ExecutiveChronicles.com | How to Select the Best Location to Do Your Laboratory Tests | Are you feeling ill lately? Are there symptoms affecting you that seem like they’ll never go away?
If so, your first instinct is likely to go to the doctor’s office. In many cases, a doctor can diagnose the issue and prescribe medication or treatment. However, sometimes you have to take additional steps.
One of those steps may be getting laboratory tests. While these may feel intimidating or worrying, laboratory tests are standard practice for medical businesses.
When you need a lab test, you often have several labs to choose from. So, the question is, how do you choose the right lab?
Secure medical testing relies on choosing the best lab available. In this guide, we’ll explore what factors to consider before deciding on a lab for your tests. Let’s get started!
Find an Accredited Lab for Your Laboratory Tests
Finding an accredited lab for your medical testing is the best place to start. When a lab has accreditation, it means they have successfully met several standards evaluating their quality and procedural operations.
A lab doesn’t require third-party accreditation to be successful. However, if a lab has accreditation, it gives the patient peace of mind. Search for endorsements from programs like The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.
Look for Expertise in Your Lab Test Conductors
If there’s anything more important than accreditation, it’s expertise. If you go to an advanced testing laboratory, you want the people conducting your tests to be experts in their field.
So, how do you determine if somebody has the expertise you need? Generally, all you need to do is ask about past testing. You can also speak to those who will conduct your test to ask about their methods and experience.
Ensure They Have the Services You Need
Pragmatically speaking, this is the essential feature of a medical testing facility. A lab may have top-notch accreditation, but if they don’t have the services you need, it won’t help you.
Learn from your physician precisely what tests you need and if they know a lab that specializes in that testing. For example, a doctor may send you to a blood testing laboratory.
Another standard test is getting X-rays. Often, you’ll see labs that include X-ray services listed as Labs/X-ray facilities.
However, finding a lab that offers your required service doesn’t mean you need tunnel vision. Depending on your circumstances, you may require further services and testing in the future. So, it’s helpful for you to find labs that offer a wide breadth of services besides the one you currently need.
How Soon Will You Get Your Results?
Turnaround time is a critical factor in the medical world. You don’t want to wait for six weeks before you get the results of your lab tests.
Instead, prepare yourself by determining what this lab’s usual turnaround time is. If this timeline fits your needs, that makes the lab more useful for you.
Also, be sure to ask about how often they need to repeat or redo work. Sometimes a lab has an excellent initial turnaround time, only for you to discover they rush their results. Once you’ve determined their accuracy and speed, decide if the lab is right for you.
Look for a Lab Near You
Logistically, it’s helpful if the lab you choose is in your general area. A close location is helpful if you need to return to the lab for any follow-up testing or pick up physical test results. Likewise, it saves you money on transportation.
However, depending on where you live, the ideal lab may not be close to you. In such cases, don’t let convenience outweigh your health. If you’re concerned about transportation costs, factor them into your budget and evaluate if you can afford them.
Investigate Their Technology
In the sciences, newer is almost always better. If you have two lab options and one uses the most recent technology, choose that lab.
Recent technologies process your data more effectively to provide top-quality and precise results. Updated technical instruments also help reduce the chances of human error.
Many laboratories claim to use the most recent technology, but this is often a generalization. Investigate what specific technology they utilize before you trust their claim.
When investigating their technology, don’t stop at their hardware. Learn whether the office utilizes software like patient portals. A patient portal allows for more streamlined contact between a medical office and patients.
Moreover, many patient portals allow offices to post lab test results online. As a patient, you can check these results instantly, allowing you to save time.
Lastly, ensure that this lab uses the best security measures available to protect your data and privacy. Unfortunately, a significant black market exists for people’s medical data. Many hackers find ways to steal data through an office’s software.
Make sure your data won’t be in danger. If your lab does use a patient portal, clarify what security measures they have in place. Likewise, ask them if they’ve ever experienced a data breach before.
What Insurance Policies Do They Provide?
How does this lab handle insurance? Will you have to pay out of pocket for their services, or will your insurance cover everything?
This factor is a crucial consideration for many patients. Learn whether you can expect help from your insurance provider for your financial burdens. Also, ask if the lab offers any coverage for patients.
Find Referrals for a Lab
If you need lab tests, ask your doctor if they can recommend a lab for you. Alternatively, spend time researching a lab online. Find patient reviews that indicate whether you can trust this laboratory.
Find a Place to Undergo Your Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests aren’t something to fear. They’re often standard procedures that help a doctor discover more about your condition.
All you have to do is find a lab you can trust. With these tips, you’ll have a better chance of finding that facility soon.
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