Diagnostic Services

The following services are a sample of what  SHS can provide:

1. Peak flow
   1. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) measures how fast air comes out of the lungs when one inhales fully and then exhales forcefully. PEF is measured using a small handheld device. PEF readings can help to determine if the large airways of the lungs are tightening.
2.   Pulse oximetry
   1.    Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen the body's hemaglobin molecules are carrying. Pulse oximetry is an important tool for assessing symptoms related to lung disease or injury, shock, anemia, and other conditions.
3. Urine pregnancy testing
   1. Urine pregnancy tests can detect the  presence of a pregnancy  hormone (called human chorionic  gonadotropin, or hCG) in a sample  of urine. High levels of hCG are produced during  pregnancy.
4. STD testing
     -The following are a sample of common STD  tests done at SHS:
   1. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)- A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test  detects antibodies to HIV in  the  blood. This determines whether an HIV infection is present (HIV-positive).  HIV infects white blood cells called CD4+ cells,  which are part of the body's  immune system that help fight infections. HIV causes acquired  immunodeficiency syndrome  (AIDS),  a long-term chronic disease that cannot be cured.
   2. Gonorrhea- Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that  is usually spread during sexual contact. It does not always cause  symptoms. Gonorrhea tests involve testing a sample of body fluid  or urine to determine if gonorrhea bacteria (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)  are present and may be the cause of an infection.
   3. Chlamydia- Chlamydia tests involve  testing a sample of body fluid  or urine to determine whether chlamydia bacteria (Chlamydia  trachomatis) are  present and may be the cause of an infection.  Chlamydia  is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease  (STD) in the United States.
   4. Herpes- Herpes testing is done to detect the presence of the herpes  simplex virus (HSV). An HSV infection can cause small,  painful blister-like  sores of the skin or the tissue lining (mucous membranes)  of the throat, nose, mouth, urethra, rectum, and  vagina.  A herpes infection may cause only a single outbreak of  sores,  but in many cases the person will have recurrent outbreaks.  A  herpes select test is done at SHS to distinguish between HSV  type  1 (usually causes cold sores on the lips) and HSV type 2 (usually  causes sores in the genital area), such as on or around the  vagina or penis.
   5. Syphilis- Syphilis tests detect antibodies to the bacterium that  causes syphilis (Treponema pallidum)  in blood, body fluid, or  tissue.  The tests are used to screen for or to confirm a syphilis  infection.  Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease  (STD) that is  usually  spread during sexual contact, including kissing or oral sex.   The RPR test is done at SHS to  detect syphilis antibodies.
5. Strep testing
   
       There are two types of tests to determine if  a person has strep throat:
   1. A rapid strep test can only determine the presence of  streptococcal bacteria, but will not  tell if the sore throat is caused  by  another kind of bacteria. The results are available in about 20 minutes.
   2. For a throat culture a sample of swabbed material is cultured, or  grown, in the laboratory on a medium  that allows technicians to determine  what kind of bacteria are present. Results take 24-48  hours. The test is  very accurate and will show the presence of other kinds of bacteria besides Streptococci.
6. Urine testing for bladder infection
   1. The dipstick contains a specially-treated pad. When the pad is dipped into a urine specimen, it can measure 10 aspects of urine. The results can determine if infection is present.
   2. Urine can be checked under a microscope for bacteria and  infection-fighting  cells. A urine culture may also be sent to the laboratory where a sample is allowed to grow on a medium. This allows technicians to determine the type and number of bacteria present and what antibiotics work best against them.
7.   Venipuncture
   1. A procedure where a sample of the patient's blood is withdrawn from a  vein  into a vacuum tube and sent to a laboratory for testing. This procedure usually takes approximately five minutes.
8. Electrocardiogram
   1. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is  a test that checks for  problems with the heart by recording its electrical  activity. An EKG  translates  the heart's electrical activity into line tracings on paper.
9. Visual acuity
   1. Visual acuity testing measures the  eye's ability to focus and to  see  details at near and far distances. It can help detect vision loss and  other problems.
10. Tuberculosis (TB) testing
    1. A tuberculin skin test is done to  see if you have ever been exposed to tuberculosis (TB) (Mycobacterium  tuberculosis). It is done by injecting  a small amount of TB protein (antigens) under the top layer of skin on your  inner forearm. If you have ever been exposed to the  TB bacteria, your skin will react to the  antigens by developing a  firm red bump at the site within 48 to 72 hours.
11. Fingerstick Hemoglobin
    1. Used to check patient’s hemoglobin levels in their blood to rule  out  anemia
12. Fingerstick Glucose
    1. Used to check patient’s blood sugar level, this test provides a result in approximately one minute.