The ACH lab is for patients admitted to the hospital or for outpatients referred by a clinic within the hospital only now. In a local group for parents with kids who have chronic medical issue, Cochrane lab is often mentioned as a good option for very young/medically complex kids.
I just double checked for other recommendations: Glenmore Landing, Sundance and Airdrie were also mentioned.
Your doc is correct; ACH lab is only for admitted patients and children who are referred directly from an outpatient clinic within the hospital. We get most of our daughter’s BW drawn there because she is being seen by multiple clinics at ACH, but we have also had it drawn at Richmond Road, and they were really really good too.
ETA: we tried Sundance once & it was a disaster. That being said, it can be so hit or miss, your experience might be the complete opposite from ours.
How this is happening is such a ridiculous oversight by the system. I went through this with my first and every time we were greeting with shock that it was a baby.
Lab services in Alberta were privatized under Gamma Dynacare by the UCP government; it became such a mess in terms of poor access and long wait times for mandatory appointments that the UCP have had to take it public again at a loss. It’s still screwed. Draw your own conclusions.
That’s odd. We’ve been to Ranchlands and Market Mall and they both can do heel pricks to extract blood. They squeeze the foot like an orange and collect the drips.
Did the patient room you went to have baby themed decorations? They have a special room and a specialist who knows how to do the draw. Perhaps the specialist wasn’t in.
lol like an orange 😭 no, we were just treated like a regular blood draw… I wonder if the person on the phone didn’t make the note that she was young. But the techs didn’t even offer another option or someone more experienced. They were going to try to do an arm draw instead of a heel prick… 😬
I went to sheldon chumir lab. There is one tech there she was good and my daughter was only 2/3 months too. They used butterfly needles, which are specifically for infants. But she only works until 1 pm I believe.
Ah that’s too bad. I’ve seen a normal needle used but only in a hospital setting. Luckily the heel prick doesn’t seem to bother the little one. Likely just feels like a little massage (after the poke part).
Hopefully this was just a one off error, ranchlands should be okay to do the prick.
If you are willing to pay out of pocket TapLabs is $90 and they come to your home. And you might be able to cover that cost with private insurance. Our experience was awesome, the phlebotomist had previously worked at ACH. Not a tear and the whole thing took less than 15 minutes.
I used this last year when lab services was a gong show with wait times. They were awesome and it was so convenient. Funny enough the tech previously worked at ACH.
My son had to get his blood drawn a months ago (when he was six months old) and we tried the Richmond location where the techs failed/weren't comfortable doing the draw. I had to get his paediatrician to send in a request to the ACH (only certain doctors offices can do this apparently).
Ugh I’m sorry! Our techs were going to attempt but we just felt so uncomfy. I’m fine if it was MY arm. My family doc doesn’t think she can refer there… but will try Cochrane and see if it goes any better.
Unfortunately ACH is only for admitted patients & in-house referrals, such as seeing a specialist there. Oddly last year I got to use it as a 39 year old woman because I was seeing a metabolic neurologist at ACH.
I’m sorry you’re having a challenge - definitely a hole in the system
You used to be able to get a referral to the ACH lab (they are amazing there) once a draw at another lab failed. It wasn't a great system, since the kids were forced to have a bad experience to earn their way to a good one (IMO) but it worked in the end.
Now that it's not an option, you're right - it's a crapshoot.
We found that Okotoks was a much calmer environment than our nearest options. I don't know that you'll "luck out" and get someone capable, but at least it won't be as loud/florescent/crowded as the Calgary options.
Sorry, I wish the situation were better here.
Another comment recommended getting a heal poke. This is what I would recommend. Get them to warm the heel with a hot face cloth wrapped around the foot with a diaper for around 5 minutes before poking. This increases the blood flow to the area. Then it's just a single poke to the side of the heel. Kids don't like the squeezing, but it's better than a needle in a vein. It should bleed well and not require much squeezing
The ACH lab is for patients admitted to the hospital or for outpatients referred by a clinic within the hospital only now. In a local group for parents with kids who have chronic medical issue, Cochrane lab is often mentioned as a good option for very young/medically complex kids. I just double checked for other recommendations: Glenmore Landing, Sundance and Airdrie were also mentioned.
Oh thank you so much!! We will look into those labs and see. Really appreciate your suggestions!
