Have you ever been too sick to get up and yet the doctor insists that you get a blood or urine test?

That means having to drag yourself to the nearest diagnostic center, under this literally scorching summer heat!

You’d probably end up sicker than you started.

What to do?

Home Service Laboratory

Back in January, I came across a similar dilemma. FIL was feverish for days. With his age, the doctor wanted to be careful and ordered blood tests. I was alone with the kids at that time with no household help or driver.

I could bring FIL to have his blood tests but that would mean bringing along two young kids and a baby too!

Back then, I had wished that there was a way to do it at home. I called the diagnostic center but they said that their home service needs to be scheduled ahead of time.

Definitely not an option to wait.

Cardinal on Wheels

For some reason, Cardinal on Wheels crossed my mind. I’ve seen it on the road but have never tried it before and I actually wasn’t sure what it was for. I searched for their number and gave them a call. And just like that, they said they’d send the van right over with the required test kits.

Wow!

Less than an hour later, this pulled up on the driveway.

Inside, there was a driver and one medical staff.

After being shown the patient, the medical staff proceeded to do her work.

It was a simple blood extraction, much to the kids’ delight (?) LOL!

Service Fees

For the fees, I was actually relieved to learn that they charge the same price for the tests as in the hospital but you just have to add a certain fee (fee depends on the zone, see below) for the service at home. I had forgotten to ask about the fees on the phone and was preparing to be shocked.

It wasn’t so bad because my Uber trip back and forth from the hospital was nearly the same price. With this, we didn’t have to go out and had the luxury to rest at home. The results were also sent to me that same afternoon via email and a copy was also sent to the doctor. It was all so convenient!

They also extend the usual senior citizen/PWD discounts and they do accept credit cards.

Serviced Areas and Price

COW ZONE 1 (P250): San Juan, Shaw Blvd., Valencia, Horse shoe drive

COW ZONE 2 (P350): New Manila, Kamuning / Kamias, Cubao, E. Rodriguez, Mandaluyong, Pasig (Bagong Ilog, Bagong Katipunan, Bambang, Caniogan, Maybunga, Oranbo, Pineda, Rosario,Sagad, San Antonio), Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana

COW ZONE 3 (P550): Makati, Pasay, Malate, Pasig (Palatiw, Pinagbuhatan, Manggahan, Santolan), Quezon City (Proj 4,7,8, Bago bantay, Diliman, Katipunan, Del Monte, Visayas Ave.), Manila ( Legarda, Sampaloc, Sta Cruz)

COW ZONE 4 (P750): Quezon City (Commonwealth Ave., Batasan Road), Antipolo, Marikina (Malanday, SSS Village, Marcos Highway), Cainta, Taytay, Caloocan, Fairview, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon

Services

• Blood Typing
• Blood Chemistry
• Cardio Pulmonary Procedures
• Complete Blood Count
• Electrocardiography (ECG)
• Fecalysis
• Portable 2D Echo
• Pain & Palliative Care
• Urinalysis

Here’s their hotline, in case you need them too: 724-9477