Deoxyribonucleic acid, better known as DNA, is found inside cells of the body. Amazingly, DNA gives you specific details about a person. It can tell you which traits are inherited. Traits such as eye color, hair color and even blood type can be analyzed. Due to advancements in DNA testing, physicians are now able to perform testing using DNA testing kits right there in the office. This saves you and your patient a great amount of time and effort. You no longer must send your patient to the lab and then wait days or weeks on the results.
DNA sampling for tests can be gathered from saliva, blood, hair or amniotic fluid in cases of unborn babies.
DNA testing kits can be used to get results for multiple purposes. Keep reading to find out some of the reasons physicians use DNA testing kits.
Prescription Confidence Through DNA Testing Kits
Medication adherence is important to your patient’s health.
Your patient tells you he or she is taking their prescriptions as directed. However, your instincts and expertise are telling you they are not. This can be particularly helpful when dealing with patients who are prescribed controlled substances.
DNA testing can also benefit patients who are prescribed medicines for mental illness. Knowing if they are compatible with their prescribed medication routine can tell you a great deal of information on why they are or are not experiencing better health.
Disease Predisposition
When you can prevent a disease, you would do it. With genetic DNA testing kits, you can test your patients to see if they are predisposed, or predicted, to have certain diseases. If the results show they are predisposed for certain diseases, you can work with them to prevent the disease from appearing.
This type of DNA testing kits are based on the idea that diseases have a genetic foundation. Being able to test for over 30 medical conditions makes this test a must for all patients.
Pharmacogenetics
These types of DNA testing kits allow you to include genetics in your prescribing methods. In doing so, you can reduce the number of adverse reactions your patients experience.
Pharmacogenetics simply uses your patients genetic profile to determine how they will react to certain medications and treatments. Not only does this provide better protection for the patient, it also helps protect you from any backlash from patients who may have an adverse reaction.
Carrier Testing
A couple trying to have a baby can be both exciting and scary. They worry about the health of the baby. With carrier testing, via DNA Testing Kits you can ease some of those worries.
Carrier testing can tell you if either parent of a child is carrying a defective gene that could be passed on to their child that is associated with a disease. This test can help parents decide as to if they want to conceive their child naturally or through artificial insemination.
This test can help parents prepare for the possibilities of their child having a gene linked to a disease. It can help them take preventative actions throughout the child’s life to ensure their child does not get the disease.
Carrier testing can literally be life changing for a family.
Confirm a Diagnosis
You are very experienced at diagnosing your patients based on their signs and symptoms. However, diagnostic testing can confirm your diagnosis. When you have confirmation through testing, you can be sure the treatment methods you prescribe are the right ones for your patient.
There have been occasions where patients were misdiagnosed. This can lead to patient complaints as well has patient health concerns. Verifying your diagnosis through DNA testing simply gives you that extra edge when creating a treatment plan.
Prenatal Testing
While prenatal testing cannot test for all defects, it can give you an idea as to whether an unborn baby is facing any problems. Prenatal testing searches for changes in a baby’s chromosomes or genes. Changes may indicate a defect.
Prenatal testing helps soon to be parents prepare for any potential problems with the baby. It gives them time to prepare both physically and emotionally.
Making this test available to your patients, in your office, makes parents feel more comfortable than when done in a lab or hospital.
Paternity Testing
There are close to 300,000 DNA paternity tests done annually.
Determining the father of a child was once a lengthy process starting in an approved laboratory and waiting weeks for results. Paternity testing today is basic. With the swab of saliva from a potential father, an answer can be found utilizing DNA testing kits.
While you still send off for the results, the process itself has been greatly simplified.
Results of such tests can influence custody cases, child support, adoption, wills and estate determinations. Having this ancillary service will attract many new clients.
Other Types of Testing
Many businesses and corporations are requiring drug testing before hiring employees. In fact, 56% of employers in the United States require pre-employment drug testing.
They want to know if a potential candidate is currently using any illicit drugs. Some agencies require a simple urine test while others require blood testing and even hair sampling.
With drug abuse on the rise among teens, parents are also taking initiatives and requesting drug tests to see if their child is using illegal drugs. Because urine tests may not be as reliable as blood tests, many parents are depending on the services of doctors to perform blood tests.
Forensic testing is an area where you can provide your DNA testing services to members of the legal fields. Forensic testing is mostly associated with crimes when there is a need to identify a victim.
Physicians offering any of these ancillary services can greatly increase revenue due to the enormous number of requests for this service.
Your practice can charge anywhere between $100 and $2000 to perform DNA testing on patients. Depending on the nature of the test, the cost can increase.
In most cases, insurance plans will cover the cost of DNA testing. However, some people prefer to pay out of pocket for testing services. They do so because results of a DNA test can often affect insurance coverage, either premiums are increased or they are dropped altogether.
DNA makes a terrific ancillary service for your practice. It is a straightforward process for you and your staff and it is an effortless process for your patient.
DNA testing can take place in a brief time, allowing you to see more patients per hour. In fact, in most cases, nursing staff can perform the test. This service offers a benefit to the community and is an uncomplicated way for you to add revenue to your practice.