Preventive Health Screening
Q. What is the objective of preventive health screenings?
A. Preventive health screenings are an affordable and effective way for people who may show no symptoms to identify hidden disease risks early. For many people, getting screened is the first step in early intervention to prevent potential health events later in their lives. It helps people understand their risks so that they can consult with their doctor and take the right steps towards a healthier future.
Q. Are the screenings given by Life Line Screening 100% accurate?
A. Life Line Screening is aware of the concerns surrounding the quality of preventive public health screenings, and has taken every measure to ensure our screenings are of the highest quality. No test is 100% accurate, but our results are comparable to those you would receive in an accredited hospital vascular lab.
Life Line Screening uses state of the art ultrasound technology and highly skilled sonographers to perform our screenings. As part of our strict quality control, all results are then reviewed by our accredited consultants to ensure accuracy. Written reports are posted to the participants within 21 days, and they are encouraged to share the reports with their GP.
We are also engaged in ongoing research with first-tier medical institutions to help advance the understanding of the causes of vascular disease and to further our public health initiatives.
Q. I have a doctor. Why do I need Life Line Screening?
A. Our screenings provide a first level triage that can effectively identify those who may be at an increased risk for stroke, heart attack and osteoporosis. GPs will generally only request these tests if you are already symptomatic; however, stroke, vascular disease and osteoporosis are considered “silent killers” that typically strike with no previous symptoms, or only subtle ones.
The goal of our screenings is to identify disease in its early stages and allow you to take preventive measures in conjunction with your GP before a stroke or hip fracture occurs. If an abnormal result is detected during your screening, you will be directed to take your results to your GP who then will determine if any follow-up is necessary. By advocating preventive measures and connecting individuals with risk factors with their GPs early, we believe we can make a difference and hopefully prevent strokes and heart attacks. This screening system also helps to reduce the burden on GPs.
Q. Can Life Line Screening do this type of preventive health screening as part of my routine check up?
A. Certainly your GP can offer diagnostic level tests if you have symptoms and there is a specific cause. The NHS does not currently offer preventive screenings of this type, although that may change. Our goal is to help identify risk for cardiovascular disease at an early enough stage that you and your GP can begin preventive procedures, be it lifestyle changes or perhaps medical management.
Q. Where does Life Line Screening conduct screenings?
A. We provide screenings across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland - in addition to our United States operations. We use rooms in facilities such as community centres. All screenings are performed on the property, inside the building. Depending on the size of the community, a 40'x40' room is required without steps, six tables and approximately 25 chairs.
Q. Is Life Line Screening a for-profit or not-for-profit organisation?
A. We are a "for-profit" organisation. Our goal is to make preventive health care affordable and available to people everywhere.
Q. How often should I have these general health screenings?
A. This is a personal decision based on your risk factors and previous screening results. Many of our customers incorporate yearly screenings into their preventive healthcare regimen to complement their regular check ups.
Q. How long do the screenings take?
A. If you select a package of screenings, it usually takes several minutes to complete some paperwork and about 1 hour to conduct the screenings, depending on the number of tests, the level of disease, your vascular anatomy, and your body type. Accuracy and quality output are essential to us, so we make every effort to balance that with respect for your schedule.
Q. I work during the day. Can I schedule a screening later in the day?
A. We try to accommodate people’s work schedules with check-in times that are early in the day or during lunch. We also often offer later weekday screenings as well as some screenings on Saturdays.
Q. When will I receive my health screening results?
A. Your results will be posted within 21 days. However, if we find a condition that requires immediate attention, we will notify you on the day of your screening. If you take a finger-stick blood screening, those results will be available in 10 minutes.
Q. Why does it take up to 21 days to get the results?
A. Your results will be reviewed by our accredited consultants, and then they will be sent on for processing and posting. However, if we find a condition that requires immediate attention, we will notify you on the day of your screening.
Q. Who reviews the health screening results?
A. All screening results are reviewed by our accredited consultants.
Q. At what age should I be screened?
A. This is a personal decision, based on your risk factors and family history. Our screenings are designed for those age 50 and older.
Q. Will I receive the results of my general health screenings or will they be given directly to my doctor?
A. Your screening results will be reviewed one of our accredited consultants. Within 21 days of your appointment, you will receive a detailed report of your results in the mail. If we recommend you have further evaluation, we will include printed images of your carotid artery, AAA and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) screening results to share with your GP.
Q. How long has Life Line Screening offered these services?
A. Life Line Screening has been in operation since 1993 and provides services throughout the contiguous United States, United Kingdom, and Republic of Ireland. We have screened more than 6 million people and perform approximately 1 million screenings annually worldwide.
Q. What type of equipment is used?
A. For all of our screenings, we use the same state-of-the-art technologies that are standard in hospitals across the country. We are continually evaluating new equipment to ensure that our equipment is the most advanced.
Q. What kind of training have your ultrasound technicians received?
A. Our highly skilled, experienced sonographers and medical staff have all completed formal medical and ultrasound programs, clinical rotations, and specialized training. We employ over 700 highly trained healthcare professionals.
Q. How can you assure the consistency and reliability of your machines?
A. All machines perform a self-diagnostic check and continually recalibrate throughout the day. They also undergo regular maintenance check-ups.
Q. Can I have the health screenings if I have a pacemaker?
A. If you have a pacemaker, our ultrasound screenings for carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease are completely appropriate. You can also do our osteoporosis screening and our finger-stick blood tests. The only test you should not do is the atrial fibrillation test which uses a 6-lead ECG. Please let us know you have a pacemaker when you register for your appointment and also tell the technicians at the screening site.
Q. I am concerned about privacy. How private is the screening area?
A. We take your privacy seriously, which is why we always use privacy screens to separate the screening area from the waiting area. You need not remove any clothing for our screenings other than your shoes and socks.
Q. Can I eat or drink anything before these screenings?
A. It depends on which screening you are having. Once you register for a screening, you will receive specific instructions. It is important for you to follow those directions in order to get the most accurate results. You can also find the instructions for all our different screenings listed here.
Q. Why should I have these screenings done if I have no symptoms?
A. Many people are at risk for diseases such as strokes and heart disease, but experience no symptoms. Early detection and control can prevent major consequences later on.
Q. How accurate are your health screenings?
A. By adhering to strict protocols, hiring highly qualified staff, and using state of the art equipment, we are dedicated to providing you with the most accurate results. In fact, in clinical studies Life Line Screening results were shown to be comparable to those you would receive in accredited vascular labs.
Q. Will I get my screening pictures back?
A. You will receive printed images of your screenings only if we are recommending that you see your GP for further evaluation. However, you will always receive a detailed written report.
Q. Are you affiliated with any hospital?
A. We often partner with local hospitals but your medical information is private. We are a non-referral screening service. All information and general health screening results are sent directly back to you to share with your own GP.
Q. Why don't your results give more detailed information?
A. Our screenings are designed to screen for problems, not to measure the severity of a condition. If our screenings alert you of a problem, you will need to consult with your doctor about having more comprehensive testing.
Q. What happens when a problem is identified?
A. If your results are not normal, you will receive a detailed report of the findings along with instructions to see your GP for further evaluation.
