A biometric screening, also known as a biometric assessment, is a routine clinical screening curated specially for employees at a company’s workplace or in cases of a commercial lab facility. This routine check-up is ideally used to monitor one’s health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Employers usually request biometric assessments to provide a basic and foundational health assessment of their workplace. These screenings also help them to monitor any emerging health conditions that could lead to any other more serious health conditions.
Especially for employers in an industry that requires physical labor, a biometric screening greatly enhances the safety of the workers. It helps them to keep a check on the employees’ health by detecting any warning signs of chronic conditions that may later contribute to work-related injuries and accidents. Here is a comprehensive guide about biometric screening and why it can prove to be beneficial for you and your employees.
What Factors Are Included in a Biometric Screening?
When performing a biometric screening on a patient, clinicians:
- Draw blood to check for cholesterol, glucose, and triglycerides.
- Capture the resting blood pressure.
- Record weight, height, waist circumference, and other BMI measurements.
What Can You Find in a Biometric Screening?
The main role a biometric screening does is it tell the employees about their health. This includes:
- If they are clinically diagnosed as obese.
- If they have any risk of cardiovascular disease.
- If they have any risk of sleep apnea.
- If they have any risk of diabetes.
After the biometric assessment, most employees will receive health information with the findings of their screening.
What can you expect from a biometric screening?
A biometric screening typically lasts only 15 to 20 minutes. During the procedure, you can expect the following:
- Your height would be measured by a healthcare professional.
- They might measure your hip and waist size with tape.
- A blood pressure cuff will be placed around your arm to measure your blood pressure.
- Blood samples would be taken from your prick or vein using a needle.
- You might have to fill out a questionnaire regarding your medical history or any medical concerns.
How to prepare for a biometric screening?
- Stay hydrated: Keep yourself well-hydrated as the phlebotomist needs to find your veins when taking a blood sample.
- Dress comfortably: Wear comfortable clothes that give quick access to your arm for checking blood pressure or drawing blood used in tests.
- Take your medications as usual: Take your medications as directed by your physician unless instructed otherwise by your employer.
- Refrain from exercise for 12 hours: Avoid taking part in any strenuous physical activity twelve hours before your screening except by the opinion or under instruction from such screening firms.
Do Employers Have Any Benefits from Biometric Screening
Biometric screenings offer employers the collected data on their employees’ overall health. It helps to make adjustments in health plan benefits and address the health issues of the employees. In addition to this, employers can get some additional benefits from biometric screening.
Here are some extra advantages:
1. Saved Time and Money
The productivity of businesses can be decreased due to employees’ illness. Biometric screening helps to save time and money by promoting healthier choices among employees. With the results of biometric screening, employees can start making healthier decisions. This results in fewer sick days and improved productivity at work.
2. Heightened Morale
Disengaged employees cost the USA $450-500 billion because of loss of productivity. When the employer performs a biometric screening, this shows that the employer cares about the welfare of the workers. Besides possibly enhancing team unity and involvement, this may also help a company benefit from showing concern.
3. Identify Disease & Illness in its Early Stages
Early detection of diseases can help employers and employees take action against them and address the health issue before it becomes serious. This may lead to early involvement, significantly saving employers money over time. Preventing illness and diseases can result in lower claim costs, fewer accidents, enhanced safety, and improved durability of the workforce.
Where’s the screening done?
Employers often hire a specialized agency to do screening which could involve onsite screening or a separate location. They could also give a kit to carry out the screening at home or have the screening done by your usual doctor in his/her clinic.
When do you get the results?
Within moments you might get some or all results from your biometrics tests. Yet in case of blood samples being taken for further examination, the period will be at least a week or longer. The results would be sent through emails or courier depending on what the client prefers.
Future Trends and Innovations:
1. Remote Monitoring and Telehealth
Advances in wearables, telemedicine platforms, and remote monitoring devices allow for continuous health monitoring in real-time and virtual consultation thereby enhancing user accessibility.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Predictive Analytics
Risk stratification, early disease detection, and personalized health recommendations using AI algorithms and predictive analytics in biometric screening data analysis.
3. Mobile Health (mHealth) Applications
Increasing availability of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) that monitor biometric data, engage in health coaching, facilitate medication adherence, and support lifestyle management, encouraging patient responsibility, connection, and commitment to wellness targets.
4. Genomics and Precision Medicine
The progression toward personalized medicine incorporation of genetic testing, biomarker analysis, and personalized treatment plans based on individual genetic maps results in optimized health outcomes and prevention measures.
