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Northwell Health launches LabFly, first app to facilitate blood draws at home or work

The Island Now
Northwell Health Labs Phlebotomist Dina Durdu (far right) prepares a blood draw for a toddler in the privacy and convenience of his own home with mom and dad by his side. Photo courtesy of Northwell Health.

Northwell Health Labs, a division of Northwell Health, the largest health system in the Northeast, has launched LabFly, a mobile app that allows patients to schedule blood draws in the privacy of their home or workplace. This “concierge health care” app is the first of its kind in the nation to be released by a health system. It offers patients a convenient and private alternative to having their blood taken at a traditional Patient Service Center.

The LabFly app is available for download via Apple’s iTunes store and Google Play for Android users. Users simply enter their demographic information, take a photo of their insurance card and paper prescription, then choose a day and time slot to schedule a home or private office visit from one of over 150 Northwell Health’s lab experts. Caregivers can also schedule a blood draw for someone they are caring for. On the day of the appointment, a patient can view the location of the lab expert in similar fashion to popular ride-sharing apps. Patients can securely access their test results via the app within approximately four days.

The need for lab testing is not only high in the Northeast, but across the country. Laboratory testing is the single highest volume medical activity, with about 13 billion tests performed in the United States every year, according to lab accreditation bureau COLA. Industry studies indicate that approximately 70 percent of medical decisions are based on lab results, yet many patients who have prescriptions for lab work never get them filled.

To meet that demand, Northwell opened a $59 million, 101,000-square-foot core lab in Nassau County with the largest automated testing line of its kind and a $47 million, 36,000-square-foot microbiology lab in Queens – all since February.

“At Northwell, we continually look for ways of making it easier for patients to access our programs and services,” Michael J. Dowling, Northwell Health president and chief executive officer. “Northing enhances consumer convenience like the LabFly app, enabling patients to get their blood drawn at home. This first-of-its-kind service is just the latest innovation developed by Northwell Health Labs to expand testing to more people and to more communities throughout the metropolitan area, solidifying its growing reputation as a leader in laboratory services.”

The fee for lab testing is covered by most patient’s insurers. There is a convenience fee of $19.99, which includes transportation and sample collection. Northwell Health Labs is offering an introductory discount: First draw is 25 percent off* with the code “LabFly2019.” In most instances, the convenience fee will not be covered by insurance.

“We are happy to launch this state-of-the-art app that allows our patients to schedule personalized, professional blood draws with ease,” said Dwayne Breining, MD, Northwell Health Labs executive director. “At Northwell Health Labs, our goal is to bring innovative ideas to the table. This app is a new way to give our patients access to the quality experience they would receive at one of our patient service centers, but in their living room or place of work. Whether it’s young children who are anxious about a blood draw, busy professionals or someone you’re caring for, this app is a convenient way to help fulfill our patients’ needs.”

The app is being released in four geographic phases. The first phase is operational now across Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties). Phase two is expected to launch later this month to Manhattan and Queens, followed by Brooklyn and Staten Island, and finally the Bronx and Westchester. LabFly is expected to be live in all regions by the end of 2019.

Submitted by Northwell Health.

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