Unilab Quest Diagnostics

I was told when I arrived it might be a wait, but there were only 5 people in the lobby and only one listed as an appt. so a waited. It took 2 techs there 40 minutes to process 5 people. Wow, feels like the DMV.

I’m very frustrated with Quest Diagnostics right now. I need to have a specialized test done that requires a 12 hour special diet followed by 12 hours of fasting prior to having the test. I have read that not all testing centers carry this particular test. I scheduled an appt for tomorrow morning and have been following the special diet all day today and then will be fasting tonight. I have called Quest several times to confirm that they do indeed perform this test in this location and have not been able to get through to anyone. I have left multiple detailed messages and have not received a call back. This is completely unacceptable. When patients have to prepare for specific tests, we need to be able to speak with a live person and have our questions answered. I will be really angry if I show up for my appt tomorrow morning, to find that they do not have this specific test available!
The only reason I gave them 2 stars is because I have used the lab multiple times in the past and have not had such negative experiences. Otherwise, they would be getting a one star rating from me right now!

Let me say, first off, dealing with the public is never easy, especially when you are in the business of sticking someone with a needle and drawing blood. Rarely an easy task. Really, who enjoys this process. Given the medication I have taken for 20 years, my blood needs drawn often. Yes, I procrastinate, too. In most cases, I schedule an appt., knowing that, even with an appt., there is a chance I will have a wait. I have gone in without an appt. and sometimes the wait is brief, however, this lab services many people. I go in with a positive attitude and I know there will be a wait. If it’s a long wait, I return at another time. Fortunately, I live close. Understanding that many people fast and cannot return, schedule an appt. online. It’s simple. The ladies that work in this lab do the best they can and often have to wait for doctor’s offices to call them with verifications before they can perform the lab request. Often it’s because the doctor’s penmanship is illegible. Legally, they must verify the work to be completed. Give these ladies a break. On another note, I just had a conversation with a Quest customer service rep. on the 800 line. Candace was pleasant, helpful and very efficient. She answered my billing questions in less then five minutes. Thank you Quest Diagnostics for doing your work well and dealing with all the unhappy people daily who give you a difficult time.

I try to start with a fresh and positive attitude every time I come in here, but after this last time I just can’t do it anymore. Go somewhere– anywhere else.

I had an 8 am appt. I walked in at 8:05. They took me at 8:45. I think I was «punished» for being 5 min late. Thrown into «gen population of walk-​ins» as they say. Mind you, a blood draw takes 1 – 2 min yet there was a period of time where 15 min passed and nobody was seen. So they are more intent to wait for appts, than to see walk ins or people who HAD appts who hit traffic.
There was a «walk-​in» lady there before me just reading her book. I walked out and she was still there. I assume she is still waiting to this day. I will pray for her soul.

WARNING! This location is very bad. Drive a few extra miles and go to another Quest location. The san ramon valley location lacks privacy, cleanliness and basic standards of care. The employees lack training and skills. Trust your care to a higher performing location with higher quality standards and better resources.

Worst front desk service ever — had a 9am appt and was signed in by 9:03. At 9:57 and ZERO communication from the front desk lady, I walked up and asked of why everyone was going ahead of me when I had a 9am appt. She said I was 3 minutes late so my appt was cancelled and now I have to wait like everyone else. Would’ve been nice to get that feedback at 9:03am now that I’ve been here for an hour — what a joke. I will never come here again — rude, smug and disrespectful.

I read the negative reviews and was apprehensive, however, I had to go to Quest because they are the only lab in the area which offers an Omega 3/​Omega 6 Blood Test which all 4 members of my family needed. Due to a hereditary disease requiring multiple blood tests, both of my teenagers, my husband and I have gone to Quest multiple times in the past couple of months. Much blood has been drawn (up to 8 vials per person, per visit) and my children feel faint during the process. My husband actually fainted at his blood draw. I was expecting the worst at our first visit, due to previous Unilocal reviews, but we have had only positive experiences at each visit. I let Vibh (spelling?) at the front desk know that my kids were nervous and, I felt, they were given extra care and compassion. Peng, the phlebotomist, has done the blood draw every time we have visited. Both women have been sweet and kind with our blood-​queasy family. Each family member has been offered the bed to lay down during their blood draw and/​or used the bed to rest and recover after the blood draw. They provide damp cloths to place on the forehead and stay with each person, talking with them until they feel well enough to leave. I have never felt like our extra needs have been a bother or an inconvenience. I have been so pleased with how helpful they have been that I went on the Quest Diagnostics Feedback website to leave positive feedback and I wrote this positive Unilocal review.

