Know Your Health
How to Arrange a Laboratory Collection or Contact Togalab Client Services
When your healthcare professional recommends laboratory testing, knowing how to arrange your laboratory collection can make the process much easier.
You may have questions about where to go, whether you need a referral, what preparation is required or what you need to bring with you.
Togalab provides laboratory and diagnostic services for patients and healthcare professionals. If you’re unsure about the practical arrangements for your test, contacting Togalab Client Services before your visit can help you understand what you need to do.
This guide explains how to arrange a laboratory collection, what to check before attending and how Togalab Client Services can assist.
What Is a Laboratory Collection?
A laboratory collection is the process of obtaining a specimen that will be sent to the laboratory for testing.
Depending on the test, the specimen may be:
- Blood
- Urine
- A swab
- Tissue
- Another appropriate biological specimen
The type of specimen required depends on the laboratory test being performed.
For example, many wellness tests use blood samples, while some infectious disease investigations may require a swab or another type of specimen.
Do You Need to Arrange a Laboratory Collection?
This depends on the test you need and how the service is provided.
If your doctor has referred you for testing, you may be given instructions about where and when to have your specimen collected.
Togalab also advises that patients can contact the laboratory collection about wellness panels and specific screenings.
If you’re unsure whether you need to arrange a collection, contacting Togalab before attending is a good place to start.
Step 1: Know Which Test You Need
Before arranging your laboratory collection, make sure you know which test has been requested.
If your doctor has given you a referral, check the information on the referral. If anything is unclear, ask your healthcare professional to explain which tests have been requested.
The test you’re having will determine the type of specimen required and whether you need to prepare beforehand.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Professional
Before leaving your appointment, you may want to ask:
- What test do I need?
- Why is the test being requested?
- Do I need to fast?
- Can I drink water?
- Should I take my medication as usual?
- Does the test need to be done at a specific time?
- Do I need a referral?
- Where should I have the specimen collected?
- How will I receive my results?
Having this information beforehand can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Step 2: Find the Right Togalab Location
Once you know what testing you need, you can find a suitable Togalab location.
Togalab’s branch information provides details about available locations, contact information, operating hours and services.
Togalab also has JHB and Pretoria depots.
If you’re unsure which location is most suitable for your test, contact Togalab before travelling. This can help you avoid going to a location that doesn’t offer the service you need.
Step 3: Check Whether You Need an Appointment
Not every laboratory service will have the same collection arrangements.
Some collections may be straightforward, while specialised tests may require additional arrangements.
Before travelling to a branch, contact Togalab if you’re unsure whether you need to make an appointment or arrange your collection in advance.
A quick call beforehand can help confirm exactly what you need to do.
Step 4: Check Your Preparation Requirements
Some laboratory tests require preparation before the specimen is collected.
For example, certain tests may require fasting or need to be performed at a particular time.
However, not every laboratory test requires fasting.
Before your collection, confirm:
- Whether you need to fast
- Whether you can drink water
- Whether you should take your usual medication
- Whether the test needs to be performed at a particular time
- Whether you need to bring a referral
- Whether you need identification or other documents
Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare professional or the laboratory.
If you’re unsure, contact Togalab Client Services before attending.
Step 5: Prepare Your Documents
Depending on your circumstances, you may need certain information when attending your laboratory collection.
If your doctor has referred you for testing, make sure you have the relevant referral information available.
You may also need information relating to your medical aid or healthcare provider.
If you’re unsure what you need to bring, contact Togalab before your visit.
What Happens When You Arrive?
When you arrive for your laboratory collection, the healthcare professional assisting you will confirm the relevant information and the testing required.
The collection process depends on the type of specimen being collected.
For a blood test, for example, a trained healthcare professional will collect the required blood sample and place it into the appropriate collection tubes.
Other tests may require different collection methods.
The healthcare professional will guide you through the process and explain anything you need to know.
Can You Arrange a Collection for Someone Else?
If you’re arranging laboratory testing for a family member or another person, make sure you have the correct information about their requested tests and preparation requirements.
If a referral has been provided, check that the details correspond to the person being tested.
If you’re unsure about the arrangements, contact Togalab Client Services before attending.
What If You Need a Home Collection?
Some patients may wonder whether their specimen can be collected outside a Togalab branch.
Collection arrangements depend on the test and the patient’s circumstances. Not every laboratory test will be suitable for home collection.
If you have difficulty travelling to a laboratory or require a different collection arrangement, contact Togalab Client Services and ask what options are available for your particular testing requirements.
What If You're Unsure Which Branch to Use?
If you’re not sure where to have your test performed, Togalab’s branch information can help you identify available locations.
However, if you’re still unsure whether a particular location can perform your test, contact Togalab before travelling.
Client Services can assist with practical questions about available services and collection locations.
