What to bring to a lab or imaging appointment
What to bring to a lab or imaging appointment
Bringing the right items to your lab, imaging, or diagnostic testing appointment helps Silent Hill Health confirm your identity, match the correct order, bill the right insurance, and complete your test safely.
Most appointments require a photo ID and insurance information. Some visits may also require order details, a medication list, prior imaging records, implant cards, mobility aids, or a support person depending on the test.
Quick summary
- Bring photo ID and insurance information.
- Bring order paperwork if the test was ordered outside Silent Hill Health.
- Bring a current medication and supplement list.
- Bring prior imaging, reports, or discs if the imaging team requested them.
- Bring mobility aids, communication tools, glasses, hearing aids, or accessibility items you need.
- Ask ahead if a support person needs to come with you or stay during part of the visit.
Quick checklist
Use this checklist before leaving for your appointment. Some items may not apply to every test, but it is better to review them before arriving than to delay testing at check-in.
Bring to most appointments
- Photo ID.
- Insurance card or insurance information.
- Appointment confirmation or portal instructions.
- Current medication and supplement list.
- Payment method, if your plan requires a copay or balance payment.
Bring if needed
- Printed lab or imaging order.
- Prior imaging disc, report, or outside record.
- Implant, device, or medication card.
- Mobility aid, communication device, or sensory support item.
- Support person or responsible adult driver, if required.
Photo ID Insurance Order Details Medication List Prior Imaging Mobility Support
Photo ID and insurance
Bring a photo ID so staff can confirm your identity before collecting a sample or completing imaging. This helps protect your privacy and makes sure the correct result is attached to the correct chart.
Bring your insurance card or current insurance information, even if Silent Hill Health already has insurance on file. Your coverage may need to be verified again if your plan, employer, address, legal name, or billing information changed.
Name mismatch? Tell registration staff if your ID, insurance, portal name, or appointment name do not match. Staff may need to verify details before the test can proceed.
Order details
Your order tells the lab or imaging team what test to perform, which provider requested it, and where results should be sent. If your order was placed by a Silent Hill Health provider, staff may already be able to see it in your chart.
If the order came from an outside provider, bring printed paperwork or electronic instructions if you have them. This is especially important for outside lab orders, outside imaging orders, specialty diagnostic tests, or tests that need a specific diagnosis code or collection timing.
| Order detail | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Test name | Helps staff confirm the exact lab, scan, or diagnostic test. |
| Ordering provider | Helps staff send questions or results to the right clinician. |
| Timing instructions | Some tests must be done fasting, at a specific time, or before a medication dose. |
| Prior authorization or referral details | Some imaging tests may require insurance review before testing. |
[[sh:If the order appears under a provider you do not remember meeting, check whether the name belongs to the supervising clinician before assuming the chart has shifted.]]
Medication list
Bring a current list of medications, vitamins, supplements, injections, patches, and over-the-counter medicines. Include the dose, how often you take each item, and when you last took it if timing may matter.
This is especially important if your test involves fasting, contrast, sedation, blood thinners, diabetes medication, heart medication, seizure medication, lithium or other medication-level monitoring, or any instruction that changes when you eat or take medicine.
Your medication list should include:
- Prescription medications.
- Over-the-counter medicines.
- Vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
- Injections, patches, inhalers, drops, creams, or implanted medication devices.
- Medication allergies or previous reactions.
Prior imaging or outside records
For imaging appointments, you may be asked to bring prior imaging, reports, or records from another hospital or clinic. Prior images can help the radiology team compare old and new findings.
If staff requested prior imaging, bring the exact format they asked for. This may be an imaging disc, printed report, portal download, outside facility record, or electronic transfer confirmation.
| If requested, bring | Helpful for |
|---|---|
| Prior imaging disc or digital transfer confirmation | Comparing the actual images, not just the written report. |
| Previous radiology report | Understanding past findings and recommendations. |
| Outside lab results | Confirming kidney function or other pre-test safety checks if contrast is planned. |
| Implant or device documentation | Completing MRI or procedure safety screening. |
Bring the record staff asked for. A screenshot of a portal result may not be enough if the imaging team needs the original image files.
Mobility aids and accessibility items
Bring mobility aids and accessibility items you need to move safely, communicate clearly, or complete the appointment. This may include a cane, walker, wheelchair, braces, glasses, hearing aids, communication device, sensory support item, or written instructions.
