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WHAT IT IS: The Cabarrus Health
Alliance Laboratory provides services which include clinical tests to aid
in screenings, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases and
conditions through the various public health programs which affect the
health of Cabarrus citizens.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The major
purpose of the Health Alliance Laboratory is to provide quality
assured-lab support services to all the standard public health programs
offered by the Alliance. The Laboratory is a component of every clinical
screening service offered by the Alliance. The Laboratory also plays a
vital role as a resource for the medical community concerning testing and
need supplies for communicable disease outbreaks (ex. Pertussis,
Hepatitis, Viral food-borne Illness).
WHO MAY RECEIVE THIS SERVICE:
Laboratory services support the Health Alliance programs and populations
served.
HOW THIS PROGRAM IS CARRIED OUT:
Clinical lab service provided are mandated activities of the Health
Alliance for individuals served through Health Alliance programs. Most of
our tests are done on-site to facilitate the evaluation of the patient
during appointment visit. Lab services are reimbursed by Medicaid or other
third party sources. The primary cost of laboratory services are funded by
State Grants and County tax dollars. A very small percentage are paid for
by patient fees, which cover only the actual cost of providing the test.
The lab also assists with all the various screening, sponsored by the
Health Alliance (ex. Health Fairs, Prostate Screening Clinics, Employee
Wellness programs and School Sports Physicals).
HOW THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS:
Conditions such as communicable diseases, (ex. sexually transmitted
disease) would not be diagnosed and followed as promptly as needed,
resulting in an increased level of infectious diseases in the community.
Also, this may result in more visits to the ER which are more expensive vs.
being diagnosed and treated at the Health Alliance. |