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Blood screenings draw scores to delayed health fair

Area residents made their way out to Sidney Regional Medical Center early Saturday morning for an opportunity to receive discounted blood screenings to help keep tabs on their health for conditions such as high cholesterol and diabetes.

“For many people, this is the one time during the year when they can actually get blood screenings done,” SRMC registered nurse Tammy Meier said. “The community really looks forward to when we do this.”

The blood screenings, offered in partnership with non-profit 9Health, were originally set to take place during the SRMC’s annual health fair at the Cheyenne County Community Center on May 30, but the event was canceled ahead of a snowstorm that blanketed parts of the panhandle with several inches of snow.

“It’s actually impossible to try to reschedule the health fair due to the complexity of bringing all of the people,” Meier said. “You plan it out for months, so we can’t bring it all back, but we didn’t want to community to miss out on an opportunity to get their blood screenings done.”

Meier said during last year’s health fair, about 190 people took part in the blood screenings, which are offered at a reduced cost, and more than 700 people turned out during the three days they offered screenings in March.

She said the blood screenings can help identify any potential abnormalities that the patients can then take to their provider for further review.

“It all about owning your health,” she said.

Meier said in the blood screenings, administered by SRMC staff and processed through Qwest Diagnostics in Denver, the blood samples test a variety of markers, including a patient’s fasting glucose, thyroid, cholesterol, vitamin D levels, prostate for men, and blood count.

“It can definitely be an eye opener,” she said.

Meier said once the blood screenings are performed, most people will wait at least a couple of weeks before the results are ready, although she said those who register online have been receiving their results much sooner.

“Some of them have received their results back within a week,” she said. “When they register on-site, it typically takes 10 days to two weeks.”

Meier said if a “critical value” is identified on a lab result, however, the patient is contacted by 9Health within 72 hours.

“So they know to follow up with their provider right away,” she said.

The Sidney Regional Medical Center is located at 1000 Pole Creek Crossing in Sidney.

 

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