Blood tests are a critical part of the diagnostic process, but they are also time-consuming and inconvenient.

Laboratories rely on doctors to order blood tests for their patients, often requiring that patients go to a lab or hospital to get them done. Consequently, this arrangement gives doctors less control over how they are being carried out.

It is not easy getting blood samples from patients. Getting patients to comply is often more difficult than getting the samples themselves. A patient receiving frequent blood tests for PRP treatment has likely begun resenting them, making it easier for her to skip some tests.

Mobile services are changing this by introducing direct-to-consumer testing—they allow customers to order their lab tests online and receive results back on their mobiles.

Here are questions to ask while selecting a mobile blood lab.

1) What Kind of Tests Do You Offer?

Not all laboratories are set up to run the same tests, so an organization must provide the specific tests you’re interested in.

For instance, many laboratories can run simple blood chemistry panels that measure enzymes, electrolytes, and metabolites.

However, specific tests require special equipment to be run effectively—tests for Chlamydia or HIV might fall into this category. So, if you need a particular test that your current laboratory can’t run, it’s best to select another service.

2) How Fast Can You Give the Results?

Millions of patients get their blood tested every year for PRP treatment, and many of them may not understand the importance of prompt results.

To be effective, diagnostics must accurately reflect an individual’s condition. It is why doctors usually require that patients return in a week for follow-up tests and treatments after receiving abnormal test results—they want to see if the abnormality has disappeared.

If follow-up is impossible because of the delay, immediate corrective action might be necessary, potentially worsening the patient’s condition. Thus, the faster you can report results back to your doctor or healthcare provider, the better it will be for your health.

3) How Do You Handle Privacy and Security?

No laboratory can afford not to ensure its customers’ information privacy and security. Unfortunately, several laboratories have had their data breached over the years, compromising tens of thousands of patient records.

Mobile testing services implement secure cloud storage for customer data to keep this from happening.

The most valuable part is that they encrypt all patient information to even the service provider who cannot read it.

4) How Does Your Laboratory Operate?

Mobile blood test services are, well, mobile. Your laboratory will likely come to where you are—this reduces travel costs and saves your time. But how do they accomplish this feat?

Does their laboratory have enough equipment to handle your tests? What is the turnaround time for the results? Do they have a network of pharmacists or healthcare providers that can help with follow-up?

These questions will give you an idea about how much thought has gone into making the service work well.

5) How Much Will My Tests Cost?

The cost of a test plays a significant role in the service customers ultimately choose.

Some customers may consider their budget more important than anything else, and they may not mind paying extra to get what they want.

Not all laboratory testing is expensive, so it’s essential to determine how much your tests will cost before committing yourself to use that service.

6) How Do You Take Payments?

Making payments is often more accessible when the laboratory offers an online payment gateway. The most convenient arrangement would be paid via debit or credit card, but it’s also possible to pay with mobile money services in some cases.

While this may not seem important, you might end up needing your money elsewhere after getting your tests done.

7) What Are Your Laboratory’s Policies?

Laboratories handle a tremendous amount of sensitive data every day, but all the policies in the world won’t solve problems if their employees don’t follow them.

Ensure that your laboratory has internal control measures—it may be as simple as requiring employees to greet customers without headgear.

If they’ve made specific policies, make sure they are communicated to customers.

8) How Long Have You Been Around?

The longer a laboratory has been in business, the more likely its employees can provide high-quality services at reasonable prices.

And, of course, finding out the age of your laboratory’s business is an excellent way to ensure that you are not being scammed.