Laboratory testing in Minnesota and western Wisconsin

Whether you need routine diagnostic testing or more specialized services, HealthPartners and Park Nicollet provide convenient, timely and accurate laboratory tests.

Our expert laboratory services team includes medical laboratory scientists and technicians, phlebotomists and laboratory assistants, pathologists and pathology assistants, histology technicians, cytotechnologists, couriers, and more. Using the latest procedures and technology, we work together to offer complete laboratory testing and analysis. That way, you and your doctor can get answers, reach a diagnosis or decide on treatment.

With dozens of collection locations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, a HealthPartners or Park Nicollet medical laboratory is probably closer than you think. Select locations offer same-day access, extended hours, and Saturday and Sunday availability.

No matter which lab test location you visit, you’ll find professional staff and attentive service. Our coordinated team is dedicated to helping you and your doctor better understand your health.

Our laboratory tests need an order from a doctor. If you have an order for lab work, you can get started by scheduling an appointment online or calling a location near you.

We offer many different routine and specialty lab tests to help you get the right health care and treatment. Laboratory tests we perform include:

• Hematology

  – These tests include several different blood tests, like a white blood cell count, a comprehensive metabolic panel, a lipid panel or a hemoglobin test.

• Coagulation

  – These tests assist in the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding and clotting disorders.

• Urinalysis

  – Understanding different components of your urine can help us screen for and manage many different diseases and conditions.

• Immunology testing

  – This kind of testing helps with the assessment of autoimmune diseases.

• Microbiology

  – We use microbiology testing to determine if you have an infection, what’s causing it and which medicine or treatment would help you feel better.

• Infectious disease testing

  – Among many others, common infectious disease tests include looking for COVID-19 and testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs).

• Histopathology

  – These tests involve biopsies and tissue samples to help determine whether you have cancer or a certain kind of infection.

• Cytopathology

  – Pap tests are a common example of cytopathology, where we look closely at your cells to check for signs of disease.

• Chemical testing

  – Some examples of chemical testing include hormone tests, thyroid tests, and getting your blood sugar levels to help manage conditions like diabetes.

• Toxicology

  – Including work screenings, toxicology tests measure drug or alcohol levels within the body.

• Genetic testing

  – Genetic tests involve looking at tissue samples to analyze your DNA.

• Molecular testing

  – These tests assist us in diagnosing illnesses and determining which treatments or therapies may be right for you.

• Semen analysis

  – Semen analysis helps measure fertility levels when you’re trying to start a family or after you’ve had a vasectomy.
  

When you hear your doctor talk about “lab work,” they’re referring to medical tests that help them get more information about your health. Laboratory tests are ordered for many different reasons, including diagnostic testing, prevention, disease management and treatment.

A typical lab test involves collecting a sample of your blood, urine, cells or tissue and sending it to a medical laboratory. At the laboratory, a medical professional will analyze your sample thoroughly. With the results, your doctor can determine what kind of health care or treatment you need.

Some sample collections are performed in a clinic or hospital with the help of your care team or a trained laboratory technician. Other collections you’ll complete at home before you return your sample to us. We’ll guide you through the entire process with detailed instructions. You’ll know just what to expect and what to do.

For most lab tests, you and your doctor will get results in a few hours or a few days. Your doctor will then interpret your lab results and work with you on next steps in your care.