5 Use Cases for Mobile Phlebotomy

Healthcare providers have traditionally asked patients to come to them for help. However, for many patients, traveling to a medical facility is a task easier said than done. Fortunately, there has been a shift in recent years towards making healthcare more accessible by delivering care directly to the patient in their home.

One such solution is mobile phlebotomy, which bring phlebotomists directly to the home for anything from blood draws to collecting samples for lab tests. There is no shortage of patients that benefit from increased access to care, but here are 5 use cases for mobile phlebotomy.

‍

1. Patients Afraid of Needles

Let’s face it, no one likes getting stuck by a needle, regardless of whether it’s for a vaccine, blood work, or donating blood. However, for 25% of the population, needles aren’t just a minor inconvenience; they’re  a serious phobia that leads millions of patients to avoid medical treatment for fear that it may require a shot or blood work.

Blood tests and lab draws are an important part of healthcare, and finding ways to cope with this fear is critical to your overall health. That’s why patients with a fear of needles benefit from mobile phlebotomy. They can receive a blood draw in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by loved ones, in a familiar and relaxed environment.

‍

2. Children

Most children would rather check under the bed for monsters than get poked with a needle. Medical tests can be scary, especially if blood or lab work is involved. That’s why many medical facilities often advise parents to use a few coping strategies to make the process easier, like distracting them with a toy or creating a calm environment, to name a few.

Mobile phlebotomy services combine all these strategies, with the added benefit of coming directly to the home. Not only is the child surrounded by their own toys and a familiar environment, but it’s easier to schedule the appointment when they’re less likely to be tired or hungry.

‍

3. Homebound Patients

A significant portion of the patients in the United States are homebound, or unable to leave the home without a considerable amount of assistance. In fact, the prevalence of homebound patients is steadily increasing, from 1.9 million in 2019 to an estimated 4.2 million in 2020. Without easy access to office-based care or health services, mobile phlebotomy services bridge the healthcare gap and ensure these patients receive the care they need by coming directly to them.

‍

4. Patients with Unreliable Transportation

Reliable transportation plays an important role in sustaining healthy communities and creating positive health outcomes. After all, when it’s easier for individuals to access healthcare services, they’re more likely to attend follow up appointments and invest in preventative care. Unfortunately, each year, a staggering 3.6 million Americans miss out on medical care due to transportation issues.

By bringing healthcare directly to the home, mobile phlebotomy services increase access to healthcare services for patients without reliable transportation. In fact, Getlabs provides coverage to over 50 U.S. markets and is constantly growing. If you’re without reliable transportation, take a look at our list of cities and see if we serve your area.

‍

5. Patients with Special Needs

There are plenty of special circumstances that would make it difficult to draw blood from a patient in a typical manner. Autistic patients might not do well with the added stimulation from a doctor’s office or lab, or be able to sit still in the waiting room for long periods of time. Immunocompromised patients may feel unsafe visiting a healthcare facility. Whatever the case, mobile phlebotomy services can accommodate patients who may need a little bit extra care when receiving a blood draw or lab work.

‍

Of course, these 5 aren’t the only use cases for mobile phlebotomy. Any patient, from parents to those with busy schedules or individuals who simply want to avoid commuting, can benefit from mobile phlebotomy services like Getlabs.

If you want to learn more about partnering with Getlabs, visit www.getlabs.com/partners.