3 Tips to Make Your Outpatient Lab Visit as Smooth as Possible

December 30, 2025

During busy periods, walk-in patients at Jefferson Healthcare’s outpatient lab can face longer wait times. Use these strategies to help you get your labs done, and get on with your day, faster.

Jefferson Healthcare’s outpatient lab proudly serves our community every day, and we’re currently seeing more patients than ever before. During especially busy times, walk-in patients may experience longer waits, sometimes up to an hour. We know your time is valuable, and we’d like to share a little about why wait times vary and how you can help make your visit quicker and smoother.

Wait Times Explained

Our lab team is committed to providing safe, high-quality care for every patient. To help keep visits predictable and efficient, scheduled appointments are always given priority. Walk-in patients are welcomed and cared for as space becomes available between appointments, which can mean longer waits during our busiest hours.

Another factor is lab orders from providers outside Jefferson Healthcare. These paper orders require verification and processing so our staff can stay focused on patient care during high-volume periods.

Lab Tips

Jefferson Healthcare is an award-winning, full-service healthcare organization meeting the care needs of East Jefferson County. Jefferson Healthcare offers inpatient and comprehensive outpatient services including primary and specialty physician care.

Schedule an Appointment
Appointments typically have much shorter wait times and are prioritized by our lab team. You can schedule easily through MyChart. While we aim to bring patients back within about 15 minutes of their appointment time, arriving early won’t move you ahead of schedule. Also, if you arrive for your appointment more than 15 minutes late, you’ll be seen as a walk-in.

Schedule labs outside our peak hours
Mornings and lunchtime are the busiest times of day for our lab. If your schedule allows, visiting after 2:00 p.m. will often allow you to get in and out more quickly.

Plan ahead for outside lab orders
If you have a paper lab order from a non-Jefferson Healthcare provider, please drop it off one business day before your visit and schedule your lab work for the following day using MyChart. This helps our team prepare in advance and reduces wait times for everyone. If your test is urgent, our staff can help determine whether same-day accommodation is possible.

Thank you for your patience and for partnering with us. These small steps help us care for our entire community more efficiently, and help make your visit a better experience.

About Jefferson Healthcare

Jefferson Healthcare is an award-winning, full-service healthcare organization meeting the care needs of East Jefferson County. Jefferson Healthcare offers inpatient and comprehensive outpatient services including primary and specialty physician care.