When performed locally, these convenient services become a benefit to the community

We have become a society of instant gratification. We want it now, we want it to be easy, and we need it to be convenient. “It” can be anything, including healthcare. Timothy Vue, Black River Memorial Hospital’s lab director, realizes this and sees a big change on the horizon in how it’s delivered. He says taking a proactive approach is key.

The challenge is finding people with healthcare needs and delivering what they need to them instead of them coming to BRMH. Vue says part of the solution is making sure people know the options available to them by getting the message out that BRMH has a complete offering of outpatient services that are easily accessible.

Here are some key points about the outpatient services BRMH offers that Vue wants you to know:

It’s simpler than people think

The ease and convenience of having outpatient services performed locally at BRMH can be quite the time-saver. A lab test, for example, doesn’t even require an appointment, so you could squeeze it between errands if you’re in the area. Also, when a referral for an outpatient service is made by your provider, BRMH will reach out to you to set up an appointment if one is needed.

You’re in the driver’s seat

It’s important to maintain control over your healthcare, and the ability to have outpatient services performed at BRMH gives you control and flexibility. Having a procedure done with a specialist at a healthcare facility doesn’t lock you into that organization for all your healthcare needs. All you need to do is have a conversation with your provider and they can make a referral to BRMH or have you set up to have lab tests done here.

Buying local … healthcare

When people hear “buy local,” their mind generally jumps to supporting mom & pop shops or local grocery stores. They often forget that a larger service provider such as BRMH is a local business, too. Having outpatient services performed here benefits the entire community because the money the hospital makes is used to consistently provide better care for everyone.

Top-rate technology

As a rural-based, independent healthcare facility, BRMH sometimes suffers from the perception that it might not have the most cutting-edge technological capabilities. Not true, Vue says. The hospital’s lab has industry-leading hematology, chemistry, and molecular equipment for performing a variety of blood tests, as well as nasal-swab testing for respiratory bacteria and viruses including COVID-19.

“We have technology that is as equally sophisticated or better than bigger hospitals or health systems,” Vue says. “We can do 99.9% of the outpatient testing patients require.”

Talk to your primary care provider about receiving your labs, imaging, therapy, and other outpatient services locally. To learn more, visit our website.