THE FOLLOWING IS A VA ILLIANA HEALTH CARE RELEASE
DANVILLE, Ill. – Starting September 30, 2023, VA Illiana no longer requires Veterans to fast prior to laboratory testing. This change empowers Veterans to get their labs done at their convenience during clinic business hours.
Non-fasting labs obtain accurate blood test results without overnight fasting for most blood tests. Some special blood tests may require fasting. VA Illiana health care teams will assess and instruct Veterans if they need to fast for a blood test prior to their appointment.
“Fasting for laboratory testing should be reserved for a handful of infrequent clinical circumstances,” said Dr. Shinymol Chacko, Assistant chief Ambulatory Care at VA Illiana. “As a high reliability organization, VA Illiana strives to keep Veterans safe and continues the commitment to zero harm. Non-fasting laboratory testing reduces incidences of fasting-evoked hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Additionally prolonged fasting may be a risk to Veterans because it may affect decision making.”
VA Illiana offers laboratory testing services as part of the comprehensive VA Health Benefits package provided to all enrolled Veterans. Veterans are encouraged to contact their VA health care team with individual questions about non-fasting laboratory tests.
About VA Illiana Health Care System
VA Illiana Health Care System provides services at 6 locations serving a 34-county area of central Illinois and west-central Indiana. Locations include the Danville VA Medical Center and 5 community-based outpatient clinics in Bloomington, Decatur, Mattoon, Peoria, and Springfield, Illinois. The VA Illiana Healthcare System is one of the leading health care systems serving Veterans in the VA Great Lakes Network. We’re an innovative care center within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 (VISN 12). VISN 12 includes medical centers and clinics in Wisconsin, Illinois, northwestern Indiana, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