Tell the clinic, lab, or imaging location ahead of time if you need help transferring to an exam table, lying flat, standing for an X-ray, waiting in a seated area, using an accessible entrance, or navigating the building.
Call ahead for mobility support: Some imaging tests require specific positioning or transfers. Calling ahead gives staff time to prepare equipment, staffing, or an accessible route.
Support-person needs
A support person may help with transportation, communication, mobility, anxiety, memory, consent discussions, or instructions after the appointment. Whether they can enter the testing area depends on the test, space, privacy rules, radiation safety, MRI safety, infection precautions, and sedation requirements.
If your appointment includes sedation or medication that affects alertness, you may be required to bring a responsible adult driver. Rideshare or taxi travel may not meet the requirement if staff specifically require a responsible adult to accompany you.
| Bring a support person if | Ask before the visit |
|---|---|
| You need help getting around | Can they help me check in, transfer, or get to pickup? |
| You need help understanding instructions | Can they join registration or discharge instruction review? |
| You are having sedation or anxiety medication | Do I need a responsible adult driver? |
| You want them in the testing area | Are support people allowed past the waiting area for this test? |
[[sh:If your support person says they already checked in under your name, verify with registration. Brookhaven does not permit duplicate shadows on appointment manifests.]]
Lab vs. imaging items
Lab and imaging appointments have some overlap, but imaging visits may require extra safety screening, prior records, or clothing changes. Lab visits may require fasting instructions, collection timing, or medication timing details.
| Appointment type | Extra items to consider |
|---|---|
| Blood work or lab testing | Fasting instructions, medication timing instructions, water bottle if allowed, snack for after fasting, and outside lab order if needed. |
| X-ray | Comfortable clothing, ability to remove jewelry, and mobility support if standing or positioning is difficult. |
| CT or MRI | Implant cards, medication list, contrast instructions, prior imaging if requested, and a support person if sedation or anxiety medication is planned. |
| Ultrasound | Full-bladder or fasting instructions if required, comfortable clothing, and any outside order details. |
What not to bring
Avoid bringing valuables, large bags, unnecessary electronics, or items that may need to be removed for the test. For MRI appointments, do not bring loose metal items into the MRI safety area.
If you use a medical device, wearable monitor, medication patch, hearing aid, insulin pump, glucose monitor, or implanted device, do not remove it without instructions. Tell staff so they can review what is safe for your specific test.
MRI safety reminder: Phones, keys, wallets, watches, hearing aids, tools, magnetic items, and loose metal should not enter the MRI room unless staff specifically clears them.
If you forget something
If you forget an item, tell registration or testing staff as soon as you arrive. Some items can be verified electronically. Others may be required before the appointment can continue.
Your test may need to be delayed or rescheduled if staff cannot confirm your identity, cannot find the order, cannot complete safety screening, or cannot verify required preparation.
Before leaving or rescheduling, ask:
- Can the missing information be verified in the portal or chart?
- Do I need a new order or updated referral?
- Can my outside provider send the order electronically?
- Do I need to repeat fasting or preparation before the next appointment?
- Who should I call if I find the missing record later?
FAQ
Do I need photo ID every time?
Bring photo ID to every lab, imaging, or diagnostic testing appointment. Staff use it to confirm your identity and match the correct test to the correct chart.
What if my order is already in the portal?
You may not need printed paperwork if the order is active in your Silent Hill Health chart. Bring any instructions you received anyway, especially if the test was ordered by an outside provider or has special timing.
Should I bring my medication bottles?
A current medication list is usually enough, but bringing bottles may help if you are unsure of names, doses, or timing. Include supplements, over-the-counter medicines, patches, and injections.
Do I need to bring prior imaging?
Only if the imaging team or ordering provider requested it. Prior images can help compare changes over time. Ask whether they need the actual images, the written report, or both.
Can I bring my cane, walker, wheelchair, or service animal?
Bring the mobility aids or accessibility supports you need. Call ahead if you need help transferring, positioning, navigating the building, or using an accessible entrance. Service animal guidance may depend on the testing area and safety requirements.
Can my support person come with me?
Usually they can come to check-in or the waiting area, but access to the testing area may depend on the exam, privacy rules, MRI safety, radiation safety, infection precautions, or sedation requirements. Ask before the appointment if you need them with you.
What if I forgot something important?
Tell registration or testing staff right away. Some information can be verified electronically, but your test may need to be delayed or rescheduled if staff cannot confirm your identity, order, safety screening, or preparation requirements.
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