The Health For All medical clinic in Bryan, which opened in 1987 to serve uninsured patients, has had to send lab tests to a third party for processing.
That changes this week with the donation of 15 testing machines.
Health For All director Liz Dickey tells WTAW News that “this is a game changer”.
Dickey said test results will be available in 15 minutes while patients are still at the clinic. Without their own testing equipment, results come back in 24 to 48 hours. That requires patients to return for further treatment.
Dickey says this also benefits the clinic’s volunteer medical providers, who order an estimated 30,000 tests a year.
A grant from the international health organization Heart to Heart also provides staff training, mentoring, technical support, and 12 months of supplies.
Click below to hear Liz Dickey’s interview with WTAW’s Bill Oliver:
Listen to “Health For All medical clinic is receiving lab testing equipment” on Spreaker.
News release from Heart to Heart International:
Heart to Heart International (HHI) announced today a point-of-care lab will be installed at Health For All in Bryan, Texas.
The HHI lab program aims to improve patient outcomes by implementing timely and accurate treatment protocols. Many Americans delay medical care due to cost and transportation barriers. HHI addresses these challenges by installing point-of-care laboratories in clinics allowing for quick, on-the-spot testing and results, enhancing diagnoses and patient outcomes. This testing is especially crucial for diagnosing and managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Health For All Executive Director Liz Dickey stated: “This new point-of-care lab will allow us to diagnose and treat patients more quickly and effectively—right here on site. For our uninsured patients, this means faster answers, fewer barriers, and better health outcomes. We’re so grateful to Heart to Heart International for helping us bring this level of care to our community.”
HHI Senior Vice President of Programs Tenagashaw (Tena) Tiruneh had this to say: “This partnership embodies our commitment to the goals of our laboratory program and supports our mission of improving access to equitable healthcare in medically under-resourced communities.”
HHI with support from BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will equip this health center with modern lab equipment, staff training, mentoring, technical support, and supplies and reagents for the first 12 months. All installed equipment becomes the clinic’s permanent property.
With the installation of a point-of-care lab at a free health clinic, patients don’t have to make additional arrangements for transportation or pay extra fees for lab testing. This approach effectively reduces barriers! Provides frequent testing at a patient’s health clinic promoting a higher level of engagement between the patients and their healthcare providers. and increases the likelihood of patients following clinical and treatment advice. Lab tests performed at the time of clinic visits allow for more efficient workflow processes, expeditious decision-making and a better treatment plan. Immediate availability of results allows patients to be treated and on their way to recovery.
HHI Director of the Laboratory Program Heidi Schutz added: “Heart to Heart International is excited for this opportunity to partner with Health for All as we continue to break down barriers to equitable access to healthcare in under-resourced communities by installing point-of-care laboratories in free and charitable clinics. With our POC Lab Program, Health for All will gain the instrumentation, reagents and supplies, training, and mentoring needed to enable them in providing rapid, accurate laboratory results to aid in diagnosis and treatment decisions for their patients all within the same visit.”
To learn more about HHI’s Laboratory Program, visit: Point of Care Laboratories – Support Heart to Heart International. For additional programs aimed at improving health access locally and globally please visit: hearttoheart.org
Heart to Heart International is a nonprofit international health organization with its headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas. Since its inception in 1992, HHI has delivered medical aid and supplies worth $3.2 billion to more than 130 countries, including within the United States. HHI responds to natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. The organization is a 4-star Charity Navigator charity, a BBB Accredited charity and is on the “Philanthropy 400.” To learn more, visit hearttoheart.org.