Outpatient Laboratory Services

Akron Children’s Hospital offers outpatient laboratory services specialized for infants, adolescents, and teenagers. Locations include Akron, Beachwood, Boardman, Boston Heights, Mansfield, Medina, North Canton, Ravenna, Warren and Wooster.

Lab hours vary by location, generally open Monday to Friday, with some locations closed on weekends. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be scheduled by calling 330-543-2778 (option 3). For more information, visit the Outpatient Laboratory page.

See below for the most asked questions about outpatient lab services at Akron Children’s Hospital.

Where can I get a collection container for my child’s specimen?
You can obtain a collection container from your provider’s office or any of our Outpatient Lab locations. Click to view Outpatient Lab locations and hours: Laboratory Services | Akron Children’s

Where can I go to drop off a specimen?
You can drop a specimen off at any of our Outpatient Lab Locations. Please make sure the patient’s name and date of birth are clearly marked on the container along with the date and time the specimen was collected (include am or pm). Click to view Outpatient Lab locations and hours: Laboratory Services | Akron Children’s

Where can I go to be drawn?
There are Outpatient Labs on both our Akron and Mahoning Valley hospital campuses. There are also Outpatient Lab locations in our Health Centers. Click to view Outpatient Lab locations and hours: Laboratory Services | Akron Children’s

How do I schedule a Glucose Tolerance/Challenge Test?
Glucose Tolerance/Challenge testing is performed only at the Akron and Mahoning Valley hospital campuses. For testing on the Akron Campus, please call 330-543-8573, option 2. For testing at the Mahoning Valley Campus, please call 330-746-9623.

How do I schedule a Sweat Chloride Test?
Sweat Chloride testing is only performed at the Akron campus. To schedule, please call 330-543-8573, option 2.

Who can I call if I have questions before I come to be drawn?
For testing on the Akron Campus, please call 330-543-8573, option 4. For testing at the Mahoning Valley Campus, please call 330-746-9623.

Do I need an appointment?
Appointments are not needed, and walk-ins are always welcome. Walk-ins are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you wish to schedule an appointment for a blood draw, please call our Appointment Center at 330-543-2778, option 3. The Appointment Center can’t schedule Sweat Chloride or Glucose Tolerance/Challenge Testing.

I’m an adult. Can I have my blood drawn at an Akron Children’s Outpatient Lab location?
Yes, you can! Our phlebotomists are skilled at drawing patients of all ages. Many of our hospital departments see adult patients and send them to us to be drawn. Our employees frequently come to us to have their labs drawn as well.

What do I need to bring with me to be registered?
Please bring your insurance card and a photo ID with you. If your orders are not from an Akron Children’s provider, we will also need a paper copy of them.

How long will I have to wait?
We are not able to predict a wait time since some patient draws may require extra help and need more time than others. Our busiest times tend to be late morning/lunch time and late afternoon, after children are dismissed from school.

Can I go to an Akron Children’s Pediatrics (ACP) office to have my blood drawn?
If you’re an ACP patient and your provider orders labs at your visit, there is a good chance that staff in the office will be able to collect the specimen. If they can’t, they will direct you to an Outpatient Lab location.

Can I eat and drink before having my blood drawn?
Your provider should give you instructions when they order the bloodwork. For pediatric patients, many providers do not care if the patient is fasting for a Glucose or Lipid panel. For adults, you will almost always be instructed to fast for these tests. If you are uncertain, please contact your provider’s office for instructions.

My orders are in Epic at Summa, University Hospitals, Metro, Cleveland Clinic, or another health system. Can you see them?
Even though Akron Children’s is on Epic, we are not able to view orders in other hospitals’ Epic systems. Epic has an application called Care Everywhere that lets your provider see your history, including completed lab results, to provide treatment but we can’t see your pending orders. You will need to provide us with a paper copy of your orders.

Do I need to bring orders from my provider with me?
If an Akron Children’s provider ordered your tests, they are in our Epic system and you don’t need to bring them. If your orders were not entered by an Akron Children’s Hospital provider in our Akron Children’s Hospital Epic system, you will need to bring a paper copy of your orders. We can’t see pending orders in other hospitals’ Epic systems.

