Client Service
Our Client Services Department is the resource center for Lakeland Laboratory. Representatives are available from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. The client service staff is available to address any questions regarding:
- Accreditations/CLIA Certificates
- Laboratory services
- Patient preparation
- Phlebotomy
- Phoned test orders
- Pricing information
- Specimen collection
- Specimen criteria
- Test results
- Test status
- Test and supply ordering
- Forensic Drug and Alcohol Program
- Problem Solving
Call 269-983-8311 or 800-513-9193 to speak with a client services representative.
Courier Services
Service Oriented Courier Staff:
Lakeland Laboratory has courier service available to you for specimen transport, test result delivery, and supply delivery. Our couriers service physician offices, Lakeland outpatient service centers, and nursing homes. Transport vehicles utilize storage containers to ensure specimen integrity during transport to the testing facility. Lakeland Laboratory courier staff have undergone training sessions in courier procedures including safe transport, specimen preservation, customer service and specimen tracking procedures.
To make inquiries, order supplies, or arrange courier service to your facility, contact Lakeland Laboratory, Client Services: 983-8311 or (800) 513-9193.
Nursing Home / Assisted Living
Lakeland Laboratory provides on site phlebotomy services for area nursing homes, long term care and assisted living facilities in Berrien County. Additional services available to these clients include Infection Control and Nutrition/Hydration Reports, and staff inservices. Contact the Outreach Specialist for more detailed information.
Outreach Services
Lakeland Laboratory offers outreach services to physician offices, clinics, and extended care facilities. In addition to the courier services previously described, physicians participating in our Outreach Program are provided with all necessary laboratory supplies to draw and submit specimens, a Specimen Collection Manual, test requisitions, specimen transport bags, and inservices for appropriate Laboratory Medicine topics as requested. Additional supplies may be obtained by completing the Lakeland Laboratory Supply Order Form, and sending it to our Client Service Department by FAX or courier. There is no charge for these supplies.
Home Phlebotomy Services
Lakeland Laboratory offers home phlebotomy services for physicians who certify that the patient meets the definition established by Medicare for homebound status. Generally speaking, a patient is considered homebound if he/she has a condition due to an illness or injury that restricts his/her ability to leave his/her place of residence except with the aid of supportive devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs and walkers, the use of special transportation, or the assistance of another person, or leaving home is medically contraindicated.
Services are provided Monday through Friday, except holidays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Requests must be made 24 hours in advance. The service area includes a portion of Berrien County. The patient is charged a house call fee in addition to the test charge.
Specimen Submission
Refer to the Laboratory Test Catalog for specific collection instructions. Tests are listed along with specimen requirements.Checking before collection will help to ensure that you have the proper collection supplies on site, and that there are no special patient instructions prior to specimen collection. All specimens submitted for testing must be accompanied by a Lakeland Laboratory Outpatient Service Requisition. If you have any questions after referring to the Specimen Collection Manual, feel free to contact our Client Service Department: 983-8311 or (800) 513-9193. Specimens incorrectly collected (i.e. wrong tube, quantity insufficient, or improperly mixed) may be cause for rejection of the specimen (See"Rejection policy") Specimens must be handled appropriately, utilizing appropriate biohazard standards. Lakeland supplies each client with specimen transport bags, which are clearly marked as "Biohazard". An additional pocket on the bag allows for paperwork to accompany the specimen while remaining uncontaminated.
Repeat Testing
Repeat testing is performed at no charge when the physician has any concerns regarding the validity of a test result.