Laboratories like Tide Labs have an immeasurable impact on diagnostic and treatment decisions made by health care providers. Diagnostics testing is used in 70% of decision making by healthcare officials according to the CDC. But they do more than just help healthcare providers diagnose a disease. Here are some of the reasons that laboratory testing is valuable.
Lowering Costs By Diagnosing Earlier
Clinical laboratory tests help lower costs by saving time (and lives) with early detection capabilities. Molecular diagnostics have come a long way in helping physicians identify and treat diseases. By detecting diseases sooner, treatment can often be quicker and shorter than assisting a patient who may need more intensive treatment. For example, if a patient is identified with a virus, physicians can trace who they had contact with to prevent further spread of the virus, thus decreasing the number of patients who may need hospitalization.
Diagnosing diseases early can also reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions. This saves on costs, both because patients are introduced to the right antibiotic more quickly, but it also serves to reduce antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and viruses are not uncommon. It can take years, and a lot of money, to research and develop new antibiotics for resistant strains. You can learn more about Antibiotics and Antibiotic Stewardship from our partner DTPM.
Offering Personalized Medicine Based on Lab Testing Results
Because molecular testing can detect genetic information of diseases and identify the unique genetic profile of individuals, physicians can narrow down treatment options to exactly what the patient needs. This allows doctors to prescribe the right drug, at the right dose, at the right time.
Faster Results Means Faster Treatment
Testing through methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers test results faster than ever before. Once the process of testing begins, results are available at Tide Labs in 2 hours and are communicated to physicians using our Laboratory Information System (LIS). This
Stronger Local Economies By Providing Jobs
Most of America’s clinical laboratories support hundreds of thousands of employees across the nation. According to the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA), 80% of the nation’s 322,488 clinical labs are operating as small businesses. With a talent pool as far-ranging as pathologists, biochemists, and medical laboratory scientists, there is no doubt that these businesses help serve local economies.
