In some cases, your provider may order tests that require swab samples. A few examples are the COVID-19 test, Vaginitis swab, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) culture, Chlamydia trachomatis and N. gonorrhea swabs.
Swab Testing at our San Francisco Clinic
Most swabs can be performed at our San Francisco clinic. After your appointment, your provider will submit a lab order and determine whether the swab can be completed in our facility. If you live in the San Francisco area, you can schedule a Lab Tech Appointment via the Circle Medical app or web portal to complete the sample collection.
When getting swab testing performed at our clinic, results are shared with Circle Medical automatically, and will be available in your Circle Medical app and web portal once they are complete.
Swab Testing at Other Facilities
While LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics may not perform swab collections, other facilities perform swab tests:
Local Healthcare Clinics: Many local healthcare clinics offer testing services at their facilities or through partnerships with a hospital or lab facility.
Pharmacies and Community Health Centers: Some pharmacies and health centers provide swab collection services.
Urgent Care: Many Urgent Cares offer swab collection services without the need for an appointment. See more information below.
Most facilities require a lab order to perform the swab collection. We recommend reaching out to the facility in advance to confirm if they accept LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics requisitions, and if it needs to be signed by your provider.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to our Patient Care team through our HIPAA-compliant chat on the mobile app or web portal if we can offer clarification.
Swab Collection at an Urgent Care
Although urgent care facilities have various processes, most of them require the following:
Identification
Health Insurance Information (if available)
Lab Requisition
Ordering Provider’s Name and Contact
Ensure you bring your requisition form provided by your provider. Upon arrival, present your personal identification and insurance information at the front desk. You will be registered into their system, where they'll confirm your insurance details. Their staff will collect the swab sample and send it to a lab for analysis. Your results will be communicated to you by the provider from the facility.
Processing Time
The lab usually sends the final results 7-10 business days after the sample has been collected. Occasionally, swab tests can take longer to be analyzed. We encourage you to send us a message if you have not received the results within this time frame; we can follow up with the lab to determine the turnaround time for the specific test ordered.
Sharing Your Results
After your samples have been collected, ensure the results are shared with us. You can do this by choosing one of the following methods:
Via Fax: You or your lab can fax the results to (888) 803-3331.
Via Email: Send a copy of your lab results to [email protected]. Ensure this is sent from the email address associated with your Circle Medical account to avoid delays.
Via Chat in the Mobile App: Circle Medical app, select the “Medical Records” option, choose “Upload records or documents,” and attach your lab results.
You can also upload or request that Circle Medical retrieve your results from the facility through our app. Here's how:
Open the Circle Medical app.
Tap the “Health Records” tab on the screen located along the bottom navigation bar.
Select the “Prior Medical Records” option.
Tap the blue “Add / Request Record” button.
Choose “Upload” OR “Request from Prior Facility,” depending on your needs.
Please note: If you are experiencing issues with completing this in the app, you can start a conversation with our Patient Care team, who will be happy to support you.
Once You've Sent your Lab Results
Once received, our Medical Records team will add them to your chart and notify your provider to review. A dedicated team will also review your results within 24 hours and ensure they are not urgent or critical. Please allow time for your provider to review your results, as they will send in the summary of your lab results and recommendations via your Secure Care Inbox.
Your provider may request to discuss your lab results during an appointment. Your provider can provide you with the full context of your results and create a care plan based on your concerns.
If you are currently experiencing any new or continued symptoms, please schedule a follow-up appointment with your provider.
References
Urgent Care
STD/STI Testing