Article Summary:
o Blood pressure and heart rate.
o Cholesterol (typically a finger-stick sum cholesterol test, either fasting or non-fasting).
o Blood glucose (diabetes screening).
o
Article Content:
Worksite medical screenings can take a variety of forms. Common screening components might include -
o Blood pressure and heart rate.
o Cholesterol (typically a finger-stick sum cholesterol test, either fasting or non-fasting).
o Blood glucose (diabetes screening).
o Height and weight.
o Percent body fat and/or Body Mass Index (Body Mass Index).
o Fitness level.
o Bone density.
o Posture assessment.
Considerations when offering workplace screenings -
o Medical testings should be conducted by qualified, and at times, qualified individuals.
o Medical screenings must be conducted in a location that authorizes for privacy and confidentiality.
o Time for discussion and explanation screening results should be permitted as part of the screening process.
o A process must be in place for referral for participants whose results are indicative of a need for further medical analysis.
o Screenings could be very costly to the overall wellness budget OR there might be no cost to the wellness program when participants are willing to cover the cost of the assessment themselves.
For example, cholesterol and glucose testing generally costs twenty to twenty-five dollars per individuals, per exam. Employees could be willing to pay for screening in exchange for the convenience of having the screening at work.
o It normally works best to have scheduled appointments at intervals sufficient to allow time for the assessment and a brief discussion of results. Thus, a registration and scheduling process must be devised.
o Some types of screening, such as fitness testing, require participants to bring casual clothes in which to do the testing. Workers ought to be notified of the need to dress in a specific manner for the screening.
o To ensure high attendance at screening events, it’s advisable to coordinate promotion of the event with reminders to workers.
o Supply staff members with “screening preparation” guidelines to remind them how to prepare for the most exact screening results.
Resources for workplace screenings -
1. Talk with a wellness consultant or biometric screening corporation.
2. If staff member participation is low for onsite Healthy Benefits screenings, or when offering additional worksite screening is an choice, check with the community health or outreach department of your local hospital, health education department, occupational health department or worksite health department as to screenings they might offer.
3. Local health clubs might also have certified staff for some kinds of screenings, such as fitness testing or body fat assessment.
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