It is important to make the right diagnosis of any current health condition or the stage of an illness. The severity of the condition and further treatment is all based on diagnostic reports.
With so many diagnostic centres available today, it can be hard to choose the right one. Quality diagnostic tests can often be expensive, but it is never advisable to compromise on health.
Soni’s Story
Soni Makhija felt a lump in her right breast and went to get a blood marker test and a mammogram done. The results of the test were positive for a malignant tumour. Her doctor recommended chemotherapy. After two rounds of chemotherapy, she began feeling sick and uneasy.
After another diagnostic test was performed, there was no evidence of malignancy at all. Experiences like these are commonplace in India. They are very financially and mentally exhausting. This shows the importance of choosing a quality diagnostic centre to get precise results.
Some of the things to keep in mind while choosing a diagnostic centre include -
1. Online reports
The fast availability of reports is essential as some conditions may require immediate treatments, failing which there may be long term health consequences to the patient's health.
To prevent going and visiting the diagnostic centre time and again by the patient may not always be feasible. With the availability of widespread technology, it is easy to access diagnostic reports online. This facility must be provided at your chosen diagnostic centre.
2. Accuracy of Diagnostic Reports
Inaccurate reports when accessed by the doctor may lead to long term health consequences. A good brand name may not always lead to high-quality diagnostics.
It is always important to check if the diagnostic centre has the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories(NABL) accreditation. It is the gold standard for determining a diagnostic centre. There are many horror stories of misdiagnosis by medical laboratories which can be prevented.
Although there are about 1.1 Lakh medical laboratories in the country only 1039 are accredited.
3. Availability of tests
The most common diagnostic tests include blood tests, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasonography, X-Rays, Biopsies, etc. There are about 3500-4000 diagnostic tests available.
To make sure you go to a quality centre you must make sure it has adequate testing facilities. Such centres have made huge investments and are not there just to make money.
4. Number of years of experience of the medical team
An ideal diagnostic centre must have a credible and experienced team of medical practitioners. The presence of a good medical faculty will ensure safety while conducting the tests.
If you are cash crunched, you can avail of the Bajaj Health Card which enables you to divide all your expenses into easy EMIs. You can use this to purchase the Bajaj Health Insurance Card. The process to apply for a Bajaj Health Card is fast and simple.
You are only required to submit necessary KYC documentation for the activation of the Bajaj Health card during the registration process at one of Bajaj Finserv’s partner diagnostic centres. You can repay the amount in easy EMIs and flexible tenors which range from 3-18 months.
The Bajaj Health Insurance card can be used at over 270 hospitals and clinics across various cities in India.