2015 Health Fair to See Changes in Blood Draws
December 2014, Wrangell – As the year winds down and winter sets in, staff are already looking ahead to April 2015 and the annual Wrangell Medical Center Health Fair. The Health Fair has long been a place to learn about health-related resources, both within our community and beyond to the state and federal level.
In addition to the many agencies and groups who bring information to the the fair, another traditional 'activity' has been the special blood tests which take place during the fair. These tests include an overall Health Profile, a variety of specific screenings including Vitamin D, TSH, HA1C, and PSA (last year a Hepatitis C screening was offered as well).
This year, instead of the blood draws taking place during the health fair, the WMC lab will do the blood draws starting on Monday, February 23 and ending on March 25 (this will give them time to get the results compiled before the Health Fair). The lab will also open early, at 7 pm, on Tuesdays and Thursdays during these four weeks and will have additional hours on Saturday, February 28 and Saturday, March 14. The results of the blood draws will be available for pickup at the Health Fair on Saturday, April 4, 2015.
Wrangellites are welcome to come to the hospital at any time during regular hours (8am - 5 pm Monday - Friday) or during the special hours for their draws, but are encouraged to do so sooner than later to avoid the longer wait times associated with a 'last minute' rush! It is also important to be sure to follow the normal guidelines for fasting that are associated with these tests (please contact the lab at 874-7000 for more information about those guidelines and be sure to mention if you are diabetic or have other health concerns that might preclude fasting).
Your wait-time will also be shorter if you come to the hospital and pre-register for your blood draw - this allows staff to prepare the paperwork ahead of time and have it ready for you on the day of your draw.
"We are in a learning year" notes one of the Health Fair organizers, Kris Reed, "we hope that this new process will give Wrangellites greater flexibility in when to have their blood drawn as well as giving them the opportunity to get information from the vendors at the Health Fair that might relate directly to their results." Reed also added that any 'urgent results' that are found by the lab techs prior to the health fair will be conveyed immediately to the doctor.
Questions about the new process can be directed to Reed at 874-7196 or the front desk at 874-7000.
In addition to the many agencies and groups who bring information to the the fair, another traditional 'activity' has been the special blood tests which take place during the fair. These tests include an overall Health Profile, a variety of specific screenings including Vitamin D, TSH, HA1C, and PSA (last year a Hepatitis C screening was offered as well).
This year, instead of the blood draws taking place during the health fair, the WMC lab will do the blood draws starting on Monday, February 23 and ending on March 25 (this will give them time to get the results compiled before the Health Fair). The lab will also open early, at 7 pm, on Tuesdays and Thursdays during these four weeks and will have additional hours on Saturday, February 28 and Saturday, March 14. The results of the blood draws will be available for pickup at the Health Fair on Saturday, April 4, 2015.
Wrangellites are welcome to come to the hospital at any time during regular hours (8am - 5 pm Monday - Friday) or during the special hours for their draws, but are encouraged to do so sooner than later to avoid the longer wait times associated with a 'last minute' rush! It is also important to be sure to follow the normal guidelines for fasting that are associated with these tests (please contact the lab at 874-7000 for more information about those guidelines and be sure to mention if you are diabetic or have other health concerns that might preclude fasting).
Your wait-time will also be shorter if you come to the hospital and pre-register for your blood draw - this allows staff to prepare the paperwork ahead of time and have it ready for you on the day of your draw.
"We are in a learning year" notes one of the Health Fair organizers, Kris Reed, "we hope that this new process will give Wrangellites greater flexibility in when to have their blood drawn as well as giving them the opportunity to get information from the vendors at the Health Fair that might relate directly to their results." Reed also added that any 'urgent results' that are found by the lab techs prior to the health fair will be conveyed immediately to the doctor.
Questions about the new process can be directed to Reed at 874-7196 or the front desk at 874-7000.
