How to Prepare for Laboratory Tests

How to prepare for laboratory tests

How do I hand in a urine sample? Can I have blood taken in the afternoon? When do I need to fast? We have collected all the practical information to answer your questions: a short guide to help you organise your prevention pathway.

Laboratory tests are not just numbers or clinical reports: they are a valuable tool to know ourselves better and take care of our health consciously. However, between prescriptions, how to hand in samples and opening hours, it is normal to have a few doubts. How do I hand in a urine sample correctly? Can I have blood taken in the afternoon? When do I need to fast?

To answer these and other questions, the CalatafimiMed Analysis Laboratory in Palermo has gathered in a guide all the practical information to make it easier to use our services and to support you in your prevention and health pathway.
We hope you find it useful. Happy reading.

📄 How long prescriptions are valid

You may come across an old prescription and wonder whether it is still valid.
Prescriptions from the Italian National Health Service (the so-called “red prescriptions”) currently do not expire, so they can be used even after several months.
White or paperless prescriptions, on the other hand, are valid for 180 days from the date of issue. In any case, always check the date and, if in doubt, ask your doctor or the laboratory staff.

💧 How to hand in a urine sample

For reliable results, collecting the sample also requires care.
The sample should be collected in a sterile, well-sealed container, preferably a vial, using the first urine of the morning.
For a urine culture, use the special urobox (a transparent container with a screw cap).
Before collecting, wash your hands thoroughly and discard the first part of the stream, collecting only the middle part: a small precaution that avoids contamination.
If you cannot hand in the sample straight away, keep it in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.

⏰ Blood tests in the afternoon too

We know that not everyone can come to the laboratory in the morning.
That is why at CalatafimiMed you can book blood tests in the afternoon too, for tests that do not require fasting.
Some tests, such as blood sugar or cholesterol, must be done in the morning on an empty stomach to ensure maximum accuracy.
If in doubt, please contact our reception: we will be happy to help you choose the best time for your test.

🩸 How to prepare for a blood test

Here are a few useful tips to prepare for your blood test correctly:

fast for about 8 hours, drinking only water;
avoid intense physical activity, smoking and alcohol in the hours before;
never stop any treatment you are taking unless your doctor tells you to;
if a medicine level needs to be measured, take the medicine after the blood test;
bring your identity document, health card and prescription;
for culture tests, it is better not to be on antibiotics, unless your doctor says otherwise.

📍 Opening hours and centres

To make things easier for you, here are the opening hours and access arrangements of our laboratory.

CalatafimiMed Analysis Laboratory – Palermo, with centres in Corso Calatafimi 390 and Via Francesco Paolo di Blasi 8.

Blood tests: Mon–Fri 7:00–10:30, Sat 7:00–10:00
Report collection: Mon–Fri 10:30–13:00 and Sat 10:00–11:00. At the Corso Calatafimi 390 centre also from 14:00 to 18:00

Reports can be downloaded online through the link you receive by email or in the dedicated area of our website calatafimimed.it, entering your tax code, password and PIN given to you at reception.
A service designed to give you safe, fast results that are always available.
All reports can also be viewed in your Electronic Health Record (Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico).

❤️ In short

Taking care of your health also means knowing the timings, procedures and small precautions that make tests simpler and more reliable.
Following a few basic rules gives precise results and saves valuable time.

If you have any other questions about our services or specific tests, the CalatafimiMed team is always here to help.

Best wishes from the CalatafimiMed Laboratory – Palermo.
Your health is our priority.