How many vials of blood will you draw?
Many tests can share a vial, so we do not normally need to draw one vial for each test. We have a Maximum Allowable Blood Draw Volume policy that is based on the child’s weight to ensure we don’t draw too much blood. If we need more blood than we can safely draw, as outlined in the policy, we will ask the ordering provider to prioritize the testing to be drawn that day and have you return after at least three days to be drawn for the remainder of the tests.

My child is special needs. Will you be able to draw them?
Our staff are skilled at drawing special needs patients! Please let us know if you think additional help will be needed to hold your child. Our staff will call in another staff member to help hold an arm so the draw can be performed, but we can’t restrain a child. If you anticipate that more help will be needed, we recommend you bring a second person along to help hold. We also recommend that you don’t come on Saturday or at our busiest times which tend to be late morning/lunch time and late afternoon, after children are dismissed from school. We will draw provided we don’t think the situation is going to cause harm to you, your child, or the phlebotomist.

How late can I come for a blood draw?
We kindly ask that you arrive 15 minutes before our posted closing time. Please click here for Outpatient Lab locations and hours: Laboratory Services | Akron Children’s. Note the Outpatient Labs at the Health Centers are closed daily from 12:00 to 1:00 pm for lunch.

How will my child’s blood be drawn?
Blood is drawn either by venipuncture or capillary stick from a finger or heel, depending on the patient’s age, the test ordered, and the volume of blood needed. Lab staff do not perform arterial sticks and do not draw from a peripheral IV, port, indwelling catheter or line, PICC line, dialysis catheter, or fistula.

My child has orders for a cath urine culture. Can this be collected in the Outpatient Lab?
No, lab staff can’t perform a catheterization to collect a urine. Please discuss collection options with your provider. Lab staff can put a urine bag on an infant to collect a urine specimen.

My child is on medication and needs to have a timed draw following administration of the medication. Can this be done?
Yes, we can usually accommodate this and will do our best to make sure your child is drawn at the correct time. Please arrive early enough to be registered and keep in mind there could be several patients in front of you. You can also schedule an appointment with the Appointment Center at 330-543-2778, option 3. It is recommended that you schedule the appointment 15-20 minutes before the necessary draw time to allow for the registration process and the phlebotomist to prepare for the draw.

How do I get my child’s results?
The results will be sent to the ordering provider once testing is complete and they should contact you. If you are signed up for MyChart, you will also receive an email notification that results are available in MyChart. Click here to learn more about what you can do on MyChart and log in: MyChart - Login Page

How long will the testing take before I get results?
The results for many commonly ordered tests are released to MyChart the same day they are drawn. Some tests are sent out to a reference lab, and it can take 3-7 days for results to come back. Genetic test results can take four to six weeks. The Lab can’t release results to the patient or family, so please contact your provider with questions.

Who do I call if I have a question about my bill?
If you have a question regarding the cost of a laboratory test, please contact our Lab Billing Office at 330-543-8414. Please note that our staff can’t tell you if your insurance will cover the test or how much they will pay. If you need to set up a payment plan, you can sign up on Patient Portal - AccessOne. You can also contact a financial counselor by calling 330-543-2455.

I am just dropping a specimen off and don’t need to be drawn. Why do I need to wait in line?
Patients, including employees, are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Even if you don’t need drawn, you have to be registered so your specimen can be properly labeled.

Lab hours vary by location and can be found here.

Walk ins are always welcome. You can also schedule an appointment for any lab testing by calling 330-543-2778 (option 3).

• Do not submit an anaerobic (Orange) bottle without an aerobic (Green) bottle.
• If only one bottle can be drawn, an aerobic bottle (Green) should be used.

