Lab Test Instructions

GENETIC TESTING

Genetic Testing requires all doctor forms to be faxed to MLW at 519-258-9505. MLW will contact you and follow up with an appointment date.

HOME LAB SERVICE

MLW offers a home lab service to patients and their families at a nominal fee. To ensure that patients who truly need this service have access to it, MLW must first receive a request for service from a healthcare provider. Physicians and patients may book online or call our Home Lab Services at 519-258-1991 ext 259.

FERTILITY TESTING (Semen Analysis)

Fertility specimens are time sensitive and can only be dropped off at scheduled times at our main SCC at 1428 Ouellette. MLW will be not be able to accept the specimen if it arrives at the SCC during unscheduled hours. To avoid having to repeat the test call our Client Services Department – Appointment Booking Line at 519-258-1991 ext 0 to confirm when the specimen can be accepted.

LACTOSE TOLERANCE TESTING

Patients must fast for a minimum 8 hours prior to testing and must remain at MLW for 2 hours to complete the test. To schedule an appointment patients can call 519-258-1991 ext 0.

Accurate Heart Health Monitoring

An Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) is a simple, non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It helps diagnose various heart conditions and monitors heart health. At Medical Labs of Windsor, our experienced lab assistants ensure a comfortable and efficient testing process.

This test requires an appointment.
Please call 519-258-1991 ext 0 to schedule your appointment.

What to Expect During Your EKG/ECG Test:
Our lab assistants will guide you through the process to ensure accurate results and your comfort throughout the procedure.

Here’s what to expect:

PREPARATION:

• Remove Clothing: You will be asked to remove all clothing from the waist up to allow for proper sensor placement. Women should remove pantyhose to allow placement of sensors on the lower legs. Your lower legs below the knees should be bare, but you may keep your shoes on.
• Positioning: You will lay flat on your back on the ECG bed. A drape sheet will be provided for you to cover yourself. Relax and make yourself comfortable.

SENSOR PLACEMENT:

• Cleaning: Alcohol will be rubbed on small areas of your upper arms, lower legs, and chest (around the heart area) to clean the skin for sensor placement.
• Applying Sensors: Six skin sensors will be placed on your chest, and one on each limb. The lab assistant will feel for rib spaces to ensure accurate placement. Some placements may require lifting the breast, which is done using the back of the hand.
• Connecting Cables: Once the skin sensors are placed, cables will be attached to each sensor. The lab assistant will then cover your chest to preserve your modesty.

TAKING THE READING:

• Remain Still: You will be asked to lie still while the reading is being taken. This will take approximately 10 seconds.

After the test, the sensors and cables will be removed, and you can dress and resume your normal activities. The results will be reviewed by your doctor to provide insights into your heart health.

DOWNTOWN WINDSOR: Main Location
1428 Ouellette Ave., Windsor, ON

Available Tuesday – Friday: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm 

TECUMSEH MEDICAL CENTRE (TMC):
13278 Tecumseh Road East, Tecumseh, Ontario

Available Wednesday – Friday: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm 

What does this mean?  

Some test values change following the digestion of food. Fasting is defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period.

How do I know if I must fast before my blood work?      

• Fasting may be required prior to your blood test. Your clinician will determine and inform you if fasting is required and will let you know.
• Patient, who have a lipid profile, or any cholesterol testing on their requisition no longer have to do a mandatory fast.

Fasting Instructions – If you are asked to fast for your test:

Fast = Do not eat or drink anything (except water)

• Fast a minimum of 8 hours prior to a fasting glucose or GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) before you go to the laboratory to have your blood taken
• Fast for 12 hours prior to a lipid assessment test before you go the laboratory to have your blood taken
• You are allowed to drink only water.
• Do not drink any juice, tea or coffee.
• Do not smoke, chew gum, or exercise. These activities may stimulate the digestive system and  alter test results.
• After the specimen is collected, you may resume your normal diet.

What time should I fast?     

Most people find it convenient to stop eating and drinking after 8:00 PM and to arrive at the laboratory early the next morning. Appointments can be made.

Should I continue to take my medications?       

Yes, unless your doctor tells you not to.

