Quest Diagnostics — Local services in New York

I’m disappointed to have to write a 1-star review as I’ve had nothing but great experiences in the past, however, my appointment today was radically different from the rest.

I went in for an early morning blood panel that I needed to fast for. As someone who is a diagnosed fainter (vasovagal syncope), I very kindly advocated for myself at the beginning of my appointment to get my blood taken while horizontal. The mood of the phlebotomist immediately changes and she snaps at me “Don’t faint, it’s in your control.” “Didn’t you eat??” (No it’s a FASTING blood panel). My response is defending myself and having to explain to someone in the medical field why fainting is NOT in my control, to which she responds my screaming across the hall to her colleague “can you do this one for me?” In a nasty tone, no longer showing me respect as a patient.

This immediately makes me uncomfortable and upset. If fainting were in my control do you think I would choose to faint? Fainting makes you feel disgusting, sweaty, clammy, and dizzy. Not to mention as a young woman alone, it’s scary and potentially dangerous to be out of control of your body. As someone who has had the misfortune of fainting and hitting their head, fainting while alone in the NYC subway, fainting on an airplane, etc. I can attest that fainting is NOT in my control.

I did not advocate for myself to be horizontal to be a princess or to make the lives of the quest diagnostic team more difficult. I do it for the mutual safety of myself and my care team.

Luckily, I was in wonderful hands with her colleague Renata, but this did not make up for the bad taste I have left in my mouth from the experience.

Needless to say, I would not recommend this quest location as it is clear not all the staff are trained properly in patient care. I am not confident the first phlebotomist even knows what the protocol is for someone who faints which is concerning to think about.

If you are someone who has even more serious medical issues please do not visit this location or please go to a...

My aunt had an exceptionally troubling experience at this Quest Diagnostics location and never wants to come here again.

Before I continue, I will say that our experience at this location had been very positive until recently. The phlebotomists we've seen have been very skilled and friendly and service was always relatively quick as long as we made appointments beforehand.

However, this morning, when my aunt had gone in to have her routine bloodwork done, the staff here attempted to charge her a $100 co-pay, despite the fact that she has gotten her bloodwork done here at least a dozen times and has never been charged ANY co-pay and that Quest Diagnostics is in-network with her insurance.

On top of that, my aunt stayed at the lab to call someone from her insurance company to assist her and talk to the staff at this Quest Diagnostics. The insurance rep themselves said that she shouldn't be charged anything and even offered to speak to a staff member. But then, the staff member told my aunt they weren't allowed to speak with her insurance company? What could possibly be going on here?

If that was true (which I highly doubt, given that staff probably needs to speak to insurance companies all the time so that the lab can BILL THEM), who is managing this lab that gave this directive to their staff members? Why didn't they come out to speak to my aunt to attempt to troubleshoot the issue or speak with my aunt's insurance company if their staff couldn't do so in their stead? My aunt--who is elderly, prone to fainting, and had made as early an appointment as possible because she was fasting for the bloodwork--waited to speak with someone for over an hour before she left out of frustration.

Until/unless we get answers, my aunt and I will only be going to the Quest Diagnostics location at 57th and Lex or LabCorp going forward. This is appalling and beyond...

I had such a great experience at this Quest location. Check-in was fast and efficient using a simple touch screen interface that captured my ID and insurance information. I was seen very promptly at my appointment time. The staff was great.

I have to say a special thanks to Renata, the phlebotomist who worked with me. I told her that I am not good at giving blood (I'm a fainter!) and she was so warm, kind and understanding. I requested to lay down and she did not belittle me for that request. She looked for the better arm that she felt like she could work with faster. And she went so fast and kept me laughing and smiling through the entire draw. When I went a little pale she found me a piece of candy and a glass of cold water and let me relax until I felt good enough to leave.

I have been to many medical locations where my strong response to needles/blood draws is not taken seriously. I'm told to just "sit in the chair, it will be fast" and I inevitably pass out. It was so nice to feel seen and heard at this location and to be seen by such a compassionate...