Gamma-Dynacare


	Patient Services Centre Locator Frequently Asked Questions Patient Satisfaction Survey Contacting Gamma-Dynacare

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about a particular test or service offered by Gamma-Dynacare? You might find the answer here in our Frequently Asked Questions section.

My doctor has asked me to go to a Patient Services Centre to have some laboratory tests performed. How can I find the one closest to me?

Our Patient Services Centre Locator can help you easily find the centre most convenient for you. The locator also provides hours of operation, telephone numbers and a map showing the location of your requested centre.

Do I have to make an appointment for my test?

Most visits to our Patient Services Centres do not require appointments. Tests that do require you to make an appointment include:

Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests (GTTs)
Lactose and Xylose Tolerance Tests
Holter Monitoring
Urea Breath Tests for Helicobacter Pylori
Breath Alcohol Testing
US Department of Transportation (DOT) urine procedures.

What should I take with me to the Patient Services Centre?

All that you need to bring is your Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care requisition, your health card and, if requested by your clinician, any specimens that you were required to collect at home.

For which tests do I have to fast and for how long? Can I have water?

For your clinician to accurately interpret your results on certain tests, you might be asked to fast. This is because the levels of many analytes become elevated in the bloodstream immediately after eating and fluctuate depending on when you have eaten and the quantity of food consumed. When you fast, these variations are eliminated. This also allows your clinician to compare your current results with your past results. In addition to fasting, you might be requested to abstain from stimulants (such as caffeine or nicotine), physical activity or specific foods that can alter clinical results.

It is recommended that you fast (no food, including chewing gum, or drink other than water) for a minimum of 12 hours prior to specimen collection for the following tests:

Cholesterol
Glucose
HDL Cholesterol
Homocysteine
Lactose Tolerance
LDL Cholesterol
Lipoprotein Phenotyping
Oral Glucose Tolerance(GTT)
Triglycerides
Xylose Tolerance

I have been asked to collect a specimen at home and to take it to a Gamma-Dynacare Patient Services Centre. What procedure should I follow?

If you have been asked to collect a specimen at home, please visit the Collection Instructions area of our Web site for complete instructions on collecting urine, stool and other specimens for testing.

When will my clinician receive my test results?

Most routine test results are reported within 24 hours. Some tests require more time for processing or to allow for growth of microorganisms; these results can take several days to weeks to report. Any clinically significant abnormal results are promptly telephoned to your clinician.

Are my test results confidential?

All tests results are highly confidential. Gamma-Dynacare has strict guidelines to ensure that only the referring clinician receives your test results. If your clinician requests that we forward your results to another clinician, we will do so.

Can I receive my own results?

Laboratory test results can be meaningless or misleading in the absence of other clinical findings by your clinician. Please contact your clinician to receive your results.

At which Gamma-Dynacare locations can I have sperm analysis performed?

This depends on whether the sample is required for fertility testing or for post-vasectomy testing. Fertility testing is performed at a limited number of locations and you should contact Customer Service to find our specialized location nearest to you. For post-vasectomy testing, the specimen can be dropped off at any Gamma-Dynacare Patient Services Centre.

Please click on Collection Instructions for more information.

How long will I have to wait at a Patient Services Centre?

Wait times vary throughout the day. The busiest time typically is in the morning until about 10:30 a.m. This is because fasting patients typically arrive as early as possible. If your test does not require you to fast and you are able to arrive either later in the morning or in the afternoon, your wait time is likely to be shorter.

Will the blood collection process hurt?

Our staff is professionally trained to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the collection process. If you have any concerns, our laboratory technicians will do their best to accommodate you.

Will Gamma-Dynacare staff be able to explain to me why my clinician has requested specific tests?

No. There could be many different reasons why your clinician has requested specific tests and our Patient Services staff is not at liberty to discuss the tests ordered. All inquiries should be made to your referring clinician.

Does OHIP pay for all tests?

While most routine medical laboratory tests are covered by provincial health insurance plans such as OHIP, some important newer tests are not. These tests, such as homocysteine and blood allergy testing (see Test Descriptions), might be covered by supplementary health insurance as part of your employment benefits package. Each insurance carrier has its own criteria for deciding which tests to cover, so you are advised to consult your benefits plan or to contact a representative from your employer’s human resources department for clarification. If a test is not covered by provincial or supplementary health insurance, you will be required to pay for the test.