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 Strep2.Pregnancy3.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• mbowder@jrmcnd.com• 701-952-4779

– Nicole Lemieux• nlemieux@jrmcnd.com