Comprehensive Diabetes Screening: 
The Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) is a critical tool in diagnosing diabetes and assessing how your body processes glucose. At Medical Labs of Windsor, we ensure a smooth and safe testing process, providing accurate results to help manage your health.

What to Expect During Your Glucose Tolerance Test
Our lab assistants will guide you through the test, ensuring your comfort and safety. Here’s what to expect:

GLUCOSE DRINK ADMINISTRATION:

• Receiving the Drink: You will be given the required amount of the glucose drink according to the test requested.
• Instructions for Intake: You will need to drink the dose within 5 minutes. The time you finish the drink will be recorded on the test requisition form.

TEST TIMING:

• Start of Timing: The timing of the test begins when you finish the glucose drink.

BLOOD SPECIMEN COLLECTION:

• Scheduled Draws: Blood specimens will be collected at intervals depending on the test requested. These intervals may include fasting, 1 hour, 2 hour, and 3 hour draws.

Early morning urine specimens are preferred; although urine collected at other times of the day are acceptable. A “mid – stream clean catch” urine sample is necessary for a culture so that any bacteria present around the urethra and on the hands do not contaminate the specimen.

Use an empty sterile container for collection supplied by the lab or your doctor’s office.

• • Label the container with:
    • your full name
    • date of birth or health card number
    • date and time you collected the specimen

How to collect a Mid-Stream Urine Sample

1. 1. If you have a requisition, write the date and time of collection on the requisition.
   2. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
   3. Remove the container cap and set it aside (lid upside down). Do not touch inner surfaces of container.
   4. Wash your urogenital area (“lower parts”) with the towelette provided. Women – wipe from front to back between the folds of skin. Men – retract the foreskin (if uncircumcised), and clean the glans (head of the penis).
   5. The intent is to collect a sample midway through the urination process (hence the name “mid-stream” urine).
   6. Pass a small amount of urine into the toilet, (women – hold skin folds apart). This initial stream of urine may be contaminated with skin and urethral bacteria.
   7. Then midway through urination, urinate into the container. The container should only be 1/2 to 2/3 full.
   8. Replace the cap and tighten firmly.
   9. Remember to wash your hands well after collecting the specimen.
   10. Keep the urine sample refrigerated and submit to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Download Patient Information Pamphlet

A collection of all urine voided over a 24-hour period of time. Obtain a collection container from your doctor or the laboratory and follow the directions you are given for collecting your samples. To preserve the substance to be tested, the container may need to be refrigerated during the entire collection process.

• After getting up in the morning, empty your bladder and discard that urine. Immediately record the date and time on the label on the container.
• From this time onward for the next 24 hours collect all urine voided and save in the container provided. Collect urine in another container and pour it into the bottle you were given. When 24 hours are over, empty your bladder and ADD this urine to the container. Please note the time.
• Ensure you bring the sample to the lab on the same day; otherwise, you may need to recollect the sample again. If you miss collecting one or more voids, consult your doctor or the laboratory for further instructions.
• The specimen should be refrigerated during collection and until it is brought to the laboratory.

First morning specimen preferred, although urine collected at other times of the day is acceptable. Keep refrigerated until transported to laboratory

Follow Specimen Collection Instructions for midstream urine. Refrigerate at 2-8°C IMMEDIATELY and submit to the laboratory WITHIN 24 hours of collection.

Obtain a Cary Blair container (white lid with pink liquid)

1. Empty the bladder.
2. Wash and dry your hands.
3. Lift the toilet seat. Place sheets of plastic wrap (e.g. Saran wrap®) over the toilet bowl, leaving a small dip in the center. Place the toilet seat down.
4. OR have a clean sterile empty plastic container to collect the stool sample.
5. Pass the stool onto the plastic wrap or into the container. Do not let urine or water mix with the stool specimen.
6. Open the container and transfer small portions of the stool into the container. Try to choose areas that contain blood and or mucus.
7. Do not over fill the container. Add stool to the fill line. Replace the lid and firmly tighten.
8. Mix container well.
9. Refrigerate the specimen until you take it to the laboratory. All samples should be delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours. Please be sure to indicate the date and time of collection on the requisition and on the specimen container.