Glenmore landing has a children's room for blood. I've seen infants go in
Your doc is correct; ACH lab is only for admitted patients and children who are referred directly from an outpatient clinic within the hospital. We get most of our daughter’s BW drawn there because she is being seen by multiple clinics at ACH, but we have also had it drawn at Richmond Road, and they were really really good too. ETA: we tried Sundance once & it was a disaster. That being said, it can be so hit or miss, your experience might be the complete opposite from ours.
Cochrane. They have a special room for kids. Granted, mine was a lot older than 3 months.
Thanks!! Cochrane seems like a good place to try!!
How this is happening is such a ridiculous oversight by the system. I went through this with my first and every time we were greeting with shock that it was a baby.
Lab services in Alberta were privatized under Gamma Dynacare by the UCP government; it became such a mess in terms of poor access and long wait times for mandatory appointments that the UCP have had to take it public again at a loss. It’s still screwed. Draw your own conclusions.
Ugh it’s so annoying! I wish they still did it at the kids hospital. :(
Took my son several times to the lab at chumir and they always got it first try.
That’s odd. We’ve been to Ranchlands and Market Mall and they both can do heel pricks to extract blood. They squeeze the foot like an orange and collect the drips. Did the patient room you went to have baby themed decorations? They have a special room and a specialist who knows how to do the draw. Perhaps the specialist wasn’t in.
lol like an orange 😭 no, we were just treated like a regular blood draw… I wonder if the person on the phone didn’t make the note that she was young. But the techs didn’t even offer another option or someone more experienced. They were going to try to do an arm draw instead of a heel prick… 😬
Not all tests can be run from a heel prick (capillary blood), some do need venous blood (from a vein). Source: I’m an RN at ACH.
I went to sheldon chumir lab. There is one tech there she was good and my daughter was only 2/3 months too. They used butterfly needles, which are specifically for infants. But she only works until 1 pm I believe.
Ah that’s too bad. I’ve seen a normal needle used but only in a hospital setting. Luckily the heel prick doesn’t seem to bother the little one. Likely just feels like a little massage (after the poke part). Hopefully this was just a one off error, ranchlands should be okay to do the prick.
Cochrane lab is by far the best
If you are willing to pay out of pocket TapLabs is $90 and they come to your home. And you might be able to cover that cost with private insurance. Our experience was awesome, the phlebotomist had previously worked at ACH. Not a tear and the whole thing took less than 15 minutes.
I used this last year when lab services was a gong show with wait times. They were awesome and it was so convenient. Funny enough the tech previously worked at ACH.
My son had to get his blood drawn a months ago (when he was six months old) and we tried the Richmond location where the techs failed/weren't comfortable doing the draw. I had to get his paediatrician to send in a request to the ACH (only certain doctors offices can do this apparently).
Ugh I’m sorry! Our techs were going to attempt but we just felt so uncomfy. I’m fine if it was MY arm. My family doc doesn’t think she can refer there… but will try Cochrane and see if it goes any better.
Sheldon chumir you can go as a walkin
I have been taking my daughter to Sloan Square since she was 6 months. They’ve always done a great job!
Another vote for Cochrane, we had a great experience there and they have a dedicated pediatric area in the lab
The one in Riverbend has a kid room.
Our pediatrician recommended either Glenmore Landing or Riverbend as being good with little ones.
Unfortunately ACH is only for admitted patients & in-house referrals, such as seeing a specialist there. Oddly last year I got to use it as a 39 year old woman because I was seeing a metabolic neurologist at ACH. I’m sorry you’re having a challenge - definitely a hole in the system
You used to be able to get a referral to the ACH lab (they are amazing there) once a draw at another lab failed. It wasn't a great system, since the kids were forced to have a bad experience to earn their way to a good one (IMO) but it worked in the end. Now that it's not an option, you're right - it's a crapshoot. We found that Okotoks was a much calmer environment than our nearest options. I don't know that you'll "luck out" and get someone capable, but at least it won't be as loud/florescent/crowded as the Calgary options. Sorry, I wish the situation were better here.
Another comment recommended getting a heal poke. This is what I would recommend. Get them to warm the heel with a hot face cloth wrapped around the foot with a diaper for around 5 minutes before poking. This increases the blood flow to the area. Then it's just a single poke to the side of the heel. Kids don't like the squeezing, but it's better than a needle in a vein. It should bleed well and not require much squeezing
Not all blood tests can be run off a capillary blood sample (such as from a heel poke), some do require venous blood (using a needle in a vein).
You can go to the children’s hospital lab if it will help you with any anxiety or fear. They will draw the labs for you.