Before the pandemic, patients would meet their physician for medical diagnosis and routine check-ups. After getting prescription for tests, they would visit a lab for providing them samples for tests and they would provide reports on these samples. However, online and on phone appointments have become the new normal these days. Not only hospitals and healthcare facilities have reached their saturation point but each time patients make an onsite visit, it substantially increases their chances of getting infected by corona. Healthcare institutes have changed their traditional methods to incorporate safer procedures for blood sample collection services.

At the moment, patients can get their tests done through by calling home service phlebotomist or do a self-managed sample collection. Both of them offer benefits which are discussed below:

Pros of Opting for Home Service Phlebotomist
Different labs offer blood sample collection at home facility. When a patient is unable to visit labs due to his/her condition, lab sends a phlebotomist to their home for collecting samples for tests. Patient makes an appointment through their website or phone number and the home service phlebotomist will visit their home at the scheduled time. The lab technician follows all the protocols for drawing samples to safely transporting them to the lab for generating test reports.

Obtaining services of phlebotomist at home is best for patients who are elderly, suffering from chronic conditions or having mobility challenges. This type of services is also convenient for nursing facilities or healthcare units as they often face problems in taking their residents to labs for sample collection. Additionally, patients having a busy routine or access issues can also take advantage of in-home phlebotomist services.

Pros
Wet Blood Collection: When patients opt for home service phlebotomist, he/she will directly draw blood from their veins by using venepuncture. This traditional approach is best for collecting wet blood sample. It is usually applied when physician has prescribed a complete blood panel.

Removes Need of Waiting: Patients can provide their sample in the comfort of their home and at time which is most suitable for them. This method removes the hassle of waiting and exposure to other diseases.

Flexible Timings: In-home phlebotomy services allows patients to schedule their appointment as per their convenience. This feature is particularly handy for residents at healthcare facilities as they have strict schedule to follow.

Eliminates Need of In-person Visits: Patients do not have to visit the lab so it almost eliminates the need of using transportation. Lab technician uses own transportation vehicle to visit patients’ home.

Pros of Self-Managed Blood Collection
Quite recently, healthcare departments have initiated self-managed blood collection procedures for patients. The most effective technique available is VAMS® method. It is basically volumetric absorptive microsampling. In this method, patient has to use a finger-stick procedure to collect sample of one or two drops from fingertips. The resultant blood is absorbed on Mitra® device. This device is used in combination with VAMS to provide exact blood sample for getting test results.

Pros
Dry Blood Sample Collection: Self-managed sample collection uses dry blood sample. It is vital for sample stability and its hassle-free transportation. Labs are equipped to process this sample for analysis. Wet blood sample requires great care in storage and transportation to labs.

Less Invasive Procedure: As compared to venepuncture, this method is less invasive. Self-managed test kits come with lancets which are handy in pricking fingertip for collection sample. This process minimizes anxiety and discomfort as its quick and needs minimal preparation.

Less Risk of Contamination: Dry sample collection eliminates the need of special storage protocols and reduces the risk of contamination. Such samples remain stable in uncertain conditions such as hot temperatures and humidity.

Final Verdict
Home service phlebotomist is the most accurate procedure. First of all lab technicians are highly trained and skilled individuals. They know all the storage and transportation protocols. Also, they come equipped with all the necessary tools for the safety of your sample. Patients without having any knowledge of lab techniques are not suitable for collecting their own blood. This procedure should be used as a last resort.

The life of professional athletes isn’t easy. They have to participate in intensive exercises and training activities constantly to deliver maximum performance in front of an audience.

While these activities are crucial for athletes to stay in shape, they can also damage their body.

Sports medicine is a growing healthcare field dedicated for treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise like fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains, tendonitis, overtraining syndrome and degenerative diseases.

Besides injury treatment, it also focuses on helping the athletes improve their performance prevent future injuries.

Despite being a relatively new medical specialty, it has become essential for athletes thanks to its ability to address their specific needs and concerns.

Who is a Sports Medicine Doctor?

