Today, laboratory testing is performed in many different settings – from the large reference lab that performs complex kinds of tests to your own home, where you might do a pregnancy test or monitor your blood glucose levels.

Many of us, however, may wonder where our tests actually are performed. As we learn to take a more active role in our medical care, a clear understanding of what happens when our blood or urine specimens are sent “off to the lab” will help us to become knowledgeable more participants in our own health care.

All labs are not the same for the simple reason that not all tests are the same. Just as tests vary in complexity, and the technology required to perform them, so too do labs vary in their complexity, the volume of tests they can perform, the number and type of professionals who staff them, and the technology they have available.

The following descriptions explain some of the important differences among the various testing settings. We hope that they provide a useful addition to your understanding of laboratory testing.