Testing That Serves You

Laboratory tests are one of the most important diagnostic tools that your provider relies on to make a diagnosis, order medications or other interventions, and monitor your overall treatment plan.

Our Laboratory at North Shore Health is committed to providing the highest level of quality and service. Our professional staff of certified Medical Laboratory Scientists and Medical Laboratory Technicians are highly trained and dedicated to serving the needs of our patients and residents. We are committed to running the highest quality tests to produce the most accurate results.  North Shore Health Laboratory is accredited as a quality laboratory.

Laboratory services are provided for the North Shore Health Hospital, Emergency Department, and North Shore Living, our attached nursing home. Outpatient laboratory services are provided for Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Grand Portage Health Center, and Birch Grove Clinic.  In addition, the North Shore Health Laboratory accepts laboratory orders/referrals from Out-of-Town Providers and Specialists (orders may be faxed directly to the front desk (registration) at 218-387-3292, please confirm receipt by contacting NSH Reception Desk at 218-387-3040).

The North Shore Health Laboratory is a full-service laboratory, offering a broad in-house test menu.  Using current methodologies and state-of-the-art instrumentation, we perform routine and STAT testing in:

  • Chemistry
  • Blood Gases
  • Coagulation
  • Serology
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Immunochemistry
  • Hematology
  • Urinalysis
  • Microbiology
  • Transfusion Services (Limited)

In addition, we also collaborate with accredited Reference Laboratories for our esoteric testing needs.

What to Bring

Outpatients should bring their laboratory order/referral to the North Shore Health Reception Desk to register for laboratory services. The referral must include your legal name, date of birth, tests requested, Provider’s name and signature, diagnosis, and contact information for out-of-town providers (phone and fax number).  Most outpatient collections are conducted on a first-come-first-serve basis, with the exception of a few tests that require an appointment (Ex. Glucose Tolerance, ACTH, Research Study Kits, etc.).  Please call the laboratory to make an appointment.

Emergency department patients, hospital observation stays and inpatients, and nursing home residents will have laboratory services ordered directly from their treating provider.

Please follow specimen collection instructions given to you by your medical provider. If you have any questions, please contact your provider prior to your visit to the laboratory.

Hours of Operation

North Shore Health Laboratory is here to serve our patients and community 24/7 for emergencies.
We are open for outpatients during the business hours listed below, and available for Emergency Services after hours. 

Routine Outpatient Business Hours are:

  • 7:30 am - 5:00 pm on Monday – Friday
  • 8:00 am - noon on Saturdays

Please note that staffing is limited after 4:30 pm M-F and on the weekends and holidays. We ask that any special needs you may have during those times be planned in advance to ensure timely service and the best possible care (routine labs do not require an appointment). 

Questions

We can answer questions about laboratory orders/referrals, specimen collections, appointments, etc. Please contact your provider for questions about test results.

For more information, please contact the Laboratory during business hours at (218) 387-3267.