When You Need Lab Results Fast
If you are sick or injured and need lab work done, you probably don’t want to wait a week for results. You want answers now!
At Lonestar 24 Hour ER, we have a full emergency lab on-site. We can run the tests your doctor needs during the same visit. There are no follow-up appointments or long waits for a telephone call. You get answers now, and treatment begins as soon as possible.
No appointment or referral needed. Walk in any time.
Why Our Emergency Lab Is Different
At a doctor’s office or clinic, your blood samples are sent to a third-party lab. They get processed over a one- to three-day period, and then the results are given to the doctor’s office or clinic. You will either get a call to review the results or schedule an appointment to get answers. Our lab is in our building. The techs who run it are ready to process your labs immediately. When your doctor orders a test, they begin work within minutes.
Note: Certain labs may require external testing, and those are few and far between. Most labs are processed in-house and ready before you are discharged from our facility.
Lab Testing We Offer in New Braunfels
Rapid Infection Testing
Our rapid diagnostic testing helps identify common infections quickly, allowing providers to determine the appropriate course of treatment. Testing may include:
- Strep throat testing
- Flu testing (Influenza A and B)
- RSV testing
- COVID-19 testing
- Mono testing
Comprehensive Blood Testing
Blood work is an important part of evaluating many emergency conditions. Lonestar 24 HR ER offers a variety of blood tests to help assess infection, organ function, inflammation, and other medical concerns, including:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Evaluates signs of infection, anemia, and certain blood disorders
- Basic and Comprehensive Metabolic Panels: Measure kidney function, liver function, electrolytes, and blood sugar levels
- Inflammation Markers (CRP and ESR): Help evaluate inflammation and possible infection
- Troponin Testing: Helps identify signs of heart muscle injury and is commonly used when evaluating chest pain
- D-dimer Testing: Helps assess the possibility of blood clots, including pulmonary embolism
- Lactate Testing: Helps evaluate patients with possible severe infection or sepsis
- Thyroid Testing: Evaluates thyroid hormone levels when medically necessary
- Liver Function Testing: Assesses liver health and function
- Lipase and Amylase Testing: Helps evaluate possible pancreas-related conditions
- Blood Cultures: Used when a serious infection or bloodstream infection is suspected
Urine Testing
Our emergency room laboratory can perform urine testing to help evaluate several conditions, including:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Kidney infections
- Pregnancy screening
- Drug screening and urine toxicology testing
Pregnancy and Women’s Health Testing
Lonestar 24 HR ER provides laboratory testing to support pregnancy evaluation and women’s health concerns, including:
- Quantitative HCG blood testing: Measures pregnancy hormone levels and can detect pregnancy earlier and more precisely than standard urine testing
- Pregnancy confirmation and viability evaluation
- Hormone testing when medically appropriate
Men’s and Sexual Health Testing
Our laboratory services also support evaluation of men’s and sexual health concerns, including:
- STD and STI testing
- UTI evaluation in men
- Prostate-related blood work when medically necessary
Drug, Alcohol, and Toxicology Testing
Emergency situations may require testing to identify possible exposure, ingestion, or medication-related concerns. Testing options may include:
- Blood alcohol testing
- Drug screening
- Prescription medication level testing, including medications such as lithium or digoxin
- Accidental ingestion and overdose evaluations
Additional Emergency Laboratory Tests
Depending on a patient’s symptoms and medical needs, additional testing may include:
- Glucose and diabetes-related testing
- Electrolyte testing, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium
- Coagulation testing (PT/INR), especially for patients taking blood thinners
- Arterial blood gas testing for serious breathing or metabolic concerns
If you are experiencing symptoms that require urgent evaluation, Lonestar 24 HR ER provides 24/7 emergency care with on-site laboratory testing to help diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions.
When to Come in for Lab Testing
Come in if you’re experiencing any of the following, and we can begin treatment today.
- Fever that won’t come down, or fever in a baby or immunocompromised person
- Sore throat, swollen glands, or trouble swallowing
- Cough, chills, body aches, suspected flu, RSV, or COVID
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal pain
- Painful urination, burning, or frequent urges
- Unexplained fatigue, weakness, or fainting
- Severe headaches
- Blood in urine, stool, or vomit
- Rapid heart rate or palpitations
- Confusion or sudden change in alertness
- Possible drug or medication overdose
- Pregnancy concerns — pain, bleeding, confirming pregnancy
- Suspected STD or STI
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Injury from an accident or fall
If you’re not sure what you need, just walk in and we can figure it out together.
The Benefits of Running Labs at Lonestar 24hr ER
- Results come back in minutes, not days Most rapid tests like strep, flu, RSV, COVID, pregnancy, and UTI will be ready in minutes. Blood work and cultures also come back during your visit. Your doctor orders these labs so he can diagnose you before you leave.
- An emergency physician reads your results No playing phone tag or scheduling an appointment days or weeks out. Your ER physician reads the results, explains what they mean, and creates a plan to get your treatment started immediately.
- Private, calm, and respectful Lab draws happen in a private room. If you don’t like needles or have difficult veins, our experienced team will make sure your blood draw is not painful. Our nurses have experience drawing blood for all ages, young and old.
- Safe testing for pregnant patients and children We use pregnancy-safe testing protocols. We will explain why, and what we’re ordering, including the safest option available for you or your child.
- No referrals, no waits You can walk in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No doctor’s order is required, and there is no long wait.
What to Expect When You Come to Lonestar 24hr ER
- Check-in is fast Walk in, give us your name and insurance info, and we will take you to a room. We have some of the
- fastest wait times in New Braunfels.
- The doctor orders only what’s needed An experienced emergency physician will examine you first, and only order the labs you need. We never waste your time, and we are transparent with our billing practices. If you have questions, feel free to ask — our team is happy to help.
- The draw itself is quick Most blood draws take a couple of minutes. Urine samples go to the lab within seconds. Rapid swabs (strep, flu, RSV, COVID) run right in the room. Our team has years of experience working in emergency rooms. You are in capable and skilled hands.
- Results come straight to your doctor There is no outside lab. Your emergency physician sees your results as they come in and updates you in real time.
- You leave with answers and a clear plan For most patients, we are able to diagnose and treat within the same visit. Prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy. We will also provide specialist referrals and home-care instructions as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral or an appointment? No, you can walk in any time. You do not need a referral or appointment.
Will my insurance cover ER lab work? Most major insurance plans cover lab testing when it’s necessary in an ER setting. We will bill your insurance directly. If you want to check a specific plan, please give us a call and we will be happy to help.
How fast are emergency lab results? Rapid test (strep, flu, RSV, COVID, pregnancy, UTI) results are back in minutes. Blood work and metabolic panels usually come back within 30–60 minutes. Blood cultures can take longer, but we’ll explain the timing if they are ordered.
Can I get STD / STI testing here? We regularly test patients for common STDs and STIs. We treat what we can on-site.
Is the lab safe for children? Our team is trained to work with kids, including little ones who are scared of needles. For pediatric blood draws, our team will use smaller needles and take less blood. Parents stay in the room the entire time.
I have difficult veins. Can you still draw from me? Yes, our team is made up of experienced emergency nurses and physicians. They know how to take blood regardless of your health or situation.
Can I get a copy of my results? Yes, we will give you a copy before you leave. We will send them to your doctor or a specialist upon request.
Is lab work safe for pregnant women? Yes, a blood and urine test is safe during pregnancy. Just tell us so we can order pregnancy-safe tests, ensuring we take care of you and your baby.
Do you do drug testing? Yes, we can for medical reasons (accidental ingestion, overdose screening, medication levels). We don’t do employment or court-ordered drug tests.
