We asked Northeastern Center Nurse Manager Jenni Hughes to answer some need-to-know questions about NEC’s new outpatient labs, including how convenient and beneficial they are for our clients!
Q: What types of lab services does Northeastern Center offer?
A: Our medical staff at our outpatient offices can collect blood, urine, and nasal swabs, which are sent to a lab for testing. These samples to help rule out medical conditions that could mimic certain psychiatric symptoms, such as delirium, psychosis and mood changes. We also utilize these labs for medication monitoring purposes; certain psychiatric medications can cause diabetes or other issues, so monitoring your levels is important.
Q: Why can lab work be important for Northeastern Center clients?
A: In addition to the above, lab work could be required by clients to start care, as well as to ensure that they aren’t being misdiagnosed or receiving a medication that doesn’t work for them.
Q: What are some of the benefits of on-site lab services?
A: The biggest benefit is the ease and convenience of completing your labs onsite. Instead of having to navigate possible scheduling, transportation, or financial issues that could arise by going to another location for lab work, everything is taken care of at the same office where you receive therapy or other mental health services. We hope that by improving the accessibility of lab services, it will make it easier for our clients to remain compliant with treatment, and improve their overall satisfaction with their care.
Learning more is easy!
If you would like to learn more about our on-site lab services, check out the full announcement with details. To learn more about becoming a Northeastern Center client, check out our How to Become a New Client page.
