Pediatric test centre (blood test centre)

Opening hours and location 

  • We are located in room B02.5118. Directions from main entrance: Take the first set of elevators in Block B to Level 2 – the centre is on the left-hand side. 

  • Weekdays 7:00 am to 3:00 p.m., except on statutory holidays. 

 

Appointments

Appointments are mandatory. To book your appointment online, please visit www.clicsante.ca/cusm/children.  

If you need help booking your appointment online, a reservation agent will be happy to assist you at 514 934-8228, Monday-Friday from 8 am – 4 pm (except statutory holidays). 

General notes: 

  1. On the day of your appointment, please bring:  
  • A valid MUHC hospital card 

  • A government-issued health card 

  • A valid laboratory test requisition with the patient’s full name or stamped hospital card/Medicare card, the physician’s full name and license, the requested tests clearly specified

  1. Fasting is required for the following tests: 

  • Fasting Glucose (AC) 

  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT 75g) 

  • Glucose 2hr PC 

  1. For urine/stool specimen collections and drop-offs, bring a requisition with each sample collection and the patient’s hospital card. Please refer to the provided specimen collection procedure for further instructions on how to collect a specific sample 

Getting the results 

The laboratories cannot give laboratory results to patients. You can access your health information via: 

  • The online “Québec Health Booklet” site, after registration. The results will be available on this site after 30 days. 

Test centres are also available at CLSC’s around the province. Click here to see the test centres near you.  

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. My child requires a blood test/urine test. How do I proceed?

The Montreal Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Test Center is for children from 0 to 17 years of age inclusively. We are located on the second floor of Bloc B (room B02.5118) and open  Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We are closed on holidays and weekends.

On the day of your tests, it is mandatory to bring:

  • A physician’s requisition that clearly indicates the child’s full name and/or Medicare number, the physician’s full name and license number and all the tests requested by the physician.
  • A valid Medicare card
  • A valid hospital card (hospital cards can be obtained at the Admissions department, located in Bloc C, level RC 0036)

Without this information, testing cannot be performed.

2. My physician’s requisition was not accepted in the Pediatric Test Centre. How come?

By law, the following information must be indicated on your requisition before we can perform a blood test:

  • Your child’s full name 
  • Your child's Medicare or hospital card number or immigration papers
  • Your physician’s full name and license number
  • Department or clinic name and address

If you have more than one child coming for tests, each child must have their own requisition. If your requisition is lacking any of the above information we will not be able to perform testing.  

3. How do I know if my child’s hospital card is valid and where do I get a new one?

The hospital card’s expiration date is written at the bottom left-hand corner of the red or grey card. Its expiry date is the same as a patient’s Medicare card expiration date. If you need to make a new hospital card, please go to room C RC 0036 prior to coming to the Pediatric Test Centre.

4. What is fasting?

Fasting means that your child cannot eat anything, nor drink anything other than water for a pre-determined amount of time prior to their blood test based on age. Ask your physician if your child needs to be fasting prior to doing their blood test.

Should your child need to fast, please refer to the requirements below:

  • Children less than 12 months old: 4 hours
  • Children 12-18 months old: 6 hours
  • Children older than 18 months old: 12 hours

5. Which tests require fasting?

Fasting is required when indicated by your physician or when the following tests have been requested:

  • Fasting Glucose (AC)
  • Pyruvate or Pyruvic acid
  • Any other tests indicated by your physician

If you are unsure if fasting is required for your child’s upcoming blood test, please consult your physician before coming to the PTC.

6. I have a urine or stool specimen to collect and drop-off. How do I proceed?

Specimens may be dropped off from Monday to Friday between  7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  in room B 02.5118. Please be sure to take a number, and bring your child’s hospital card and your physician’s requisition with you each time you drop off a specimen. We are unable to accept your specimen without these documents.

7. Can I drop off specimens outside of opening hours?

No, specimens can only be dropped off during opening hours. Please don’t leave any specimens at the door as they will not be processed.

8. My child is not potty-trained. How can I collect his or her urine?

We have special urine collection bags that can be taped to your child to collect urine. We do not insert catheters for this purpose. Please go to Emergency if a catheter is necessary.

9. My child requires a sweat test. What does this test entail?

A sweat test is a painless procedure lasting about 1 hour during which your child’s sweat glands are stimulated to produce sweat. This sweat is then collected for analysis. 

Please bring warm clothing such as a jacket and sweater to help your child sweat. If an insufficient amount of sweat is collected, we will not be able to perform the test and you must come back another day. Please note that the test cannot be performed if your child has a fever. Please do not use any lotions or creams on the day of the appointment. 

10. I’m in the waiting room and noticing that patients that have arrived after me are being called in before me. Why is that?

Please note that numbers are not called in ascending order. Patients are seen in order of medical priority and health status as per hospital policy. 

11. Why can’t you tell me the waiting time and/or why is there such a long wait today?

Wait times cannot be estimated as every child is different and deserves the highest level of care and attention during their visit. 

12. I would like to know my child’s tests results. Can I call the lab?

Test results can only be given to a patient’s requesting physician. If you wish to inquire about results, you must communicate with the physician who ordered the tests for your child.