Quest Diagnostics

I had blood drawn here two weeks ago. I had been here before, as my doctor’s office is right across the lobby of the building, and had no problems in the past. I made an online appointment and was in and out quickly on a Saturday morning. Phlebotomist was pleasant and actual blood draw went fine. Two weeks pass and I’m still waiting for results from my doctor’s office so I can start a prescription. When I called them to ask why I hadn’t heard from them, they told me they’d never received the lab results from Quest. Here’s where the frustration began. My doctor’s office tried to call the Quest lab all day yesterday, no one ever answered. They suggested I try calling and if that didn’t work stopping by. I tried to call several times and the mailbox was full so it wouldn’t let me leave a message or be on hold. So I put my two young kids in the car and drove all the way to Quest in Gainesville, only to be told by the woman at the desk that they don’t know anything about my results, I have to call the lab number. My favorite part (not) was when I asked why they didn’t answer the phone and she said they are too busy to answer the phones. I tried calling the number she gave me and could not get to a person, so I went to the website they directed met to, signed up for an online account, and then still couldn’t get any information. It was like, «Don’t see your results? Contact your doctor’s office.» No, the doctor is the one who needs the results. I’m so irate that I’ve spent all this time on this. Where is my blood? Where are my results? Do I have to get blood drawn again? If so I will NOT go to Quest. It’s a good thing I’m not seriously ill or anything. The two stars are for the positive past experiences and the ease of the blood draw. Remember Seinfeld at the rental car counter? Here’s my version: «You know how to TAKE the blood, you just don’t know how to TEST the blood. And that’s really the important part: the testing…»

You know, I was skeptical to go here when I read the reviews on Unilocal!I didn’t want to have to wait forever. But, I had a great experience. I made an appointment and went there, then realized I forgot my form from my doctor. Deb, the nice phlebotomist there, said I could come back and didn’t need an appointment. When I came back, Deb also told me that I was supposed to have fasted for the blood draw. She was very nice about it even when I became angry at the Dr.‘s office for not telling me what I needed to do for the test.
So, I came back this morning without an appointment. I had a 5 minute wait and Deb took my blood. She was great! I’m saying this because I HATE needles. She was quick and I didn’t feel a thing! Hoorah! Plus, she has a nice soothing slight Virginia accent that just makes you feel relaxed. Thanks, Deb, for helping me out when my Dr. didn’t! And, she even told me I can get my test results on the Quest website if I registered. My Dr.‘s office didn’t even tell me that! Better customer service here than I get at my Dr.‘s office!!!

Do NOT go here. Period. They folks (although nice) are either over worked or understaff, because EVERY time I go, there is a long wait. I’m not talking 15 minutes. I’m talking 45+ minutes, even early in the day. Crazy.
Save your valuable time and find another place. Making an appointment doesn’t help much, because your still waiting.
I found the secret. Go to PWC Heathcoat Hospital. Just walk in. Sign in. 20 minutes and your out the door. Don’t tell anybody. ;-)

I had to go in this afternoon to give some blood for some lab work. Made my reservation online via the Quest web site earlier in the day — I selected the 1:00 pm time slot and arrived 15 minutes early per the instructions.
No one was sitting at the check in window when I arrived — so I followed the instructions on the sign, signed in and took a seat.
Finally, about 1:16 pm, someone showed up and called my name. Turns out for some reason the web site did not transmit my appointment to the office.
I handed my form and insurance card to the technician — who was very friendly, helpful and professional. She got me all set up, took my blood samples and had me out of there in 5 minutes.
I’m docking one star for the web site appointment hiccup which appears to be the culprit in making me wait a bit…