A sports medicine doctor is a licensed and trained individual who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries related to athletic activities.

These specialists treat their patients using physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, massage therapy, exercises, and other techniques so that they can return to their desired activity level quickly, safely and successfully.

They also teach the athletes on nutrition to help them maintain an optimal level of health and fitness and achieve their sports performance goals.

The sports medicine team includes sports physiotherapists, sports massage therapists, sports orthopaedic surgeons, sports podiatrists, athletic trainers, sports dieticians, exercise physiologists and sports biomechanists.

Common Sports Injuries:

Some common sports injuries athletes suffer on the filed include ankle sprain, groin pull, hamstring strain, knee injury, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis, concussion, shoulder injury, hip bursitis, quadriceps strain and shin splints.

They can also experience the exacerbation of pre-existing health problems like diabetes, asthma, allergies and arthritis.

Reasons to Visit a Sports Medicine Doctor:

There are many reasons for an athlete to see a sports physician.

Let’s take a look at some of them.

(1) Customized Care:

Sports medicine doctors are specially trained healthcare professionals who have an in-depth understanding of what could be the impacts of an exercise on their patient’s body. They collaborate with physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons to develop a customized treatment for their patient.

(2) Injury Prevention:

Sports physicians can provide the athletes with expert advice on the how to prevent injuries during the practice or play and how to reduce the likelihood of resurfacing a previous injury. They also conduct pre-participation physical exams of their patients to determine whether they are fit enough to resume sports activities.

(3) Pain Management:

Sports injuries may lead to several orthopedic issues that often cause chronic pain, making it difficult for the athletes to return to the game and carry out their activities.

While the primary aim of sports physicians is always to diagnose, treat and resolve the injury, they also use pain management therapies like electrical stimulation, spinal decompression, prescription medications and injected medications, to help their patients prevent or defer the need for surgery and continue their daily activities without any hindrance.

(4) Rehabilitation:

For an athlete, a return from an injury can be a complicated and lengthy process. If you find yourself sidelined by an injury, a sports physician can help you restore your movement and function and return to same or higher level of fitness quickly.

(5) Improving Athletic Performance:

Sports physicians diagnose and treat uncomfortable conditions to help you deliver your maximum performance, both on and off the field.

They also suggest you exercises and techniques to improve your strength and balance that contribute to your success as an athlete.

(6) Improving overall Fitness:

Sports physicians help athletes prevent muscle sprains, strains and tears to keep their bodies in shape.

They also conduct full body and musculoskeletal examinations to help them maintain their overall fitness.

(7) Non-Surgical Treatment:

Sports physicians try to avoid surgery in less severe cases and instead focus on treating injuries with non-surgical methods like physical therapy and acupuncture.

These treatments are often non-invasive and require shorter recovery time.

(8) State-of-the-Art Surgical Treatment:

In the cases where surgery is indispensable, sports physicians use advanced surgical procedures, like arthroscopic ACL repair, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, hip arthroscopy, stem cell therapy and rotator cuff repair to restore the function of injured areas.

(9) Education & Nutrition:

Sports medicine doctors teach you how to fuel your body properly to deliver greater performance consistency.They also focus on each athlete’s dietary needs depending on his/her general health and athletic goals.

(10) Rehabilitated Mobility:

Sports injuries can impair your mobility and flexibility, thus preventing you from conducting your athletic activities. Sports physicians help you restore function, increase strength and flexibility, improve range of motion, and prevent injuries from occurring.

(11) Improving Confidence:

An athlete fights with different type of injuries on the field that could make him/her self-conscious. Sports physicians address their specific needs, thus helping them regain their confidence and enjoy their game.

MaxWell Medical is one of the best medical care facilities in New York with experienced health professionals whose mission is to provide personalized attention to patients. We are the expert in pain-relieving therapies and rehabilitation. We offer different solutions to improve your health with pain relieving treatments to improve the quality of your life. That is why we put at your service a magnificent portfolio of professionals to evaluate your symptoms and provide the best medical treatments.