Regular blood tests are essential for identifying and monitoring a variety of diseases, but locating a lab that can produce good results can be time-consuming. The development of technology has aided healthcare professionals in making diagnostic procedures for patients as simple as possible. For anyone who is sick of standing in long lines at labs for their turn, having blood sample collection from home is now the new norm.
Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, fewer people are having blood drawn and having testing done in labs. As a result, more patients choose to have their blood samples drawn at home or sample collection at home. In an effort to stop the coronavirus from spreading, many patients are delaying necessary tests and treatments. A 40% decrease in phlebotomy appointments and blood test volumes has been reported by several labs. For instance, Likhitha Diagnostics reported a noticeable drop in test volumes in the latter two weeks of March 2020 with a rapid rise in blood sample collection from home.
Health institutions have adopted new procedures and technology as a result of these changes, allowing patients to safely do blood collection or sample collection at home. In order to lessen patient exposure to the disease during the coronavirus pandemic, more healthcare practitioners are utilising telehealth, a virtual form of healthcare that enables virtual interactions with patients. Up to 85% of doctors who participated in an April 2020 poll said they saw patients through phone or video. Additionally, the poll revealed that 77% of the participating doctors favoured the move to telemedicine.
The need for remote blood collection and testing has grown as a result of the desire to communicate with patients and clinical trial participants while they are secure at home. While some labs are quick to implement techniques that would allow testing of remote blood samples, others are more cautious. But given that the pandemic is still going strong, blood sample collection from home and testing may become the new norm.
Consider these 5 benefits of remote blood collection:
1. Ease of Access
Patients who live distant from metro areas no longer need to visit to medical institutions for blood draws thanks to home sample collection. By using telehealth technology like wireless cardiac monitors and remote devices, doctors can remotely monitor patients and issue blood test orders that can be executed using patient-collected samples. Additionally, patients have more access to their doctors than ever before because platforms like GoToMeeting, Zoom, and others that enable email and video chats.
2. Comfiness
Utilizing proprietary volumetric absorptive micro sampling technology, the Likhitha Diagnostics takes minute, volumetrically precise blood samples on its absorbent tip. The technique enhances the patient experience because it is less unpleasant and stressful than venipuncture blood draws and is simpler to use than other self-sampling devices. Patients can obtain accurate blood samples at home, reducing the number of visits required for follow-up medical care, such as therapeutic drug monitoring.
3. Convenience
Clinical trials will continue to play a crucial role in research even after the pandemic. When trial volunteers are unable to visit the trial facility, home sample collection offers a handy alternative.
Participants can book a home blood sample collection and an expert will be sent to your homes. Expert medical assistants return with their blood samples through mail to NIH for laboratory evaluation.
4. Safety
The collection of blood remotely encourages patient and healthcare professional safety. Patients do not need to go to a clinic to get their blood drawn or tested. Instead, collection kits for drawing blood are mailed to the patient. Patients send their samples to the lab for analysis by mail in the provided envelope.
Traditional blood draws are being quickly replaced by the patient-centric approach to blood collection. Phlebotomists are still sent by a small number of healthcare institutions to patients’ homes to provide mobile lab services when necessary, however this practise entails considerable safety risks. Simple at-home blood collection kits with the diagnostic centres like Likhitha Diagnostics to assist lower the danger of exposure for individuals and medical personnel.
5. Viability
Many doctor’s offices, clinics, and labs have been compelled to cut staff hours, lower compensation, and suspend 410(k) matching because patients are refusing in-person blood draws and lab testing. Many healthcare institutions who are unable to quickly adopt telehealth and the technologies that support it are suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Clinics, labs, and other healthcare businesses won’t need to implement such significant business changes when they can switch to remote blood collection and testing solutions. In today’s world, doctors who embrace telemedicine nevertheless require labs and employees who can analyse distant test samples.
The process of home sample collection is patient-centred. Few healthcare organisations send phlebotomists to patients’ homes to do lab testing there when necessary. If necessary, you can also request a doctor visit at your home. It is suggested that you should go for a full body health checkup at least once a year.
In order to collect lab samples at the patient’s convenience at their home or place of business, Likhitha Diagnostics is prepared to send home healthcare specialists. All you have to do is submit an appointment request form now!