Collection Volumes & Media Type by Patient Weight:

For Patient weight in Kilograms: <1

• Draw volume: 2 ml
• Volume for Aerobic Green FA Plus bottle: 2 ml
• Volume for Anaerobic Orange FN Plus bottle: Do not draw

For Patient weight in Kilograms: 1.1 to 2

• Draw volume: 4 ml
• Volume for Aerobic Green FA Plus bottle: 2 ml
• Volume for Anaerobic Orange FN Plus bottle: 2 ml

For Patient weight in Kilograms: 2.1 to 12.7

• Draw volume: 6 ml
• Volume for Aerobic Green FA Plus bottle: 4 ml
• Volume for Anaerobic Orange FN Plus bottle: 2 ml

For Patient weight in Kilograms: 12.8 to 36.3

• Draw volume: 10 ml
• Volume for Aerobic Green FA Plus bottle: 5 ml
• Volume for Anaerobic Orange FN Plus bottle: 5 ml

For Patient weight in Kilograms: >36.3

• Draw volume: 20 ml
• Volume for Aerobic Green FA Plus bottle: 10 ml
• Volume for Anaerobic Orange FN Plus bottle: 10 ml

Why can’t the lab release my orders?
The lab can’t release orders that are entered as a Clinic Collect or a Unit Collect. The lab can release orders that are entered as a Future Lab collect. Orders from outside providers do not show up in our Epic system, even if their facility is on Epic; these tests must be manually ordered in our Epic system from a paper script.

Does my patient need a paper copy of their orders?
If you are not an Akron Children’s Hospital provider who is entering electronic orders in our Epic system, the patient will need a paper copy of their orders. We can’t see pending orders in other hospitals’ Epic systems.

I want my test to be a venipuncture, not a capillary stick. How do I make sure this happens?
Please enter Venipuncture in the order comment. This will print on our instruction labels.

Who can I call to find out how much is charged for the test I am ordering?
You can call the Lab Billing Office to find out what we charge. Keep in mind, we can’t tell you how much insurance will pay and for what amount the patient will be responsible.

How long will it take to get my results back?
You can refer to the Akron Children’s Hospital Lab Test Directory online to see turn-around-times for common tests. For Genetic tests that aren’t built, you can assume results will take four to six weeks.

Important: Do not urinate (pee) directly into the large collection container. Use the smaller urine (pee) collection hat provided. Keep the large container in the fridge or on ice.

Materials Needed:

• Urine Hat
• 24-hour urine container
• These supplies can be obtained from your provider’s office or an outpatient lab location.

How to Collect Your Urine:

1. Start the collection:

• When you wake up, pee in the toilet first. Do not save this urine.
• Write down the date and exact time on the collection container. This is your start time.

2. Collect all urine for the next 24 hours:

• Each time you pee, pour it into the large container.
• If you have a bowel movement, try not to get stool in the urine.

3. Keep urine cold:

• Store the container in the fridge or on ice between each collection.
• Make sure the lid is on tight to prevent spills.

4. If you make a mistake:

• If you forget to collect any urine or get stool in it, please obtain a new container and start over the next day.

5. End the collection:

• The next morning, at the same time as the start time, pee one last time and add it to the container.
• This is your final sample.

6. Label the container:

• Use the label provided by your provider or write your name and date of birth on the container. Also write the start date and time, and end date and time (include AM or PM).

7. Bring the sample to the lab:

• Take the container to the lab within 1-2 hours and keep it cold. If collected in the evening, please take to the outpatient lab the following morning. Keep it in the refrigerator or on ice to keep it cold.
• At the lab, staff will check you in, print a label for your container, and confirm your name and birth date. If any questions please contact the lab. (Akron Outpatient Lab 330-543-8573 or Mahoning Valley Lab 330-746-9623).

• Collect the sample first thing in the morning before using the bathroom or taking a bath.

Supplies Needed:

• Pinworm Collection Kit
• This kit can be obtained from your provider’s office or an outpatient lab location.

