Mailing sputum issues

fdixon I live in Ks and my pulmonologist is with Mayo's in Rochester. I take my samples to a local lab -- and I have them fax me the results (usually the next day)…… and then I fax the results to my Dr at Mayo's. Doctor is fine with this and it's a fairly quick turn around. I'm just saying -- for what it's worth. I can see the results myself immediately and I can be sure Mayo's gets it immediately.

@fdixon63 Faye, I am lucky to live near my doc, but when in TX and they need a specimen in MN, I never try sending it - all types of shipping are too unreliable. I researched the closest lab where they do the ordered tests, and drop the specimen off myself, with a copy of the test order (even if the office says they sent the order, attaching a copy means there can be no delays in locating it.) They send results to me and my docs back in MN. In your situation, I would tell the doc - "Here is what happens when we ship it. From now on, we're doing it locally and they can send you and me the results." As many of us have learned when dealing with health issues, you just have to be your own advocate. Sometimes this means insisting on doing things a different way...
Sue

Thanks for the input. I fell there are labs capable of doing this testing that I can take it to. Not sure if it's a control thing for liability reason. Maybe they are afraid of being sued--not really sure. I've got a feeling this is not over. When I speak directly with my doc I'll bring it up again. I actually called a LabCorp office 30 mins away to check on their ability to test for AFB, bacteria, etc but no one answered or called back. I'm hoping to get to speak with someone at a couple of labs and then I can discuss it with the doctor. To me it seems what gets the fastest testing done is what we should do. They don't know to start any treatment unless they get test results. Take care.

You're right Sue.
It can be a fine line in dealing with the doctors and if I was not doing as well as I am, it would be much different. The anxiety of waiting on test results is exhausting. I do love my doctor and he took over my care from another pulmonary doc who was failing me so I'm very grateful. I've not given up however till both he and I are satisfied about this matter. We fight on.
Blessings to you and all of us. Faye

@fdixon63 I have had the same problem, although the hospital is at least 25 miles away, and the closest clinic is 5 miles. Truth is, the hospital clinic is not used much by the doctors who work there. Each of them has their own clinic (where they make their biggest profits) within a couple hundred miles. Anything above a blood type, they send to their own clinic. And if that clinic does not have the training, experience or equipment to handle the issue, they just make up something. In the last year, according to one of these labs, my urinary protein has gone from 3.0 grams per day to 0.1 grams. And my serum FreeLiteChain has gone from 3.5 to 0.2. I told the doc where I wanted to send my more specific labs, and my lab choice never got the specimen. I checked, and complained. about a week later I got a report from the doc's lab. They had taken one of their own report forms, whited out their own name and inserted the name of my choice lab. Frankly, in the rural American West, if the lab used is not ARUP or Quant, or certified by The Binding Site, I do not accept the report.

@oldkarl That is just appalling document 'forgery' Wow.! A real eye-opener. Kate

To All: Has anyone had experience with nebulized Perforomist or nebulized Yuperli? I saw a new pulmonologist in Tulsa yesterday and she wants to add this to albuterol, saline and toby. Twice daily. I'll never get away from that nebulizer, it seems. I'm willing to do anything to help my situation but am wondering if any of you have had luck with either of the above???? Thank you much

@oldkarl Just Wow! I think the whole world has gone crazy. I am so grateful to have access to some awesome, reliable clinics. The only time I had an issue, it was partly my fault - I delivered my specimen to them to late in the day for their transport to the central lab, had to redo the specimen.
On a positive note, I just got off the phone with my insurer because I have docs who are only doing video appts right now, something not covered by my plan. They have made an exception - open-ended - for seeing their preferred providers, and are covering phone and video consults until all providers are back in clinic. Quite a relief for me.
And on a curious note, it is interesting to see who is in office and who is not. It was odd "seeing" my pulmo by phone - for both of us. And I'll be seeing pain management the same way, but ortho and primary are in person. On the other hand, my husband's primary is video, but rheumatology is seeing him in clinic...
My grandson wants to "talk" to his doc, not go to see her, this week because he thinks he will get immunizations and/or lab work.
By the way, I posted extensively earlier - we have been in many medical facilities this past month, and felt safe everywhere based on precautions being taken. My primary says there has not been one covid-positive staffer in her facility of about 100 workers as of last week, a testament to their care and caution.
Sue

Are you speaking of sputum tests? I'm curious about the turn around time. The next day???