Okotoks Medical Laboratory

Nov 2022

The woman (I didn't catch her name) that took my bloods was wonderful. I explained to her that I was nervous as I have tricky veins, she was very understanding. She was gentle and kept checking that I was okay.

Nov 2015

In and done in under an hour for a sprained ankle - what a good experience! They have expanded their parking lot and we were surprised there was plenty of empty spots. Having heard such horror stories around Calgary, we were totally prepared for an unpleasant process that would take hours. However, no line up at all - all the staff were pleasant. No complaints whatsoever!

May 2011

Well, sometime this past weekend I shattered my knee and tibia... sometime on Monday I decided I better get it checked out (seriously, I just thought I had sprained my knee, so it was ice and elevation up to that point). When reality finally set in, it meant the dreaded trip to an "Urgent Care/Emergency Room" was about to begin. I could only procrastinate so long. So, I loaded up on Advil and caffeine, fully expecting hours of agonizing waiting room hell. I chose this Okotoks Urgent Care over others, as it is pretty new, it's close, and it's less busy than similar offerings in Calgary. It turns out this Centre was a very pleasant surprise!! Now, granted it was a weekday, but when I hobbled into the reception area on crutches, there were only 3 people waiting. Once I had registered, the others had already moved on, and I was literally the lone person in the waiting room. Marvelling at the emptiness, I struggled to get my butt into a chair for the unknown wait (they talk about 12 hours in Calgary)... but before I had barely settled in, they were calling me for an examination. So back to my feet (foot) I fumbled. Anyhow, the examination, the wait for X-rays, the wait or ortho inspection /surgery decision, all took place in my own personal "cast room," reclining on a bed. They gave me pillows and ice packs. I just about nodded off a few times, it was so relaxing. The Dr., nurses, and X-ray technician, were all VERY nice, friendly, and unrushed. Not bitter, frazzled, and indifferent, which is what I was expecting from health care horror stories I read about. The facility? New, modern, and self contained. No need to go elsewhere for an X-Rays, it was right across the hall. The building itself also had a warmer, calmer decor, compared to most clinical environments I'm used to. Overall, I was very impressed. From the moment I walked in the door, it contradicted many of my preconceived ideas about health care in our province. I realize patient volume is much lower here than in Calgary, but that was a good thing. Why not 5 stars then? Parking. The parking lot is small, and minimal parking on the street exists. It took me several passes through the lot and street, a few waits in the strip mall next door, a pass through a fast food drive thru, before I FINALLY found a spot relatively close (but still not in the designated lot). It's likely that a lot of patients need to park at the nearby Canadian Tire just to park at all (remember, it wasn't that busy, but the lot was full). But being by myself at the time, with only a pair of crutches, that amount of distance was just too much. So all I was willing to do was wait. It paid off for me, and after that, all was good. Based on my experience, I recommend this facility -- but if you are in rough shape, it's best you secure a ride for drop off and pick up first.