3 Ways Getlabs Improves Patient Access

Is patient access improving? According to the data, it certainly seems that way.

Investments in digital health reached an all-time high in 2021 with a staggering $30.9 billion in venture capital, nearly double the amount of the previous year. One of the main categories for these investments are digital health technologies and solutions to improve patient access - which is good news for everyone.

Improving patient access builds and sustains healthy communities. After all, when patients become active participants in their healthcare, everyone benefits. A few key benefits of improved patient access include:

• Builds patient engagement
• Improves patient satisfaction
• Better preventative care decreases emergent situations
• An overall decrease in costs for both patients and healthcare providers
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So, what is patient access, and how is Getlabs improving patient access? Let’s find out.

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‍What is patient access?

In the simplest of terms, patient access refers to empowering patients to better manage and take ownership over their health.

We’ve seen several advances in patient access in recent years. For example, digital health tools like online scheduling, patient portals, and transparency solutions like physician ratings and reviews, enable patients more control over when, where, and how they receive care.

Similarly, the surge in telehealth adoption increased patient access by providing a convenient and affordable way to see a physician virtually. Even now, telehealth utilization is 38X higher than it was pre-pandemic - a signal that many health systems recognize as a sign that patients want and will utilize convenient healthcare solutions.

Mobile phlebotomy services, like Getlabs, also improve patient access. Rather than visiting a lab or doctor’s office for lab draws, patients can book lab draws from the comfort and convenience of their home or office.

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Here are three ways Getlabs improves patient access.

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‍1. Convenience

Convenience is king. It influences many of our decisions, like how we shop, where we work, to even how we receive care. Unsurprisingly, 70% of healthcare consumers would consider switching to another provider that offered more appealing services, like convenient access to routine healthcare services.

With a team of experienced mobile phlebotomists, Getlabs improves patient access by offering a convenient solution to receive blood or lab draws. By removing common barriers like conflicts with work and finding reliable childcare with alternative solutions to access blood and lab draws, patients are more likely to engage with their health.

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2. Improved Patient Accessibility

According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), 3.6 million patients go without care because they cannot access transportation to their providers. However, transportation isn’t the only barrier preventing patients from accessing care.

For example, homebound, elderly, immunocompromised, those with special needs like autism, and even patients afraid of needles all experience significant challenges and barriers to access care. Solutions like telehealth have helped bridge the accessibility gap, but it still doesn’t address historically in-person healthcare services like blood or lab draws.

By delivering healthcare directly to the patient, Getlabs removes many of the accessibility barriers and improves access to care for millions of patients.

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3. Affordability

Cost and affordability are huge factors in determining whether patients choose to seek care. In fact, more Americans fear medical bills than they do serious illness, with nearly 40% of Americans skipping a recommended medical test due to cost. Additionally, a 2020 NHIS survey found that adults who are in worse health are twice as likely than those with better health to delay or go without care due to cost reasons.

Getlabs offers an affordable solution for patients to access lab and blood tests.

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Get At-home Blood Testing with Getlabs

Improving patient access is a critical component to building and sustaining healthy communities. As the nationwide leader in delivering healthcare anywhere, Getlabs improves patient access by bringing convenient, accessible, and affordable healthcare directly to the patient.

With over 5,000 different lab tests available, Getlabs enables patients to book a nearby phlebotomist for many of the tests doctors may recommend. To learn more about Getlabs, visit www.getlabs.com/faq to learn more.