I Hate Needles and Blood Tests!

With so much technology today, why do we continue to use pain inflicting needles for blood withdrawal?

Although someone in the world might enjoy the needle, a majority of us would certainly appreciate a less painful approach. And perhaps, pay more for avoiding the needle -- I certainly would.

A majority of patients strongly dislike having a needle piercing their skin because it causes discomfort and pain. This is even more challenging for a young child or elderly person who can be more sensitive. In addition to pain, a mistake could happen when the lab technician draws your blood. The technician might draw an insufficient amount of blood, drop a vile, wrongfully insert the needle or use a dirty needle. The point is -- what other testing alternatives are available for diagnostic blood tests?

The various non-invasive blood test alternatives available today are:

• Saliva Samples (drugs, DNA, HIV, more)
• Electromagnetic Sensors (diabetes patients)
• Stool Occult Tests (colon)
• Breathe Test (lungs, asthma)

I'm sure other forms of testing exist but I'll use this list as a starting point for discussion.

Benefits

Let's take the saliva sample as an example. Imagine going into the lab for a routine blood test and instead of nervously waiting in a cold chair with your sleeve rolled up, the technician only takes a sample of your with saliva with a cotton swab. The anxiety goes away. The process is simplified. The pain is non-existent. And it's probably a lot quicker than drawing blood.

What if technology advanced and you could use non-invasive lasers to perform diagnostics? The technician just has to push the button on the machine. The data is automatically uploaded onto the computer and the results are completed near real-time. Then the lab sends the results electronically to you and your doctor. Imagine knowing you were allergic to pollen before your doctor did. You could spend time researching the various allergy medications and procedures before your next doctor appointment to have a better conversation on how you should deal with pollen. Furthermore, you read up on temporary solutions before your next doctor appointment. And most importantly, the test was painless!

Conclusion

I am not a doctor but I am someone deeply committed to modernizing healthcare. The next leap forward has to be driven by you, the member. Although I believe Hilary or Obama will lead us into healthcare reform, it is the members' voice that will ultimately take us into the next generation. Non-invasive blood tests are just one example of how we can improve the system by providing everyone a better and less painful experience. It is also another example of how we can empower the member by giving them more information.

What will healthcare look like in 2020?

My first blog! This is exciting.

As a healthcare consultant for the last 5 years and someone who's heard healthcare become a pressing issue, I realize that we are in a pivotal moment in time. This is the time when healthcare moves into the next generation. People are demanding change: the government, consumers (members and employers), and health plans. The agenda is sizzling and the topics include:

• Universal coverage
• Lower premiums and deductibles for the insured
• A possible shift toward individual or employer mandated insurance
• Tax credits or subsidies to supplement health insurance costs
• Increased consumerism or cost transparency through the use of HSAs & HRAs and high deductibles
• Reforming the U.S. system to look like Canada, England or Cuba

These are all pressing topics and frankly no one has the right answer to fix our problems. I don't intend to discuss these potential solutions in this blog, but I would like to know is:

WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU HAVE WITH YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE?

I have consulted with major health plans throughout California and I can tell you there is a major initiative to modernize the way you look at, perceive and receive health insurance. In an era of computers and technology, health insurance and healthcare is playing a catch up game. Health insurers are making a valiant effort, although it may seem slow, to give you more information on a more timely basis and in a more simplified format.

However, there are still holes in the system needing patches. For example, I can go on the internet and find hundreds of reviews for a local restaurant, where I may spend $20 for a meal. This site may even give me $$$ scales to reflect cost or *** ratings to indicate quality. Yet, finding a review for a primary care physician or a pediatrician is almost impossible to find on the internet. A doctor visit is much more personal and expensive than dining at a restaurant. I should be able to find pertinent and resourceful information at the click of a mouse. Why is finding a good doctor only through word of mouth? This is one pet peeve I have about healthcare. What are yours? What do you expect your health insurance company to offer in the year 2020?