Pre-operative blood work in Ontario is ordered by your surgeon or the hospital's pre-admission unit on a requisition, and you can have it drawn at any community laboratory, including Bio-Test's 11 Ottawa and Eastern Ontario centres, with no appointment. Most patients need only a short list of tests, done within the window the surgical team specifies, usually two to four weeks before the operation.
Which blood tests are ordered before surgery?
The list depends on your age, your health and the operation. Common items are a complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia and platelets, electrolytes and creatinine for kidney function, and a coagulation screen (INR and PTT) if bleeding risk matters. A blood group and screen is added when a transfusion is possible. Glucose or HbA1c is common for people with diabetes, and an ECG may be requested for older patients or those with heart disease. Bio-Test performs walk-in ECGs at Bells Corners, Smyth and Parkdale, so the ECG can be done on the same visit.
Why fewer tests is normal
If your requisition looks short, that is by design. Choosing Wisely Canada and the surgical societies recommend against routine panels for healthy patients having low-risk surgery, because tests ordered without a reason rarely change the plan and sometimes cause delays chasing a borderline result. Your surgeon orders what your history and the procedure justify.
How far ahead should pre-op bloodwork be done?
Follow the date on the requisition or the pre-admission instructions. Many programs want results within 30 days of surgery, and a group and screen is often valid for only a few days, which is why it may be drawn at the hospital itself. If your requisition has no date, aim for two to three weeks before, which leaves time to repeat anything unexpected.
Where to get pre-op blood work in Ottawa
Any Bio-Test patient service centre can draw a pre-operative requisition. Walk in with the requisition and your Ontario health card; no appointment is needed and the typical wait is under 15 minutes. The results are sent to the ordering surgeon or pre-admission unit named on the requisition, usually within 24 to 48 hours, and appear in your patient portal. Find your nearest centre on the Locations page.
- Bring the requisition exactly as given; the lab cannot add or change tests.
- Check whether any test needs fasting. A fasting glucose does; a CBC and INR do not.
- If the hospital asked for a specific lab, follow that instruction. Otherwise a community lab is fine.
- Tell the desk the surgery date so the report is prioritised if it is close.
Is pre-op blood work covered by OHIP?
Yes. Tests ordered by a surgeon or hospital for a scheduled procedure are insured with a valid Ontario health card. Learn more about what OHIP covers.
Getting your pre-op tests done at Bio-Test
Walk in to any of our 11 centres with your requisition and health card. If your surgeon also wants an ECG or X-ray, choose Bells Corners or Smyth so everything is done in one trip. Questions about a requisition? Call 613-789-4242 or toll-free 1-800-409-1942.