How to Contact Togalab Client Services
If you have questions about arranging a laboratory collection, Togalab Client Services is a good place to start.
You can contact the team for practical enquiries about laboratory collection, services and test results.
Client Services: 011 663 6300
Email: clientservices@togalab.co.za
For financial enquiries:
Finance: Finance@togalab.co.za
Toga Nurses are also available at various locations. Contact Togalab for more information about available locations and services.
What Can You Ask Client Services?
You don’t need to have everything figured out before contacting the laboratory.
If you’re unsure about the process, you can ask:
- Where is my nearest Togalab branch?
- Can I have my requested test at this location?
- Do I need to arrange a collection?
- Do I need a referral?
- Do I need to fast?
- What should I bring with me?
- What are the collection arrangements?
- How do I get information about my results?
- Where are the JHB or Pretoria depots?
- Are Toga Nurses available at a particular location?
Getting these details beforehand can make your visit much simpler.
What If You Need Your Test Results?
Togalab Client Services can also assist with enquiries relating to test results.
However, laboratory collection results should be discussed with the healthcare professional who requested the testing.
Your doctor or healthcare professional can explain your results in the context of your symptoms, medical history and other relevant information.
A laboratory result is only one part of your overall healthcare picture.
If you’re concerned about a result, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional.
What If You Haven't Been Referred by a Doctor?
If you’re interested in a wellness panel or specific screening, Togalab advises that patients can contact the laboratory collection directly about these services.
For other types of testing, you may need to speak to a healthcare professional first.
If you’re unsure whether you can arrange a test directly, contact Client Services before making your plans.
This can help you understand the requirements before travelling to a branch.
Does Togalab Operate Outside Normal Business Hours?
Togalab states that its laboratory collection team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
However, individual services and collection locations may have their own arrangements.
For this reason, it’s still a good idea to confirm the operating hours and collection arrangements for the location you plan to visit before travelling.
What If You're Having a Specialised Test?
Some laboratory tests require specific arrangements because of the type of specimen, preparation or testing process involved.
Togalab provides a wide range of laboratory services, including:
- Molecular diagnostics
- HIV monitoring
- Infectious disease testing
- Wellness screening
- Prenatal and fertility testing
- Histopathology
- Cytology and HPV testing
- Microbiology and virology
- Pharmacology and drug screening
- Genetic and DNA testing
- Specialised testing
If you’ve been referred for a specialised test, ask your healthcare professional and Togalab Client Services about the collection requirements before attending.
What If You're Not Sure What the Test Is For?
It’s completely reasonable to ask questions.
If your doctor has requested laboratory testing and you’re unsure why, ask your healthcare professional to explain what the test is intended to investigate or monitor.
Understanding the purpose of the test can also make it easier to understand why particular preparation or collection instructions are necessary.
For practical questions about Togalab’s services, you can then contact Client Services.
A Simple Laboratory Collection Checklist
A little preparation before leaving home can make your collection much easier.
Before Your Collection
- Know which test has been requested
- Check whether you need a referral
- Confirm whether you need to fast
- Check any medication instructions
- Confirm the correct Togalab location
- Check whether you need to arrange a collection
- Bring any required documentation
- Contact Client Services if anything is unclear
At the Laboratory
- Follow the instructions provided
- Tell the healthcare professional if you have any concerns
- Ask questions if you don’t understand the collection process
- Confirm what happens with your results if necessary
After the Collection
Your specimen will be processed according to the requirements of the relevant laboratory test.
Once the results are available, your healthcare professional can explain them and discuss what they mean for you.
Contact Togalab Before You Travel
You don’t have to work everything out on your own.
If you’re unsure how to arrange a laboratory collection, where to go or whether you need a referral, contact Togalab Client Services before travelling to a branch.
For enquiries and test results: 011 663 6300
Client Services: clientservices@togalab.co.za
Finance: Finance@togalab.co.za
Toga Nurses are available at various locations. Contact Togalab for more information about available services and locations.
Your Next Step
If your healthcare professional has requested laboratory testing, start by confirming the test and any preparation requirements.
Then find the appropriate Togalab location or contact Client Services if you need help arranging your collection.
For enquiries and test results, call 011 663 6300 or email clientservices@togalab.co.za.
If you have questions about your health or whether you need a particular test, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional.
Final Thoughts
Arranging a laboratory collection doesn’t need to be complicated.
Knowing which test you need, checking your preparation requirements and confirming the correct collection location can make the process much easier.
Togalab Client Services can assist with practical questions about laboratory collection and services, while your healthcare professional can provide medical advice and explain why particular tests have been requested.
If you’re unsure what to do next, contact Togalab before attending. A quick conversation with Client Services can help you confirm the practical details and take the next step with confidence.