Horrible front desk «service.» Extensive bruising (abnormal for me) following blood work.

Ok, I saw the negative reviews! I usually get my blood drawn in Berkeley where I work, but last year was a disaster (I’ll spare you the gory details!). Let’s just say that my doctor never got the results! So, this time he told me to go to the Quest in Orinda, near his office. I hate getting my blood drawn. Why? Because I hate fasting! When I wake up, I want my Peets coffee and soy creamer right away! Orinda is a little to far to go when you’re fasting! I booked my appointment online 2 hours before, and I got an immediate email confirmation, including directions. The Indian woman, who people complain about in the reviews was very nice and efficient (really!). I was waiting for her to piss me off, but it never happened! There was no wait, and wonderful Peng drew my blood. It was totally painless! The first time ever that I felt no pain! One stick! Peng was great to talk to, and she asked me what I was doing when I left. I said that I was going to Danville to have breakfast. ASAP!

Rude and lazy. The Indian lady told my 5 year old that if she ate healthy she wouldn’t need to get her blood drawn again and that she’s having it drawn because she eats too much candy. My daughter has epilepsy and GI and has her blood drawn 6+ times a year to check her liver and other organ functions due to her meds… not because she eats unhealthy.
She has multiple times had to stick my daughter 3 times to get enough blood to fill the 9 vials needed. I thought this was normal until we went to the lab at San Ramon Regional and they did it with one stick.
They are rude, lazy and have no accountability. When my daughter’s GI doctor called to get previous blood results, they said they have only one record of her getting her blood drawn there… more like 10 times in less than 2 years. The Doctor had to call the main quest to get her records. Get your act together.
This quite possibly may be the only place that makes the DMV seem like a well oiled machine.

Ronisha was great! I had to give blood 3 times over a 2 hour period and she was so accommodating! I hate giving blood and needles, and I didn’t feel a thing each time! I was allowed to wait in the side room with an examination table and read my book – didn’t have to go out in the waiting room – and I could hear her helping other patients during that time, at least 8 or 9 patients. Every single person was commenting how easy it was to get their blood drawn by her. I recommend arriving 10 minutes before they open (7:20am) so you’re the first customer to get on the list! You’ll be in and out in a flash!

The lab was ok but EVERY SINGLE TIME I have used Quest it has been a circus to try to get my lab results in time for my Dr. Appt.
If I could give this a 0 star rating I would.

This was a horrible place to visit. They had a line with several people waiting. Trouble being both techs were doing paperwork so NO blood draws. Walked over to muir lab had a great experience! Quest needs more people and possibly a little attitude adjustment. BAD

Stay away from this lab! Rarely have I had a worse customer service experience. I walked into this lab, which is dirty and dingy, and patiently waited for the front desk lady (I believe her name was Catherine) to check me in. She was disorganized, inefficient and incredibly RUDE! In fact I heard her be rude on the phone to another patient before ever dealing with her myself. She very gruffly yelled at me that one of my labs required fasting then proceeded to argue with me when I informed her my doctor had told me it would be fine and I should get my labs done. This woman had absolutely no business being at the front desk helping customers she clearly hated her job and made my experience extremely unpleasant. I will say that the phlebotomist who actually drew my blood was extremely sweet and kind. I barely felt the poke and she was very personable.

Phlebotomist was very nice but the front desk lady was very rude and disorganized — the place was PACKED and they have 2 employees only working?

I had to get blood work done for a doctor’s appointment and had the choice of this lab or the Muir Lab that I typically go to. Sadly, Muir lab was so busy, they had no chairs left available in the waiting room, so I decided to come to this one where there were only 2 people in the waiting room.
When it was my turn to get blood taken, the woman who took my blood lined up 24 vials, insisting that the order I had from the doctor indicated that all were needed. Since I am a fast and good bleeder, I cowboyed up while she stuck my arm. As she was going for the first vial, her scrub rubbed the needle out of my arm and needless to say, blood started flying EVERYWHERE! Blood dripping down my arm, onto the floor, onto her outfit, etc. It was like a bad movie and luckily, I gave birth to a 10 pound baby 13 ½ years ago and am not afraid of pain or blood.
She apologized profusely, cleaned me up a bit (I did the rest) and stuck the other arm (good veins I have) and one by one filled up (yes I said filled up) each and every one of those 24 vials.
When I went to see my doctor 2 weeks later and asked why he insisted on taking so much blood, he shuddered and said that no one should ever have reason to take more than 17 vials maximum. Luckily, I am a good bleeder and that she didn’t bruise me in either arm, but seriously-​not sure of the sterility of this lab or the professionalism of the people working here.
Survey says… FAIL!