TESTS AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Lanoxin (digoxin) levels
Lanoxin (digoxin) is a drug that stabilizes heart rhythms. Commonly, your physician has to monitor the drug level in your blood to determine toxicity, low dosage or to assist him/her in adjusting your dose. In order to obtain an accurate result, we will need to draw your blood at least 6 hours after your dose of Lanoxin. Before coming to have your Lanoxin level tested, note the time that you take your dose. Laboratory staff will ask you for the time that the dose was taken. Plan to arrive at the laboratory at least 6 hours after the dose.

Note: Under special circumstances, the test can be done without knowing the time of the last dose. Please phone the lab at 707-963-6483 if you have a question about the dose or the test.

Strep throat screening
The bacterium, Streptococcus pyogenes, is the leading cause of what is commonly called strep throat. At St. Helena Hospital Laboratory, we have a rapid method available for your convenience. You will need a doctor's order for this test. The test consists of obtaining a swab of the patient's throat and testing the swab for the presence of the Strep bacteria. The test takes about 15 minutes to perform. If you or your child is found to have strep throat, a dose of antibiotics usually dramatically reduces pain and fever. If the rapid test is found to be negative, we perform a slower, more sensitive test to find the strep bacteria. This test takes one or two days longer and definitively rules out any strep infection.

Stool collection for ova and parasites or culture (C&S)
If your doctor asks that you get a test for ova and parasites (O&P) or stool culture (C&S) you must pick up a collection kit from St. Helena Hospital Laboratory or from your doctor's office. It is essential that the specimen be fresh and preserved to obtain a good result. The stool specimen must be collected in a clean container (usually provided) before it reaches the toilet. Immediately after collection into the container, put the specimen into the bottle containing preservative(s). The bottles have a built-in spoon built in to the lid to aid you in putting specimen into the preservative. Add specimen up to the line indicated on the preservative containers, but no more. Mix well. Discard any extra specimen in the toilet and discard the collection container. After washing your hands, label each specimen preservative container with your name, the time and date that the specimen was collected, and check whether the stool specimen was formed, soft or liquid upon collection. Keep the stool preservative at room temperature until you've returned the specimen to the laboratory. If your doctor asks you to collect multiple specimens, collect one a day for the required time.

Important things to keep in mind:
Do not let the specimen fall into the toilet water. If this happens,    collect another specimen.

Put the specimen into the stool preservative as soon as possible    after collection.

Be sure to label each specimen preservative with your name, time and    date of the collection, and indicate the formation of the stool.

Collect all specimens before taking suppositories, laxatives, Pepto    Bismol, kaolin or oils.

Collect specimen for stool culture (C&S) prior to taking antibiotics.