Quest Diagnostics to open more testing sites in grocery stores

Through Quest Diagnostics' partnership with Alberstons Cos., patient service centers are being added in certain grocery stores nationwide including the Randalls at 3131 W. Holcombe Blvd. Through Quest Diagnostics' partnership with Alberstons Cos., patient service centers are being added in certain grocery stores nationwide including the Randalls at 3131 W. Holcombe Blvd. Photo: Quest Diagnostics, Contributed Photo Photo: Quest Diagnostics, Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Quest Diagnostics to open more testing sites in grocery stores 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Quest Diagnostics, the world's largest diagnostic service, has expanded its program offering routine medical testing within grocery stores, adding two more Randalls locations in the Houston area in coming days, the company announced Monday.

The medical collection centers, tucked into grocery stores and offering basic testing and blood draws, are part of a nationwide partnership between Quest and the grocery giant Albertsons, parent company of Randalls. The idea, thought to be the first of its kind, is to allow shoppers one-stop convenience.

Patients either wait to be seen at the in-store centers or are given restaurant-style pagers that buzz when it is their turn so they can continue to shop, the company said.

"It allows us to reach people in the communities where they live and shop and gives them greater access to healthcare," said Keith ward, Quest's patient service director for the southwest region.

RELATED: Houston Randalls store works with Quest to provide medical tests

In all there will be six Houston area locations by the end of May. Two will open this week: 9420 College Park Dr., The Woodlands, and 12312 Barker-Cypress Rd. A location in Pearland at 10228 W. Broadway, opened in March. Three other locations, one in Katy and two in Houston, opened late last year.

Quest said it hopes to have 200 testing centers in grocery stores nationwide by year's end, including six more in the Houston region.

Walk-ins are welcome but the company urges people to make an appointments online to lessen wait times.