On-Premises Diagnostic Testing

At In & Out Urgent Care Clinic, we offer on-premises diagnostic testing, meaning we can perform various lab tests within our facility, reducing the need for external laboratories. This approach allows for swifter result turnaround times, accelerating diagnoses and treatment strategies. Our in-house lab is equipped to conduct an array of common lab tests, such as blood and urine tests, rapid strep tests, and more, based on our clinic’s capabilities and focus.

Blood Examination: Blood testing is a crucial part of diagnosing a multitude of health conditions. It can detect diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, anemia, and even coronavirus. By examining blood, we can also monitor the functionality of essential organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, and thyroid. These tests typically involve extracting blood from a vein, usually situated on the inner side of the elbow or the back of the hand.

Urinalysis: Urinalysis, or urine tests, are crucial in identifying and evaluating numerous disorders such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes. They involve assessing the urine’s color, clarity, and concentration, microscopically examining it for bacteria and other microorganisms, and conducting chemical analyses to check for different substances.

Radiography: Radiography, or X-rays, are a form of imaging test utilizing minor radiation amounts to create images of the body’s internal structures. They are commonly used to diagnose fractures, infections, blockages, tumors, lung conditions like pneumonia, and dental problems. The principle behind X-rays is the differential absorption of radiation by various tissues in the body, enabling image creation.

Electrocardiograms (EKGs): An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that measures the heart’s electrical activity. It aids in identifying heart disease, arrhythmias, and other heart-related conditions. During the EKG procedure, electrodes are attached to the patient’s chest and limbs, which detect the minor electrical changes on the skin resulting from the heart muscle’s electrophysiologic patterns during each heartbeat.

Sonography: Sonography, also known as ultrasounds, are imaging tests that employ high-frequency sound waves to capture images of the body’s internal structures. Although commonly used to track fetal development during pregnancy, sonograms can also examine organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, and gallbladder. Because sonography is non-invasive and does not use radiation, it’s suitable for a broad range of applications.

Additional Diagnostic Tests

Strep Throat Diagnosis: To diagnose strep throat, an infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, we perform strep throat tests. The most frequent type is the rapid antigen test, which involves swabbing the throat and testing the sample for antigens linked to the bacteria. This test can provide results quickly, often within minutes. If this test returns negative but strep throat is still suspected, we may conduct a throat culture, which involves sending the throat swab to a lab to monitor bacterial growth over a couple of days.

Lyme Disease Diagnosis: To diagnose Lyme disease, an infection from Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted through tick bites, we use Lyme disease tests. The most frequently used tests are ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), which detects antibodies to the bacteria, and Western blot, typically used to confirm a positive ELISA test. These tests offer the most accurate results a few weeks after a suspected infection, as the body needs time to produce antibodies.

Mononucleosis Diagnosis: Mononucleosis, also known as “mono,” is generally caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The most common test for mono is the monospot test, which searches for antibodies reacting to the virus. This test can typically detect antibodies between two to nine weeks after infection. If the monospot test is negative but mono is still suspected, a more specific antibody test may be administered.

HIV Diagnosis: HIV tests are used to identify the presence of HIV, the virus causing AIDS. Several types of HIV tests are available, including antigen/antibody tests, antibody-only tests, and nucleic acid tests (NATs). Antigen/antibody tests detect both HIV antibodies and antigens, specifically the p24 antigen, which is present in the early stages of HIV infection. Antibody-only tests check for HIV antibodies and may need a longer period post-exposure to accurately detect the virus. While more expensive, NATs can identify the virus in the blood between 1 to 4 weeks after infection.

COVID-19 Diagnosis: COVID-19 tests help identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 disease. There are two primary types of tests: viral tests and antibody tests. Viral tests, including the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test and the rapid antigen test, detect the presence of the virus in respiratory samples, indicating a current infection. Antibody tests detect antibodies the body produces in response to the virus, indicating a past infection. It’s essential to note that antibody tests are not used to diagnose an active infection, as it takes time for antibodies to develop.

Your Visit at a Glance

Upon your arrival at Metairie’s In & Out Urgent Care Clinic, a team member will assist with your check-in.

As soon as you enter In & Out Urgent Care Clinic in Metairie, a team member will greet you warmly and guide you through the check-in process. This includes verifying your personal information, health insurance details, and your visit’s purpose. We ensure we have all the necessary information to provide the best possible care.

Next, a medical provider will meet with you to discuss your symptoms and order any necessary lab tests.

Once the check-in process is complete, you will consult with one of our medical professionals, which could be a doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a physician’s assistant, depending on the clinic’s staffing and your needs. They will inquire about your symptoms, medical history, and other relevant details to help diagnose your condition. If required, they will order lab tests for further health analysis.

Our in-house lab will conduct the tests, with results usually available within a few hours.

After the medical professional orders the lab tests, our competent lab staff will carry out the tests in our state-of-the-art in-house lab. This could involve collecting samples like blood, urine, or a throat swab, as needed. The advantage of an in-house lab is its ability to process and analyze tests quickly, often within a few hours, thus leading to a quicker diagnosis and treatment plan.

Upon receiving the results, you will consult with the medical provider to discuss the findings and devise a treatment plan.

As soon as your lab results are ready, a follow-up consultation with the medical provider will be arranged. They will interpret the test results and explain their implications for your health. If the results lead to a diagnosis, the provider will explore potential treatment strategies with you. Together, you will develop a personalized treatment plan, which might include medications, lifestyle changes, further testing, or a specialist’s referral. The purpose of this discussion is to ensure you are fully informed about your health status and comfortable with the proposed treatment plan.