How to Prepare

If fasting is required, we recommend that it occurs overnight, as it is usually required for 10-12 hours prior to your test. This means that you do not eat or drink anything apart from water following your dinner.

It is really important to keep drinking water to ensure that you do not become dehydrated. You should usually continue to take your regular medication, but always check this with your doctor.

A fasting information sheet is available for patients as a PDF. You may also wish to read an information sheet about the test you need on our tests and procedures page.

Pathology samples are taken within IMVS patient collection centres by friendly, professional staff highly trained in all patient sample collection techniques and patient care. IMVS collection staff have special expertise in taking blood from children.

There are over 55 IMVS patient collection centres, conveniently located throughout metropolitan and regional South Australia. Simply enter your postcode or suburb in the field on our patient collection centres page, and the closest centres will be listed for you.

Generally you won't need to make an appointment, unless you require a special test. Before 10:00am is usually the busiest time for patient collection centres, so you may wish to attend the centre later in the day to avoid waiting.

Regardless of the time of day, most patients do not need to wait more than 15 minutes before being attended to by one of our pathology collectors. On occasion, longer waits may be experienced due to exceptional circumstances.

The IMVS offers a domiciliary specimen collection service for patients who, due to the nature of their medical condition and/or immobility, are unable to attend a patient collection centre or regional laboratory.

Our domiciliary service is available Monday to Friday during business hours. The IMVS caters for as many patients as possible, however this service is heavily subscribed and therefore needs to be requested by your medical practitioner. As much notice as possible is appreciated to assist us in providing the service and meeting your expectations.

To arrange a visit, please phone 08 8222 3000 (or 1800 188 077 for country callers).

We have specialist staff trained and highly experienced in blood collection from children in our patient collection centres.

The reaction of your child when having a blood test is very much dependent upon the information provided by you prior to the test. Let them know that it will feel like a little mosquito bite and will be over quickly.

It can be just as distressing for parents to see their child have a blood test as it is for the child. The best technique for parents to use to make their child comfortable is distraction, such as with a toy.

All of our specimen collection staff undertake comprehensive training in the best techniques to take your blood sample in the most painless way.

If you feel anxious about having your blood collected, tell the collection staff member, as they can assist you better. You may wish to use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.

You may also find it easier if you look away, don’t tense up or hold your breath, and tell the pathology collector about something that will keep your mind off the test. If you feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate to tell your collector.

If you feel sick or faint before or during a blood test, tell the collection staff member so that they can assist you. If you feel faint or sick, you may wish to lie down for the collection, and you should discuss this before the blood is being taken.

If you have previously fainted during a blood test, please advise the collection staff member prior to commencing the test.

Our collectors will advise you of how the sample will be taken before proceeding, and if necessary, provide you with written instructions to assist your understanding. We also provide information sheets for the most frequently conducted tests.

Samples collected at home, such as 24 hour urine, are to be taken to any IMVS patient collection centre.

After a blood test, it is advisable to leave the gauze swab and tape on for at least an hour, and not carry a handbag or lift any heavy items with the arm from which the blood was taken, or perform any strenuous exercise, for the 24 hours following the test.

Should you require a test that requires further care after being conducted, your doctor will advise of this beforehand, and our friendly patient collection centre staff will also let you know of any precautions that may be required after the test.