When you choose Tenet Health Central Coast, our doctors work hard to provide the best outcome possible for you. Part of developing your treatment is having an accurate diagnosis of your condition. For this, our doctors rely on the clinical laboratory to use advanced technology and instrumentation to perform vital testing, such as blood tests and urine analysis. With accreditation from The Joint Commission and licensed by the state of California, our laboratory maintains strict standards of excellence.

Our certified phlebotomists and licensed clinical laboratory scientists perform more than 400,000 tests per year. To serve the needs of our community, the main hospital laboratories are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer a laboratory draw station in Cambria.

Cambria Draw Station
2150 Main Street, Cambria CA
(805) 927-0266

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fasting?

Fasting requires that you do NOT eat or drink anything 12–14 hours before your lab test. However, contrary to popular belief, water consumption is allowed and encouraged. All medications should be taken as usual.

Do I need to fast?

Certain tests (such as glucose or a cholesterol panel) require fasting. Please consult with your doctor before visiting the laboratory.

Do I need an appointment?

Appointments for routine lab work are not necessary. Patients are seen on a first come, first-served basis.

Why do I need to register each time I visit the laboratory?

Even though you may have registered before, we must ask you to register each time to avoid any billing errors caused by inaccurate or out of date information.

What is Quick Draw?

For patients with standing orders for frequent lab tests, we’ve created a program to help make your experience more efficient. Quick Draw requires an initial registration, and then allows you to bypass the process on all subsequent visits until your orders expire.

Will my insurance cover my laboratory tests?

Tenet Health Central Coast accepts most insurance plans. However, because coverage varies from plan to plan, we recommend you contact your insurance provider for complete details.

Can I find out what my lab tests will cost before they are performed?

Yes. Many of our patients are enrolled in high-deductible health care plans and are concerned about cost. Please ask us to estimate your costs before any services are performed. You will be quoted our “regular fees” and our discounted “self-pay fees.”

When will my doctor get my test results?

Most routine tests are performed in our laboratory and will be completed and reported to your physician within 24–48 hours.

Can I get a copy of my results?

A copy of your results can be obtained through the medical records department or our online patient portal.