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Posted 5/7/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Over the months as I read about folks that have to wait days and weeks for test results. I feel so lucky because when I get my blood drawn I literally sit in the waiting room for 45 minutes to wait for the results. It seems so cruel that some have to wait days. Why does it have to be that way? The medical community should be thoughtful enough to place peoples emotions high on the priority list.
Now that I am through venting I am wondering how many people saw the massive floods we had here in TN? WOW and the sink holes are huge. But hey life is great

peace to you
dale
Posted 5/7/2010 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I have my blood drawn at a hospital, and then go in next day and get a copy through medical records. Type A personality.

Some guys just hve more patience than I .
Posted 5/7/2010 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I have the lab send a copy of my report to my home. I usually get it 2-3 days after the test. Works out well for me.
Posted 5/7/2010 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Even though I don't live in a major urban area, I get the results of my PSA tests within 48-72 hours of the blood being drawn, and since my surgery and SRT, as a courtesy, I get a phone call from my uro's nurse as soon as they get the results.

You bring up a good point, I have been an advocate for the mental/emotional side of medical treatments for more than twenty years, even the best doctors and hospitals don't often think about that side of the equation, which for some people, patients ,and families, can be just as devestating and harmful as what the patient is being treated for. I believe its a good topic to discuss, even beyond PC.

David in SC
Posted 5/7/2010 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Why is it that way?

Because most of us do not have blood drawn where the testing facility in on-site. Our samples need to be sent to a lab
Posted 5/7/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Another point is the my Uro's office has the lab to process the results but my insurance requires that it be shipped of to another state for processing. Got to love BCBS.

Usually a 2 day results.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 5/7/2010 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Dale, I am with you. They draw the blood when I get to the doctor's office and have the results by the time I see the doctor or the nurse brings it in when he is checking me over.

Saw the floods. I have good friends that live in Memphis (Germantown) and they said they had "tons of rain".
Posted 5/7/2010 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I did remember when it was time for me to go get tested, but then I forgot for several days to follow-up and contact the doctor's office to ask for the result...too much else going on.  I get the results by email, which is convenient...but I have to actually ask for them.
Posted 5/7/2010 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
My Ins. Co. uses a national lab for everything - sent off UPS. Takes 5-7 business days for anything.

My Uro. uses Bostwick, but with UPS standard being the only allowed reimbursed
shipping mode, it still takes 5 days. They do group stuff, so if there is something critical going, they box it all up together under the faster shipping.
Bostwick writes off the difference. My Ins. only would pay for a 6 core biopsy, and the Uro. did 12. Bostwick took the hit. Kudos to them.

It is very close to inhuman to ask someone to wait that long, but we let the companies run things, so we are at their mercy (profit margins).

When I lived overseas, under a national health care, it was stand in line for hours with 150 people for a blood test, but the results were back the next day.
I'm honestly not sure which is worse.

Post Edited (142) : 5/6/2010 9:40:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/7/2010 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
Just goes to show you, being Mr President has its benefits. lol...........Kev
Posted 5/7/2010 9:08 AM (GMT 0)
Path lab tests such as biopsies and post op examination of the gland after removal take a few days to process as they have to prepare, stain the samples etc.

My blood is taken and tested in the same building where I see the uro. However the waiting results from the whole thing being done the other way round as it starts with me being given an appointment to be given the results, then I get told to have a test done at some time in the week before that. It's worked so far, but I think we all have an anxious wait regardless of when we get the results.

Alf
Posted 5/7/2010 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
Dale, no idea why some people have to wait so long for their PSA results. I don't think it has anything to do with the test which seems to be a relatively simple one to run. In our case, the blood is drawn at the urologist's office, and sent off to their lab (it's a huge medical practice with several locations). Before we get the results, the doctor has to review and sign off. We have never had anyone other than the urologist call with the results - and we usually get the call between 24 and 36 hours later. In fact, the urologist called us once on a Saturday afternoon - this was a somewhat unusual situation as John's last PSA had been 0.3 and we were getting ready to begin SRT. The urologist called us on the weekend because he wanted us to know that John's PSA had gone back down to undetectable (thought that was awfully kind of him to do since it would have waited til Monday). We are grateful for the care and concern this urologist shows us and all his patients as he has an excellent reputation in our part of the world.
Posted 5/7/2010 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
I guess for me - ingornace is bliss.

I get the blood drawn and meet with the surgeon the following week.

One time the surgeon wasn't in and they sent me on my way empty handed. Two days later they tried to send me home empty handed again till I rasied a little stink and got to meet one of the other Uro's.

Speaking of tests - I go in next Monday for the TWO YEAR blood draw smhair

Posted 5/7/2010 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Psa test results 10-14 days over hear if i am lucky
Posted 5/7/2010 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
My guys have a in house lab so i get mine the next morning.
Posted 5/7/2010 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
I go to Sloan Kettering. They draw blood and post results on the patient portal within hours. Prior to this I went to Duke - same deal, the results are on the portal as soon as they are done with the test. I like the technology.
Posted 5/7/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
When my husband's PSA results came in, it was late November.  Could not get an appt. with uro until Dec 10th.  When he said my husband had a lump and needed a biopsy, our hearts dropped to the floor!  Had to wait until Jan 18th for biopsy, because the uro was going on vacation!  When the results came in, he called us and told us it was cancer over the phone!!  Then he said not to come in until we had looked up some things about PCa on the web.  Finally got to have a face to face sit down with him Jan 28th.  Longest 49 days in our lives!!!  You are so right.  Many doctors need to go classes to learn about peoples emotions. 

Georgeann

Posted 5/7/2010 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Dale,
It depends on the facility and the equipment available at the facility. I have grown used to going in a week earlier fro the draw and getting my test results when I see my oncologist. But it's only because I don't really ming. Many large cancer facilities and hospitals have a piece of equipment in their labs called STAT or i-STAT. In such cases most blood draws can be run within an hour including a PSA test. Other tests such as PAP and DHT take longer to run, and since they are drawing them, it is better to have the patient come in sooner. When I had my tests run STAT I would only be able to get CNC, PSA, Lipid Panels and such. Since I want the more extensive tests, I com in a week earlier and get the results in a more relaxed fashion.

If a facility does not have onsite labs, then they will usually have you go to one to get your tests. If they run them at their site than they have to wait for it to be transported to a lab and results sent back. One reason that a Cancer Center is better than a community doctors office.

Tony
Posted 5/7/2010 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Stat actually means immediately in hospital lingo. It probably just means you went to the head of the line.
Posted 5/8/2010 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for all the replies. I am hoping that someday the medical community improves their customer service. It isn't bad but it could always be better.
The rain water has finally dissipated here in TN but the damage is still here.

peace to all
Dale
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