Lab Services
Sound Family Medicine offers laboratory services at all of our locations, including our walk-in clinics.
Many tests are run at our onsite labs, resulting in quick turnaround times for test results. For tests that cannot be run onsite, we partner with an outside reference lab. For our established patients, we accept and process lab orders from other facilities, ensuring that the results are returned to the ordering provider. Please note that fees associated with our lab are separate from your office visit.
Tests done in house at Sound Family Medicine will be billed either to you or your insurance company. Tests sent out to third-party laboratories will be billed separately by them. For a list of common tests and screenings, please read below. Please note that drug abuse testing and urine toxicology collections are available at our 31st Ave clinic and 10th St clinic labs only.
Urine Testing/Urine Toxicology (UTox)
A drug abuse test looks for amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, MDMA, oxycodone, opiates and THC. A urine toxicology screen tests for all these substances as well as alcohol. We offer legal observed or non-observed chain of custody urine toxicology at our 31st Ave Lab.
This testing is used for DOT, FAA, USCGS, court systems, law enforcement, attorneys, schools, and employers. Results for a urine test normally take 2 to 3 business days for legal chain of custody and about 2 days for clinical drug tests.
Cholesterol Testing
Adults with normal cholesterol levels need to be screened every five years. For those with borderline or high cholesterol levels, or with other medical conditions including diabetes or atherosclerosis, your provider may recommend more frequent testing.
Diabetes Screening
Adults with high blood pressure should be screened for diabetes once a year. For your convenience, this can often be done at the time of a routine physical exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast for blood work?
Your provider and care team will provide instructions if fasting is required before a blood work. If you have been instructed to fast, drink nothing but water 10 to 12 hours prior to blood draw. You may take medication with water at this time.
This is still a case-by-case basis – please follow the instructions provided by your care team depending on the need for blood work testing.
When can I expect my lab results?
For most tests, you should expect results by letter, phone call or through an email directing you to log on to mySFM, within ten (10) days. If you do not get results in 10 days, please call our office at 253-848-5951. Exceptions to this timeframe include pathology (tissue biopsies) and PAP results, which may take up to 2-3 weeks for final results.
What can I expect results for testing or imaging referred out or coming from another facility?
X-ray, ultrasound, CT (computed tomography imaging) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) results are usually received at our office within five (5) working days after the test is performed. We will contact you by letter, phone call or mySFM with these results within ten (10) working days after the test is performed.
Results of testing performed at Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Department are usually received at our office within five (5) working days.
Out-of-town ER visits, hospital or outside lab results are less predictable in reaching our office. Please advise us if there are tests you want us to review with you so that we can request them prior to your visit.
Can I get my test results online?
We offer lab and test results via our secure patient portal. mySFM lets you access your lab test results online, generally faster and easier than by phone or mail. mySFM has a high level of security and privacy, above and beyond what ordinary e-mail offers, and is HIPAA-compliant.
For patients registered with mySFM, when lab test results, imaging tests, or other information is available, you will receive an email notifying you that you have a message from your provider at SFM. This message will contain a link to the secure mySFM site.
There you can log on using your user name and password, or if it is your first visit, you can register and select a username and password. Select “Messages” from the menu to view the message from your provider.
We will only send messages this way when we feel we can adequately explain the results and give appropriate advice online. If more detailed information needs to be conveyed we will call you to discuss the results.