When you schedule a blood test for a patient, make sure their blood is ready for testing. Go over these preliminary steps with them and explain the reasoning behind those steps. Here’s how to ensure accurate blood test results—work with the patient and stay on the same page.
Fasting
The bloodstream absorbs nutrients and essential minerals from food. If your patient has a full meal too close to the time of their test, their blood will have all sorts of different things in it. For blood glucose and cholesterol tests, fasting overnight is generally the best practice. Other tests don’t require total fasting. For example, if you’re preparing a patient for a creatinine test, they may want to avoid cooked meals. Ask your patient if they take any vitamins or supplements; they might need to stop taking them for a day or two to avoid affecting the results.
Activity Changes
Strenuous exercise too close to the time of testing can alter those results, like putting up a false flag for high HDL (high-density lipoproteins—the “good” cholesterol). Have your patient hold off on workouts for a day or two before the test. Plenty of rest, healthy meals (before fasting), and avoiding alcohol and smoking will also help provide accurate test results.
Hydration
Encourage drinking lots of water, either sparkling or still. Consistent hydration increases blood volume! Make sure they’ve got plenty to spare. Hydrated veins are also plumper and easier to find; the blood draw will be easy. Perform the test with wholesale medical supplies from American Screening Corp for a hassle-free testing process.
Encourage Honesty
Fasting can be hard, and it’s not a sign of weakness to eat when you’re hungry. Emphasize the importance of honesty in the testing process, and encourage them to call you if they’ve broken their fast before the test. Rescheduling isn’t the end of the world. Your office is a judgment-free zone; they should feel comfortable disclosing any drug use or fear of needles. You’ll be able to provide more effective treatment if you know exactly what’s going on with them, and they’ll trust you more as a professional seeking the truth.
When you perform a blood test, work with your patient to ensure that the results are as accurate as possible. You and your patient should have a clear line of communication throughout the entire process. With American Screening’s bounty of wholesale medical supplies, you’ll have the perfect help to ensure accurate blood test results.
