
Some lab results take several days for a result. Please be assured that every effort is made to contact you the same day your lab result information is received by WHS. The lab staff is not allowed to release the results directly to the patient verbally; however, printed results can be provided. If you have questions regarding your lab results, call our Nurse Helpline at 785-864-9583.
Costs for Lab Tests
There is a charge for laboratory tests, which varies per test. Check with your health insurance company to find out what your health insurance policy covers. Depending upon your policy, WHS may be able to bill your insurance company, or you may be able to receive reimbursement for some or all of these costs.
Lab Procedures FAQ
Yes. All we need is an order from your doctor including a diagnosis, tests wanted, your name, and the doctor's name, address, phone and fax, if applicable. You can bring the orders with you or your doctor can fax them to us at 785-812-0215.
Providers/doctors only order lab tests they need to make a diagnosis or other decisions about ongoing care to keep you healthy. You do have the right to refuse any test; however, as an informed patient, you need to realize that not having those test results may impact your provider's ability to take care of you.
Lab results are given to the ordering provider and placed in the student's medical record at WHS. In most instances, negative lab results are sent via secure messaging to the patient. Please make sure that your current email address is registered with Watkins Health Services. WHS calls all patients who have abnormal lab results when they arrive from the lab. Students may view their lab results in the patient portal. If you have questions regarding your lab results, call our Nurse Helpline at 785-864-9583.
Lab tests at Watkins are generally 20-40% less than the community price. Lab staff will be happy to tell you the cost of any particular test. Call 785-864-9544. (There are hundreds of tests, unfortunately too many to list here.) Most insurance policies cover lab tests to some degree. Watkins Business Office can submit your claim if you give them your insurance information.
Having blood drawn is a minimally invasive procedure taking less than a minute. Any pain experienced is brief and, for most people, slight. Our medical technologists have over 90 years (!) combined experience drawing blood and do their utmost to make it a good experience. We also have wonderful, cushy, loungers for you to relax in or a bed to make you comfortable.
The amount depends on the specific tests your provider orders. For most people, the amount varies between five and 20 milliliters -- or a few teaspoons to a few tablespoons. (FYI - the pint taken when you donate blood contains 450 milliliters. Thus, you can see that we are only taking a very small amount for these medical tests.)
Yes. Remember to keep up your fluid intake.
Only for certain tests. The most commonly ordered tests that require fasting are:
- lipid panels
- fasting blood sugar
- triglycerides
Fasting means nothing but water for ten to 12 hours. The lab will be happy to answer this question in regard to any particular test your provider has ordered.