Blood Draw Dilemma: New Summit Health Article Helps Employers Choose the Best Screening Method

Southfield, MI / March 3, 2010 — In its latest white paper, Summit Health “draws” upon 10 years of experience with over 3 million blood tests to help employers choose the best method for their wellness strategy and workplace culture.

The extensive new article is titled “Health Screenings: Fingerstick or Venous Blood Draw?” and authored by Richard Penington, president, CEO and founder of Summit, the nation’s highest-rated provider of on-site preventative wellness programs. While some may get queasy at the sight of blood, Summit Health takes a clear-eyed approach to the subject and lays out the advantages and drawbacks of the two health screening methods.

“Companies across the United States are implementing employee wellness programs at an unprecedented rate,” said Penington. “We’re often asked which is the best test method for a health screening—the fingerstick or venous blood draw?” said Penington. “The truth is we support both methods. However, the real answer depends on the company’s wellness program goals and objectives. This paper will help employers examine the differences and clear up common misperceptions.”

The paper covers the advantages and disadvantages of each method, including:
• Accuracy and consistency of both methods
• How they meet state and federal regulations
• How each method affects employee participation
• Return on investment (ROI) impact to wellness programs

To download the complimentary paper, visit Summit Health at http://www.summithealth.com/about_downloads.html

In the article, Penington writes that while the majority of Summit clients have selected the fingerstick method for their on-site health screenings, that doesn’t guarantee the approach will be the best fit for all companies.

“Employers select fingersticks almost three times more frequently than they choose venous blood draw for their on-site health screenings. One may think that fingersticks are selected more frequently because they cost less; however, that isn’t necessarily true,” he added. “Likewise, some believe that the venous blood draw gives results that are more accurate because the blood is sent to a lab for testing. That’s also not necessarily true . . . fingerstick methods have been proven as accurate as commercial laboratory methods. We recommend one over the other based on the type of results that the employer is seeking.”

About Summit Health, Inc.

Founded in 1999, Summit Health is now the nation’s highest rated provider of on-site wellness programs, including health screenings, immunizations, coaching, and educational seminars. This focus on quality of service has earned Summit Health customers who include all the leading health plans and over 80 Fortune 500 companies. Summit Health supports all sizes of companies in every zip code. Summit Health differentiates itself through excellence in regulatory and quality compliance, program management, data and claims expertise and the participant experience. To learn more about Summit Health, visit www.SummitHealth.com.

Media Contacts:
Pauline Reisner, Summit Health
734-332-0476
preisner(a)summithealth.com

Elrond Lawrence, Fisher Vista for Summit Health
831-632-2183
elawrence(a)fishervista.com

###

This press release was distributed through PR Web by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.