Laboratory services

As of Sept. 16, laboratory services in most Allina Health clinics will transition to Quest Diagnostics (Quest), a nationwide leader in laboratory services.

This means Quest employees (many of whom transitioned from Allina Health) will provide your laboratory care (examples: blood draws and diagnostic tests) using Quest-managed equipment and processes in most Allina Health clinics. There are no changes to inpatient testing in our hospitals. 

Our commitment to you

Throughout the transition and beyond, Allina Health and Quest Diagnostics are fully committed to maintaining the expert care you know and trust.

As we transition to Quest, every effort is being made to limit disruptions and delays to your care. 

Visit https://www.allinahealth.org/questdiagnostics for more information.

We are certified or accredited by:

• American Association of Blood Banks
• Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)
• College of American Pathologists (CAP)
• Joint Commission
• COLA

Collection instructions

It's important to follow these instructions so your sample or specimen is collected the right way. This will help your test results be correct.

Follow the instructions (such as fasting) from your health care provider for test preparation or for collection at home or refer to the Related Links section below and click on your specific lab test for more information.

Samples may be collected by Allina Health Laboratory staff, or delivered to the any one of our lab locations.

Instructions are available in these languages: English, Hmong, Russian, Somali and Spanish.

• Urine culture: How to collect a sample
  English, Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish
   
• 24 hour urine samples: How to collect a sample
  24-hour urine collection instructions: English
  24-hour urine collection instructions: Arabic
   
• Fecal occult blood test: How to take a stool sample
  English, Arabic, Hmong, Somali, Russian
   
• Sputum: How to collect a sample for your lab test
  English, Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish
   
• Stool: How to collect a sample for your lab test
  English, Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish
   
• Pinworm: How to collect a pinworm sample
  English, Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somai, Spanish
   
• Saliva: How to collect a saliva sample for a cortisol test
  English, Arabic, Hmong, Russian, Somali, Spanish

Fasting for a blood specimen collection

An overnight fast is required for a number of laboratory tests. If your provider has instructed you to fast prior to the collection of your blood specimen, please follow these instructions to ensure optimal results.

• Do not eat or drink anything except normal amounts of plain water for 8-10 hours before the blood draw (8 hours for glucose testing). 
• You may drink normal amounts of water, but no coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea, or juice. In addition, you should avoid alcoholic beverages for 48 hours if lipid testing is ordered.
• Do not smoke, chew gum, or exercise the morning of the test.
• Take your medications, unless your provider has instructed you otherwise.

Fasting for a blood test - Patient card

Fine needle aspiration

Fine needle aspiration questions and answers

Bone marrow biopsy with aspiration

Cesarean birth patients

Abbott Northwestern Hospital Cesarean Birth patient instructions

Allina Health Laboratory has seven Twin Cities locations for collection or drop off of samples (specimen).

A written order from your Minnesota licensed provider will be necessary to perform your lab work. We are unable to accept orders from providers located outside of Minnesota.

Please be prepared with an order for the Allina Health Laboratory from your provider/clinic and a copy of your insurance card.

Copies of the results of your laboratory work will be sent to your provider.

Use your secure Allina Health account to view test results within hours; most are released the same day.