Obtain a container with SAF fixative (yellow lid with clear liquid)

1. Empty the bladder.
2. Wash and dry your hands.
3. Lift the toilet seat. Place sheets of plastic wrap (e.g. Saran wrap®) over the toilet bowl, leaving a small dip in the center. Place the toilet seat down.
4. OR have a clean sterile empty plastic container to collect the stool sample.
5. Pass the stool onto the plastic wrap or into the container. Do not let urine or water mix with the stool specimen.
6. Open the container and transfer small portions of the stool into the container. Try to choose areas that contain blood and or mucus.
7. Do not over fill the container. Add stool to the fill line. Replace the lid and firmly tighten.
8. Mix container well.
9. All samples should be delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours. Until sample can be brought to the lab store at room temperature. Please be sure to indicate the date and time of collection on the requisition and on the specimen container.

Obtain an empty sterile container and a wooden applicator stick.

1. Empty the bladder.
2. Wash and dry your hands.
3. Lift the toilet seat. Place sheets of plastic wrap (e.g. Saran wrap®) over the toilet bowl, leaving a small dip in the center. Place the toilet seat down.
   OR have a clean sterile empty plastic container to collect the stool sample.
4. Pass the stool onto the plastic wrap or into the container. Do not let urine or water mix with the stool specimen.
5. Collect about 2-3 teaspoonful of stool in the empty container. Place container in a sealed plastic bag.
6. Wash and dry hands completely.
7. Refrigerate the specimen until you take it to the laboratory. All samples should be delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours. Please be sure to indicate the date and time of collection on the requisition and on the specimen container.
8. REMEMBER A LEAKING CONTAINER IS INFECTIOUS AND IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Please Note:

• Hard “golf ball” size specimens will not be accepted.
• If duplicate samples are requested by the doctor, they must be collected at least one day apart (18-24hrs) and each sample must be brought to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Your physician has ordered a test for pinworm that requires you to collect the specimen at home.

Obtain a container that has a sticky paddle attached to the lid. Do not touch this area with your hands.

1. The specimen must be taken first thing in the morning prior to bathing or using the toilet.
2. The area cannot be washed or wiped before collecting the specimen.
3. Holding the paddle by the bare rounded end, press the sticky surface of the square end firmly against the skin around and across the anal opening. DO NOT insert the paddle into the rectum.
4. Carefully return the paddle to the container. Tighten lid.
5. Print your name, date and time of collection clearly on the label.
6. Store container at room temperature and bring to laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
7. Samples cannot be accepted on weekends.

1. The sputum specimen obtained should be the result of a deep cough and be of a thick nature, not saliva. Collection of an early morning specimen before breakfast facilitates obtaining such sputum since the patient pools respiratory secretions overnight. Make sure the specimen is expirated from the lungs and not just the throat.
2. The patient should cough directly into the sterile collection container provided.
3. It is important to transport the sputum to the laboratory within two hours of being obtained or, if delayed, to refrigerate the specimen.
4. The specimen must be received in the laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Please note patient’s full name along with the date and time of collection on the container.

1. Sputum is collected in screw-capped bottles.
2. The best time for collection of sputum is early in the morning just after waking. Forceful, vigorous coughing at this time is often very productive.
3. It is important that the patient rid his/her mouth of saliva and other material by spitting or rinsing the mouth with water before attempting to bring up any sputum.
4. For those who experience difficulty, sputum coughed up at any time of day may be used.
5. An adequate cytological examination has consisted of a series of three to five consecutive early morning sputum specimens.
6. To prevent degeneration of cells, the specimen should be delivered to the lab immediately after being obtained. If this is not possible, the specimen should be refrigerated until the time of delivery.
7. Sputum has to be differentiated from saliva which has no diagnostic value and contains only squamous cells of the buccal origin. A good sputum specimen is characterized by the presence of numerous alveolar macrophages.
8. Saliva is thin and watery and contains poorly squamous cells and no pulmonary macrophages.
9. Sputum is thick, viscous and mucoid and 5 to 10 cc is an adequate volume for processing.