Blood Draw FAQ

Questions You May Have About Getting Your Blood Drawn

Q: I do not like getting my blood drawn. Will this hurt?

A: You are not alone - many of our patients are anxious when getting their blood drawn. Our phlebotomists are trained to make your experience comfortable and quick and to help ease your concerns.

Q: What should I expect during a blood draw?

When you come into the private blood drawing station you will be asked to remove your coat, roll-up your sleeve and take a seat in the drawing chair. You can choose which arm you prefer to receive the blood draw from.

The phlebotomist will wrap an elastic band (tourniquet) around your arm to help find a vein. The band may be a little tight on your arm. Once the vein is found, the phlebotomist will sterilize the area where the needle will be inserted. It may feel cold.

The needle will be inserted into your arm and a certain amount of blood will be drawn for the tests you are having. Some people say they feel a pinch when the needle goes in and when it is removed; others say they do not feel the needle.

The draw site will then be covered with a bandage or gauze and Coban (a non-latex adhesive wrap) upon completion.

Q: I have a child that needs blood drawn, what can I expect?

A: Children may remain calm or cry during the blood collection. For children and other patients with high anxiety related to the visit, we are the only facility in the state to offer unique, one of a kind “Ow to Wow” rooms on each campus. These special rooms have been proven to help reduce fear and pain associated with the collection.

For more info on what you, as a parent, can expect and do to help with the experience, read “Surviving Blood Draws with Your Kids”.

Q: Where do I go to get my blood drawn and what are the hours?

Locations

We offer walk in service; however, wait times may be longer for those without an appointment.

• Bryan East Campus
  By appointment or walk in, 24/7
  Access the Bryan East Campus lab through the Bryan Medical Plaza entrance, 1500 S. 48th St.
  Check in with admissions upon arrival
• Bryan Pine Lake Campus - Most Cost Effective Location
  Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  Two options at this location:
  • Provider-ordered tests
    • By appointment or walk in
    • Check in at registration upon arrival
  • On-demand testing
    • No doctor order or appointment needed
    • Choose from more than 60 lab tests and purchase online in advance
    • Health profiles and individual tests available
    • CLOSED on these holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4
    • Access the Bryan Pine Lake Lab through the main Pine Lake Campus entrance on the southeast side of the building
    • Check in with the lab upon arrival
• Bryan West Campus
  By appointment or walk in, 24/7
  Access the Bryan West Campus lab through the Bryan Medical Center main entrance, 2221 S. 17th St.
  Check in with admissions upon arrival
• Crete Area Medical Center
  Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon
  Use the main entrance for Crete Area Medical Center lab services, 2910 Betten Dr.
• Merrick Medical Center
  Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m., walk-ins welcome
  Enter through the main entrance, 2802 28th St.

Call to Make an Appointment

Bryan Medical Center, call 402-481-5121.
Crete Area Medical Center, call 402-826-7980.
Merrick Medical Center, call 308-946-2607.

Q: Why has my doctor ordered this test?

A: Doctors order laboratory tests for a variety of reasons. Therefore, our laboratory or phlebotomy team will refer you to your doctor for questions related to the tests that he/she has ordered.

Find out more about laboratory tests:

Helpful Links:

College of American Pathologists provides health and wellness resources for the public.

Lab Tests Online explains lab tests and is a public resource on clinical lab testing from laboratory professionals.

Medline Plus is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health that talks about laboratory tests and how to understand them.

Q: Where does my blood go once it is drawn?

A: Your blood will be analyzed in the laboratory at Bryan Medical Center on either Bryan East Campus or Bryan West Campus, Crete Area Medical Center, Merrick Medical Center or will be sent to one of our reference laboratories.

Q: Why are you drawing so many tubes of blood?

A: More than one test may have been ordered by the doctor. Different types of tubes are required for different tests.

Q: How do I find out about my test results?

A: Your results will be posted to your Bryan Health MyChart patient portal upon completion. Your doctor will receive the results of your blood tests as well and you can contact them for your results as well.

Bryan Health MyChart

Q: How long will it take for my doctor to receive my blood test results?

A: Ninety percent of our lab test results are back within 24-48 hours.

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my lab visit?

A: We encourage you to contact the laboratory with your questions.

Bryan Medical Center, call 402-481-5121.
Crete Area Medical Center, call 402-826-7980.
Merrick Medical Center, call 308-946-2607.