Providing test results, about your health.

Glen Rose Medical Center (GRMC) Laboratory performs many diagnostic tests on clinical specimens to assist healthcare providers in diagnosing, preventing disease, and treating the patient.  We do this with the help of Medical Professionals in the form of Phlebotomists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, and Medical Laboratory Technicians.  We make every effort to provide a comfortable, friendly environment for our patients that allows them to feel at ease.  With a broad testing menu, state-of-the-art technology, and competent staff, we can provide quick turn-around times for each physician.  This allows physicians and other health care providers to do their job quickly and efficiently.

What is a Medical Laboratory Scientist? A 4-year, bachelor’s degree professional. What is a Medical Laboratory Technician? A 2-year, associate degree professional. Together they are healthcare professionals that play a vital role in modern medicine by providing reliable diagnostic information to facilitate evidence-based patient care decisions. They are highly educated in all aspects of laboratory medicine and have extensive training in laboratory science.  They are required to sit for a national certification board exam and maintain their certification by completing and submitting continuing education.  They are critical thinking puzzle-solvers, detail-oriented, and have excellent technical skills.  They are responsible for providing accurate information to physicians so that they may:

• • diagnose, monitor, and treat disease
  • monitor patient health
  • practice preventative medicine

It is estimated that 70% of all medical decisions made by physicians are based on this vital information provided by Medical Laboratory Scientists and Medical Laboratory Technicians.

What is a Phlebotomist?  Phlebotomists are extremely important individuals to the laboratory as they are the first step in the laboratory process.  It is up to them to acquire correctly identified, scientifically acceptable samples for the Laboratory Scientists and Technicians to perform testing effectively. Phlebotomists acquire training to learn how to draw blood quickly, efficiently, and safely, with little discomfort for the patient. Using venipuncture and other methods, they become very skilled on the job as they draw numerous samples every day.

GRMC Laboratory has teamed up with Labcorp to offer a wider testing menu and perform diagnostic tests which are not performed within GRMC’s laboratory.  If a provider orders a test not performed in-house, then the sample will be sent to Labcorp to fulfill the physician’s order. These samples are still drawn and processed by GRMC skilled staff, then a Labcorp courier comes and collects the samples for transport to Labcorp. All billing for these tests will still be performed through GRMC. *Note: GRMC Laboratory is not a designated Labcorp collection facility. All testing that can be performed by our trained staff will be analyzed within GRMC’s laboratory. Specimens are only sent to Labcorp when an ordered test is not part of GRMC’s laboratory testing menu.

We know that your time is important!  To begin with, we want to make certain that you get the best care available, and secondly, we strive to deliver this service in a timely manner so that you can get to the next item on your to-do list. Most of GRMC’s extensive testing menu will provide same day results to your provider, exceptions are Microbiology cultures which can take 2-3 days.  Tests that are not performed at GRMC and sent out to Labcorp can take anywhere from 2 to 7 days for results to be returned, special tests may take longer. So please, make sure that you give yourself enough time to have testing completed prior to your next physician appointment.  If you have questions concerning the turn-around time of your tests, feel free to stop by or call us at 254-897-1433 and ask. GRMC has a patient portal where you can access any tests performed in-house and at Labcorp. Labcorp does also provide a similar service for patients to access laboratory reports performed there, if necessary.

Please be sure to ask about our Hospital Patient portal when registering for hospital services, such as laboratory tests. You will need to provide your email address at registration, and then you should soon receive an email to create your account access.

GRMC’s Hospital Patient Portal

Labcorp Patient Portal

Finally, the mission of the Laboratory at Glen Rose Medical Center mirrors that of the organization.

• • We provide State-of-the-Art Health Care through our unique and ever-expanding continuum of care.
  • We are dedicated to providing quality, patient-focused, community-based medicine that exceeds our customer expectations.
  • We inspire employee and community loyalty by maintaining a safe, appealing environment that promotes the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our staff, patients, and families.

The public may contact the Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling

Laboratory Director, Vanessa Coonrod at 254-897-2215 ext. 1450

Assistant Laboratory Director, Kayla Wylie at 254-897-2215 ext. 5746

or

Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring at 1-800-994-6610 or emailing: complaint@jcaho.org.