Laboratory Services

All NTHSSA facilities are working to provide safe and accessible health services while ensuring COVID safety precautions are in place. Please call ahead to your intended health services to learn about current COVID restrictions or processes that may affect your visit.

Laboratory Services includes a wide range of routine and specialized tests that are used to support clinicians in detecting, diagnosing, preventing and monitoring diseases.  Tests are performed on blood, body fluids and tissues.

Our laboratory services include the following, however please note that not all services are offered at all of our facilities:

  • Blood and body fluid sample collection
  • Biochemistry 
  • Urinalysis
  • Transfusion Medicine
  • Hematology
  • Microbiology
  • Electrocardiogram or ECG 
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What to bring to the lab

Please register at the reception or admitting area prior to your visit to the lab. To register, you will be required to show:

  • The laboratory test requisition (paperwork) from your healthcare provider 
    • Any laboratory testing you get must be requested by a Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Registered Midwife that is licensed to practice in the NWT. Once your health care provider has completed your requisition, you can get the test.
  • Your healthcare card
    • Please note - patients without an NWT healthcare card or an expired NWT healthcare card will be required to go to Stanton Territorial Hospital for Lab Services.
  • A piece of photo identification

Depending on the type of test you are getting, you can drop in to the lab during regular specimen collection hours.

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How to prepare for your visit

Some laboratory tests require you to prepare for you visit, while others do not require preparation.  Some tests will require a period of fasting before the test.  Fasting means having nothing to eat, drink or chew except small amounts of water for the required amount of time leading up to your test.  Ask your health care provider if you are permitted to take your medications during your fasting period.

The following tests require preparation

Lipid Panel testing

  • Requires patients to fast 12 hours prior to testing

Fasting Glucose (blood sugar)

  • Requires patients to fast for 8 hours prior to testing

Gestational Glucose Tolerance Screening Test

  • Requires patients to fast for 2 to 4 hours prior to testing
  • Expect 1 - 2 hour duration

Gestational Glucose Tolerance Test

  • Requires patients to fast for 8 hours prior to testing
  • Expect 2 - 3 hour duration

Glucose Tolerance Test (non-pregnant patients)

  • Requires patients to fast for 8 hours prior to testing
  • Expect 2-3 hour duration

Urea Breath Test 

If your test is not listed here, check your requisition form or talk to your health care provider or local laboratory service to find out if your test requires any special preparation.

Some tests will require you to wait at the laboratory for additional collections at specific times. It is important that you remain in the laboratory waiting area during these times so that you can be monitored by a health care professional and be available for the additional collections at the correct times. Talk to your health care provider or local laboratory service to find out if your test requires you to wait for additional collections. Make sure to bring a book or other activity for while you wait. 

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Getting your results

After your appointment, the Laboratory staff cannot immediately give you your results.  All results must go to your health care provider to review.  Your health care provider will contact you if your results are abnormal or require additional follow up.  Contact your health care provider for information about your results

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Contact this service

Laboratory services are offered across the NWT, however if you are located in a smaller community you may have to travel to a larger community for Laboratory services.  Contact your local hospital, clinic, or health centre for more information about laboratory services in your community.  Visit our Regional Portals for more information about the services provided at your local health centre.

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General/Routine Laboratory Service Hours

Yellowknife Primary Care Clinic Laboratory

Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm

Closed for lunch from 11:45am to 12:30pm

Closed on all statutory holidays and weekend

Phone: (867) 767-9294

Stanton Territorial Hospital Laboratory

8:00AM to 3:30PM, Monday to Friday

Closed on all statutory holidays and weekends

Phone: (867) 669-4373

Inuvik Regional Hospital Outpatient Laboratory

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 12:00PM

Closed on all statutory holidays and weekends

Phone: 1-867-777-8025

Fort Smith Clinic Laboratory

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Closed on all statutory holidays and weekends

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