How to Collect the Sample:

1. Take the specimen tube out of the package. Do not touch the paddle. Do not disconnect the paddle from the lid.
2. Have the child lie on their stomach and gently separate the buttocks. If there is poop on the skin, do not collect the sample. Try again the next morning.
3. Press the sticky side of the paddle against the skin around the anus several times. Do not put the paddle inside the rectum.
4. Put the paddle back into the tube and press firmly to close it.
5. Use the label provided by your provider or write the child’s name and date of birth on the container. Also include the date and time of collection (include AM or PM).
6. Wash your hands well.
7. Take the sample to an Akron Children’s outpatient lab as soon as possible.
8. Lab staff will check you in, give you a test label, and confirm the child’s name and birth date. If any questions please contact the lab. (Akron Outpatient Lab 330-543-8573 or Mahoning Valley Lab 330-746-9623).

• Collect the sample between 11 p.m. and midnight, unless your doctor says otherwise.
• Do not brush your teeth, eat, drink, or take any oral medicine for at least 1 hour before collecting the sample.
• 10 minutes before collecting, rinse your mouth with warm water for 5 seconds.

Supplies Needed

• Salivary Cortisol Collection Kit
• This kit can be obtained from your provider’s office or an outpatient lab location.

How to Collect the Sample:

1. Take off the tube cap to expose the swab.
2. Tip the tube so the swab falls into your mouth. Do not touch the swab with your fingers.
3. Keep the swab in your mouth for about 2 minutes. Roll it around, but do not chew it.
4. Spit the swab back into the tube. Do not touch it with your fingers.
5. Put the cap back on tightly.
6. Use the label provided by your provider or write your name and date of birth on the container. Also write the date and time of collection (include AM or PM).
7. Wash your hands well.
8. Take the sample to an Akron Children’s outpatient lab within 24 hours. The specimen can be kept at room temperature.
9. At the lab, staff will check you in, give you a test label, and confirm your name and birth date. If any questions please contact the lab. (Akron Outpatient Lab 330-543-8573 or Mahoning Valley Lab 330-746-9623).

• Make sure the child does not have any creams or ointments on their bottom.
• A diaper with stool in it will not be accepted.
• Do not take stool from the toilet bowl.
• The stool must be in an approved container. If you bring it in a different container, you will be given a proper one at the lab and will need to transfer the sample there.
• If urine gets in the stool, please obtain a new specimen collection kit and collect a new sample.

Materials needed:

• Stool hat
• Specimen container
• Wooden sticks to transfer stool
• Gloves
• Biohazard bag
• Occult Blood Collection Vial, if Occult Blood test is ordered
• These supplies can be obtained from your provider’s office or an outpatient lab location.

How to Collect the Sample:

1. Have the child pee first to empty their bladder.
2. If your child wears a diaper, line the back of the diaper with plastic wrap to catch the stool.
3. If your child is toilet-trained, lift the toilet seat and place the hat-shaped container on the toilet rim. Then put the seat back down.
4. Have the child sit on the toilet and poop into the hat.
5. Use the sticks provided to move some of the stool into the specimen container from the kit. Discard the sticks; do not leave in container.
6. If Occult Blood testing is ordered:Unscrew the purple cap on the Occult Blood Collection Vial. Do not remove the lid covering the dropper on the top of the lid. Do not pour out the liquid.
   Poke the spiral applicator into stool 6 times at different sites. Use only enough fecal material to cover the tip of the applicator. Do not clump, scoop, or fill the tube.
   Screw the applicator back into the tube and secure tightly.
7. Close the lid tightly on the stool specimen container until it clicks.
8. Use the label(s) provided by your provider or write the child’s name and date of birth on the container(s). Also include date and time of collection (include AM or PM). Make sure the occult blood collection vial is labeled as well as the primary stool container.
9. Wash your hands well.
10. Place the container(s) in the biohazard bag.
11. Take the container to the lab within 1-2 hours and keep it cold. If collected in the evening, please take to the outpatient lab the following morning. Keep it in the refrigerator or on ice to keep it cold.
12. At the lab, staff will check you in, give you a test label, and confirm the child’s name and birth date. If any questions please contact the lab. (Akron Outpatient Lab 330-543-8573 or Mahoning Valley Lab 330-746-9623).