Laboratory testing

Laboratory testing gives you and your doctor the information you need to make the best choices for your health. Rely on Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula for laboratory services that meet the highest standards for professionalism and deliver prompt, accurate results.

Certified, accredited labs

Expect our team to put quality and your safety first, always. All of our labs are certified by national organizations, including:

• Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
• College of American Pathologists Accreditation Program (CAP)
• The Joint Commission

Board-certified pathologists

A pathologist is a scientist who analyzes samples of body fluids like blood, urine, and tissue using a microscope, tests, and other tools. The doctor who orders your test can communicate with our pathologists to understand and interpret the results.

At Community Hospital, you benefit from a level of professionalism and expertise that sets us apart on the Monterey Peninsula. All of our pathologists:

• Hold board certification, which means they provide superior services and receive ongoing training on best practices
• Have additional, advanced training in at least one subspecialty in their field

Well-rounded team

Our pathologists are part of a multidisciplinary team that also includes:

• Blood banking specialists
• Clinical laboratory scientists
• Histologist (tissue specialist)
• Medical laboratory technicians
• Phlebotomy (blood-drawing) technicians

Why do I need a lab test?

You may have a lab test to:

• Check your overall health
• Screen for, diagnose, or rule out a health condition
• Monitor how well a treatment is working

Your test may take place:

• In an outpatient lab, which means you visit the lab for testing and go home afterward
• During inpatient (overnight) care at Community Hospital
• In the Emergency department

Types of tests

The test you receive depends on what you and your doctor want to learn about your health. Rely on Montage Health to process about 500 different types of tests in-house and coordinate testing with outside labs for more than 2,000 other types. Common tests we quickly and accurately analyze onsite include:

• Complete blood count (CBC) tests
• Diabetes screening and monitoring
• Metabolic and lipid panels
• Microbiology (culture) tests – Look for bacteria, other germs, or the antibodies your immune system makes to fight an infection
• Pregnancy-related screening tests
• Stool analysis and fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
• Urinalysis

How to prepare

How you get ready depends on which test you’re having and other factors. Ask your doctor how to prepare for your test. To make sure your results are accurate, you may have:

• Diet instructions that tell you to avoid certain foods or drinks. Many tests require overnight fasting (not eating)
• Medication instructions. For example, you may need to stop taking certain supplements that can interfere with test results
• Other directions

Your outpatient test

Learn what to expect during your outpatient (same-day) visit to one of our labs for testing services.

How much will my test cost?

If you have insurance, ask your insurance provider if you have a co-pay or need to cover part or all of the cost of your test. Medicare limits how often it covers certain tests (such as once a year).

Contact our finance department if you don’t have insurance or have questions about estimating your bill.

Your lab test results

Read helpful information about when and how to expect the results of your test. Talk to your doctor for help to understand what they may mean.

Follow-up care

Based on your test results, you may need follow-up testing to diagnose or rule out a health condition or confirm the accuracy of your test. Your test results can help you and your doctor develop a treatment plan, if needed.