Patient Instructions

1. You may go to any of these sites to get your labs drawn. Appointments are highly recommended to minimize wait time. (Lunch may vary +/- 30 mins from posted time; Labs open through lunch will close if short staffed)
2. All sites take walk-ins all day, EXCEPT the two identified as "Walk-ins PM only" (afternoon). If you are going to walk-in, bring your paper orders with you. 
3. If the clinic tells you they do not take walk-ins, ask to speak with a supervisor.  
4. Check-in at the front desk when you arrive to your appointment.
5. Call the BHS main lab at 210-804-6030 ONLY if you have issues scheduling bloodwork or you are being turned away as a walk-in.
6. If you have any questions regarding your orders call your clinic care team.
7. Fasting is nothing to eat/drink (except water) for 8- 12 hours.
8. If your labs are tested at the BHS Lab you will see the Lab Medical Director, Dr. Teresa Duran, on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). If some of your labs are sent to Quest or LabCorp, you will be billed separately from them.

Side Effects of Blood Draw

Most blood draws cause minimal side effects. However, it’s possible you could experience some of the following:

• bleeding
• bruising
• lightheadedness
• rash
• skin irritation from tape or adhesive from an applied bandage soreness

Most of these will subside with time. If you still experience bleeding from a puncture site, try holding pressure with a clean, dry gauze for at least five minutes. If the site continues to bleed and soak bandages, see a doctor.

You should also see a doctor if you experience a large blood bruise known as a hematoma at the puncture site. A large hematoma can block blood flow to the tissues. However, smaller (less than dime-sized) hematomas will often go away on their own with time.