Info Desk [Paperwork, ordering, wait times, procedures, booklets, prescriptions...]

Oakland is basically at the edge of the universe as far as I'm concerned. I finally realized that Spirit also runs searches, but they make it impossible to actually get a hold of them to ask if you even need to place an order. I even called up the hygiene services department, and they told me straight up that they don't handle that kind of thing. It’s honestly mind-blowing that in a sea of endless specialized testing, nobody bothers to tackle something this incredibly basic.

Angela Wright said:I have to get a 24-hour urine protein test done. I was handed this red referral slip and now I’m completely lost—where am I even supposed to go with this? Who actually performs these tests, and is the facility going to be properly hygienic? Or am I expected to head straight to one of the major hospitals?

Angela Wright said:Oakland is practically on the other side of the galaxy from where I am. And get this—I just realized that Duh does their own searches too, but it’s impossible to actually get a hold of them to ask if you even need to place an order in the first place. I even called the hygienic services department, and they had the nerve to tell me they don't handle that kind of thing. It is absolutely unbelievable. In a sea of endless specialized analyses, how is it possible that they don't do something this incredibly banal?

The search is being conducted across all major hospitals—St. Jude, Oakland, Rebro, Mercury, and the local equivalents.
Look, you don't even need to bother with an appointment for this. You just show up with your 24-hour urine sample. But listen closely, because if you mess this up, the whole test is useless: you have to toss that very first bit of urine when you wake up in the morning. Let’s say you start the clock at 7:00 AM—you collect every single drop from then until 7:00 AM the next day, and yes, that includes the first catch on the second morning. Get it right!
Regarding the hygiene testing—look, let's get one thing straight: we’re talking about a biochemical screening at the SKZZ level along with creatinine clearance. This isn't some basic microbiological swab. It’s science. So, honestly, there is absolutely no need to act shocked that they aren't performing it.

vividsailor7 said:They run these tests at all the major hospitals—St. Jude, Vinogradski, Rebro, Mercury, and Oakland.
You don't actually need an appointment; you just bring in a 24-hour urine sample. Just make sure you toss the first morning void, say starting from 7 AM, and then collect absolutely everything until 7 AM the following day, including that second morning's first void.
Regarding the hygienic aspect, this is a biochemical analysis performed at the SKZZ level, much like creatinine clearance, rather than a microbiological one. So, there really shouldn't be any surprise as to why they aren't doing it.

Oh please, vividsailor7 runs water analyses, scans objects left and right, organic and inorganic—the sheer list of tests they perform is honestly impressive. That’s exactly where my skepticism comes from.
Thanks for the info; I just assumed the hospitals handled it, I just didn't know if I needed to book ahead. I've seen enough "miracles" lately that I figured this might be one of those impossible things too.

Angela Wright said:Look, vividsailor7 is out here running full-scale water analyses and testing just about everything under the sun—organic, inorganic, you name it. The sheer scope of the testing he’s doing is honestly impressive. That’s exactly why I’m so blown away by all of this.
Thanks for the heads-up. I honestly just assumed hospitals handled all that automatically—I was just missing the piece of information on whether you actually need to book an appointment in advance. I’ve seen so many bizarre things online lately that I honestly thought this might be one of those "too good to be true" scenarios that actually works.

Honestly, this has absolutely nothing to do with medical biochemistry.

vividsailor7 said:That doesn't have much to do with medical biochemistry.

Just like those lazy doctors in local clinics who don't bother doing it either.😉

Is it still true that if a referral is older than 30 days, it's basically trash? I need to get some bloodwork done for the KKS, but my referral expired back on June 6th.

Maria Mitchell23 said:Is it still true that a referral expires if it's more than 30 days old? I need to get some bloodwork done for my KKS, but my referral expired back on June 6th.

Yeah, that rule still stands.

Maybe just ask them if they'll still take it—if you get it sorted right this second, there's a chance it might fly...
My referral for a physical therapist actually expired on me! When I was trying to get on the schedule, they couldn't find an opening within that 30-day window, so I asked if that would be a dealbreaker and they were totally fine with it. Mind you, mine was still pretty much "fresh out of the oven" when I first called to book... 🤷

I need to get a urine culture with an antibiogram done, along with a urine test for ureaplasma and chlamydia. Regarding the latter, my doctor mentioned I could just head over to the infectious disease clinic. I saw online that it might also be possible at Rockefeller's. Does anyone know which place is actually the best option for this?
When I asked the nurse about the specific sample needed for that second test, she told me I wouldn't need to provide it right there—which honestly left me a bit confused. If it's supposed to be a first-morning urine sample, I assume I'll still need to bring the container from home when I go?

Up until now, I've always just dropped off my urine samples for cultures at my local family practice, so I'm wondering if it's feasible to bring both tests in on the same day to either Rockefeller's or the infectious disease clinic?

Quick question—is it actually possible to have chlamydia or ureaplasma if I’ve been with the same partner for years and we aren't cheating?

My doctor sent me to get these specific tests because they found enterococcus in my urine sample.

Can someone clarify the hygiene requirements for me? I’m wondering if I need to completely strip the gel polish off my nails, or if having a fresh set applied is fine. I mean... the guidelines just say they need to be neat.

Does anyone happen to know where I can pick up a medical eye patch?
Thanks.

My doctor let it slide this year, but only because the gel was clear.
I’ve heard some people get through without any issues even with red polish on, so 🤷

crimsonraven28 said:The doctor let it slide for me this year, though I suppose that was only because the gel was clear.
I hear some people get away with it even when they're wearing bright red polish, so 🤷

As for a French manicure... honestly, since I just finished them, I wouldn't be particularly thrilled about having to take them off already. :/

Around here, "professional nails" basically means they have to be clipped short with zero gel or polish on them. They’ve even given girls grief just for having slightly longer natural nails or wearing polish on short ones... I guess the rules change depending on which city you're in.

Do you have to pay for blood work and hormone panels if you don't have supplemental insurance? And does that include the actual blood draw itself? (Sorry, I'm struggling to phrase this—I mean, am I paying just for the referral, or for both the referral and the exam?) Thanks for the help.

Richard Morris34 said:Do I need a referral for blood work and hormone checks if I don't have supplemental insurance? And do I have to pay for the actual blood draws too? (I'm trying to figure out if it's just the referral fee or both the referral and the exam itself). Thanks!

You'll need a referral and a prescription for everything $3.25.
For the lab work, you'll be paying a certain percentage depending on which specific tests they run.

What's the issue here?

swiftbear86 said:Every instruction and prescription follows $3.25.
The withdrawal amount is a specific percentage based on the search value being processed.

What seems to be the issue?

thanks 🙂
blood work and hormone testing

Does anyone know a good private doctor here in Chicago? My sister has this lump growing on her neck, and the pain is just getting worse and worse. She doesn't have health insurance through the Social Security Administration, so I'm looking to take her somewhere private tomorrow morning.

Honestly, just ask your doctor for a referral, or give a private clinic a call. Explain the situation clearly, and they’ll get her in to see a physiatrist or an orthopedist to figure out exactly what’s going on.
Just obviously don't count on anything $67 under those circumstances.

http://www.bates-clinic.com/services

http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pet-ct

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/specialties