Direct Access Testing Nicole Lemieux MLS (ASCP) cm Jamestown Regional Medical Center

Overview • • • • JRMC Direct Access Testing (DAT) How to implement DAT Challenges

JRMC • • • • • Jamestown Regional Medical Center Located on I-94 in Jamestown, ND New facility in 2011 Critical Access Provide care to 55,000

Jamestown, ND • • • • • • Population 15,000 Three clinics – Sanford Health (two locations) – Essentia Health University of Jamestown VA Clinic Central Valley Health Unit North Dakota State Hospital/James River Correctional Center

Direct Access Testing • • • DAT- consumer initiated testing “Direct – to – consumer” “Patient - authorized”

Benefits • • • • • • • Lower out of pocket costs Allows for more frequent testing than insurance plans cover Quick turn around No appointment or doctor’s order Convenience Allows for more involvement in own health care But… not a substitution for an appointment with a provider

The Idea • • Started in 2011 Lots of research – Other facilities that do DAT – Internet – Direct Access Laboratories

Getting Started • • • Talk to your Medical Director Talk to your local providers Talk to your Administration

Early Obstacles • • • Getting providers onboard Picking tests Setting prices

Implementing • Marketing – Brochures – Radio – JRMC-U – Newspaper • Ads • Articles – Women’s Groups – Waiting Rooms, Hair Salons, Clinics, anywhere

Implementing • Logistics: – Patient presents to Admission • Must be at least 18 – Patient comes to Lab – Lab delivers results with Exit Care instructions – Hours: • Daily 7 am – 9 pm

Implementing • Billing – Payment required before services • Cash, credit card, check – Insurance not billed – May submit to flex programs or insurance companies • BC/BS coming on board soon

Tests Offered • • • • • • • • Influenza ($40) Lipid Panel ($30) TSH ($30) Clean Catch Urinalysis ($25) Hemoglobin A1C ($20) Rapid Strep ($20) ABO/Rh ($15) Pregnancy Test – Blood/Urine ($15)

Cost Calculation • • Tech time + cost of test + $5-10 Less than insurance prices

Challenges After Implementing • • • • • Getting the word out Explaining results What to do with results Physicians Hospital Employees

Patient Demographics • • • All ages – Mostly children Young families and college students Most popular tests: 1. Rapid Strep 2. Pregnancy 3. Clean Catch Urinalysis

Today • • Physical Therapy Direct Access Other Ancillary Departments – Radiology

What Comes Next?

• • • • Continued advertising – Radio – Community Events – Women’s Groups New Tests – UC, INR, chemistry, prenatal Tele Doc Constantly evolving

• Questions?

• Brochures, Exit Care, Order Forms, Contact Info

Thank you!

• Contact: – Mary Bowder, manager JRMC Laboratory • [email protected]

• 701-952-4779 – Nicole Lemieux • [email protected]