Biometric health screenings are short clinical screenings done to a person to give them an overview of their health and notify them if there are changes to their health status. Employers, unions, non-profit groups, and public health organizations provide these screenings. They can pair biometric health screenings with risk assessments, exercise programs, and wellness counseling and education.
Let’s take a closer look at what biometric health screenings are, what insights you can get, and what you need to do before getting on.
What Is A Biometric Health Screening and What Is Its Purpose?
A biometric health screening can establish a baseline of a person’s health status. This baseline can be used to assess their risk for a variety of health issues, such as diabetes, heart problems, many of which can be prevented with early detection and changes in lifestyle. With the data that comes from biometric health screenings, you can work with them to refine their lifestyle with fitness coaching, nutrition counseling, and many more.
Biometric health screenings don’t aim to diagnose. It can only show you possible risk factors.
Many employers also find biometric health screenings useful. With these, they can be up-to-date with their employee’s health status. They do not receive individual results, but they get aggregate results. The insights that they can get here can help them revamp their health benefits and incentives to better meet the needs of their employees.
What do Biometric Health Screenings Test?
A biometric health screening measures a person’s vital statistics. It also usually includes blood works, usually a Complete Blood Count (CBC). Here’s a list of the specific units that biometric health screenings measure and evaluate:
- Height
- Weight
- Waist Measurement
- Body Mass Index or BMI
- Blood Pressure
- Blood Glucose Levels after fasting
- Blood Cholesterol Levels and Triglycerides
Moreover, biometric health screening programs may ask about your use of tobacco, exercise habits, and aerobic fitness.
What Can You Expect with A Biometric Screening?
The screening normally takes only 15 to 20 minutes. Here’s a list of what you can expect during the procedure:
- A medical practitioner will measure your height and weight. You will be asked to step on a scale to get these metrics.
- They might use a tape measure to get your waist circumference.
- They will get you a blood pressure reading by putting a blood pressure cuff around your arms.
- They will get blood samples from a finger prick and venipuncture.
- They will give you a short questionnaire to fill up regarding your medical history and any health issues.
- The medical professional will discuss the results of your biometric health screening with you.
Where’s the Screening Done?
Employers usually avail biometric health screening services from specialized companies, such as Well Health Works. The screening can be done on company premises or at a designated screening facility.
In some instances, there are also employers that procure self-administered kits so the employees can do the screening at home, especially during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. Some ask their employees to get their primary care doctor to conduct the screening.
How to Prepare for A Biometric Screening
Before a biometric health screening, there are certain preparations that you must do to ensure that your tests will yield accurate results. Here is a list of things that you should do before a biometric screening:
- Undergo fasting for 8 to 12 hours prior to the screening. You cannot drink any beverages except water, black coffee, or tea during this period.
- Keep yourself properly hydrated. Staying hydrated will make it easier for a healthcare practitioner to find your vein if a blood sample needs to be drawn.
- Take your medications as you would. If you have any doubts or concerns, you may reach your employer for clarification.
- Avoid exercising for at least 12 hours. You should not be fatigued when you get your biometric screening.
- Dress comfortably. Wear a shirt that will allow you to easily roll up your sleeves so the medical practitioner can easily take your blood pressure reading or draw blood from your veins.
When will You Get the Results?
Typically, you can get your biometric health screening results after just a few minutes. However, if you have blood work requested from a laboratory, it can take at least one week or longer. The results will be sent over to you. It can be done by mail or electronically, depending on your request.
Is it Voluntary?
Biometric health screening programs are normally voluntary. However, there are some rare cases where an insurance company will require regular biometric screening as a condition for your employer’s health insurance policy. Employers even provide incentives, monetary or not, so they can encourage their employees to get screened.
Regardless, you will still benefit from regular biometric health screenings as you may be able to know your risk factors and have a constant update of your health condition. After all, prevention is better than cure, right?
Will Your Privacy be Protected?
Absolutely! Any medical information that will come from your biometric screening results is protected and private. There is a law that your personal information cannot be shared with your employers or any other person unless you authorize it. This law is under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
Get Biometric Screening Services from Well Health Works
Caring for employees is one of any employer’s top-most priorities. Their manpower is a vital asset to your company. Without them, your business operations will be gravely affected. Showing your employees that you care for their health means a lot to them. It will increase their job satisfaction, loyalty, or even better, their productivity.
So, if you want to avail of biometric health screening services to make sure that your employees are in tip-top shape and to enhance your health benefits, reach us at Well Health Works. We offer the best wellness corporate solutions, including biometric health screening, flu shots, wellness screening, and AI temperature screening stations.
Please, don’t hesitate to call us at 833-935-9355 or send us an email at info@wellhealthworks.com.
