Laboratory Services for Patients

The North Bay Regional Health Centre provides laboratory services for inpatients and registered outpatients.

Community Laboratories

Not all Laboratory tests are performed on-site at NBRHC. Certain outpatients who visit a registered clinic on-site at NBRHC may have their testing done at the hospital.  Outpatients with test requests NOT performed at the NBRHC are encouraged to utilize community laboratories.

Dynacare Medical Laboratory
Address: 111 Main Street West
Phone: 705-495-0460
Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 5:00pm & Friday 8:00am to 3:00pm (Closed daily 12:30 to 1:00pm)

LifeLabs
Address: 403-1221 Algonquin Avenue
Phone: 1-877-849-3637
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

View Collection Instruction Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prepare for the test?  Can I eat before the test?
In order for your physician to interpret certain test results accurately, you may be asked to fast (not eating any food or drinking any liquids for several hours or even overnight).  This is because the levels of many analytes become elevated in the bloodstream after eating and fluctuate depending on when you have eaten or the amount of food consumed.  When you fast these variations are eliminated.  In addition to fasting you may be asked abstain from caffeine or nicotine, physical activity or specific foods.

What should I take with me to the Outpatient Services Lab?
When visiting the Outpatient Lab, you should bring the following information with you:

  • a completed and signed test requisition form(s) from your healthcare provider requesting laboratory testing
  • your provincial health card; and
  • if requested by your healthcare provider, any specimens that you were required to collect at home.

I have been asked to collect a sample at home.  What procedure do I follow?
If you have been asked to collect a specimen at home, please refer to the Patient’s Instructions area of our website for complete collection instructions of stool, urine and other specimens for testing.

Note: if you do not require blood collection you must still register within the designated hours (Monday to Friday 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM) when dropping off specimens.

Why has my doctor ordered these lab tests?
Laboratory tests are ordered for many different reasons.  Perhaps because of a concern you have reported to your doctor, to check an existing condition or to monitor prescribed medication.  These are just a few of the reasons your doctor may order lab tests.

Do I have to pay for my laboratory tests?
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers most laboratory tests; however there are some specialized, non-routine tests that are not covered.  The North Bay Regional Health Centre is not funded for these tests therefore a billing policy has been implemented.

If my healthcare providers orders an uninsured test, do I have to have it done?
You do have the right to refuse to have the test done however we recommend that you make that decision in consultation with your healthcare provider.

Can the cost of my test be reimbursed by my supplemental health insurance?
Every insurance plan is different.  Contact your insurance provider to be sure.

How can I pay for my test?
At NBRHC we accept Cash, Cheque, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Debit and Money Order.  Payment is required before the test can be completed.

How long will my lab visit take?
We do our best to make sure that patient’s are served in a timely manner.  Patients are processed numerically, although some patients will be processed on a priority basis due to specialty clinic requirements.

Will the blood collection process hurt?
Our Outpatient Lab staff is professionally trained to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the collection process.  If you have any concerns please address them with the laboratory technician.

Are my laboratory test results confidential?
Yes.  All medical information is highly confidential.  The NBRHC follows strict guidelines to ensure patient confidentiality. The results of your laboratory tests are only given to the submitting doctor and if your doctor asks, we will forward the results to another doctor.

When and how will my doctor get the results?
While some results are available in 24 hours, others require more complex testing or may have to be sent to a reference laboratory.  These results can take several days to weeks to report.

The timing by which your doctor receives results depends on the tests ordered and as well how your doctor receives reports from NBRHC.

Will you tell me my results?
In accordance with privacy legislation, results are released to the ordering healthcare provider.  We can only provide results directly to you if your healthcare provider has authorized their release.

Which tests are performed at NBRHC?

List of tests performed on-site

OHIP Uninsured Tests:

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers the cost of most laboratory tests, however there are some specialized, non-routine tests that are deemed uninsured. Payment for these tests is required at Registration before the collection will be taken. View the list of uninsured tests.

North Bay

50 College Drive,
P.O. Box 2500
North Bay, ON
P1B 5A4
Tel: 705-474-8600

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Sudbury

680 Kirkwood Drive,
Sudbury, ON
P3E 1X3
Tel: 705-675-9193
Fax: 705-675-6817

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Floor Plans

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Visitors Guide

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