HealthEa st ®
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HealthEast Medical Laboratory
HealthEa st ®
HealthEast Medical Laboratory (HML) is a
full-service reference laboratory dedicated
to providing accurate test results in a fast,
efficient and cost-effective manner.
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Information for
outpatients about
group a strep testing
Skilled staff, quality testing
We ensure the quality of our laboratory
testing through our policies, procedures,
processes and an experienced and committed
staff. Our pathologists, managers, supervisors,
technologists, technicians and support
personnel are dedicated to providing
laboratory testing of the highest quality
to your patients.
St. Joseph’s Hospital
69 West Exchange Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
HealthEast Medical Laboratories
651-232-3500
St. Joseph’s Hospital
www.healtheast.org/hmlonline
CC 40318
827-1033 10/07
651-232-3500
www.healtheast.org/hmlonline
What is this test?
How long does this test take?
This test identifies the presence of Group A
Streptococci, a bacteria that causes “strep throat”.
After the specimen is collected, the rapid test
takes approximately 10 – 15 minutes.
Your doctor typically orders this test if you
have common symptoms such as sore throat
and fever. Other symptoms such as a headache,
stomachache, a coating on the tonsils or tongue,
or loss of appetite may also indicate a strep
throat infection.
What do the results mean?
How is this test collected?
A member of our laboratory team will use a
tongue depressor to hold your tongue down
and insert a swab into your mouth. The swab
is rubbed against your tonsils and the back of
your throat. You may gag while your throat is
swabbed.
If the rapid test is positive, no further testing is
required and your doctor will start you on an
antibiotic to treat your strep throat. A negative
rapid result indicates that you probably do not
have strep throat, but the possibility cannot be
ruled out until a more sensitive followup test is
performed. This result may take an additional 24
hours. If both strep tests are negative, this may
indicate a viral infection which will improve on
its own without any medication.
Do I need to wait for the results?
No. The Laboratory will send the results of your
test to the doctor or clinic that ordered the test.
Your doctor will contact you to discuss any
followup care.
What else do I need to know?
Recent antibiotic therapy or gargling with some
mouthwashes may affect test results. To get an
optimal collection for testing, do not eat or drink
anything (including cough drops) one hour prior
to having the test done.
651-232-3500
www.healtheast.org/hmlonline
Thank you for coming to St. Joseph’s
Hospital. Suggestions and/or comments
are appreciated. Please direct them to any
member of the Laboratory staff.