A customized Winnebago R-V cruising highways in Central Iowa will be bringing a whole clinic’s worth of medical expertise and equipment on a “house call” around the region. Registered Nurse Rachel Onsrud explains the HeartReach Mobile Lab will offer a whole menu of high-tech screening tools, including a series that’ll focus on the blood vessels. Those will include a vascular screen that uses ultrasound to check for narrowing of the neck arteries, and also look for signs of abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral disease in the veins down in the legs. Other tests will be far more low-tech and basic.They’ll test body composition, waist girth to assess risk based on weight, and a paper-and-pencil risk assessment. Onsrud says the HeartReach Mobile Lab will start with a small area, visiting suburbs of the capital city but taking inquiries and appointments from residents farther out.She says once it’s kicked off it will head farther out in central Iowa, once they know where customers are interested. Though the traveling lab will make it easier and more convenient for patients to get tested, Onsrud says it’s a good idea to make an appointment for its visit to a local town.She says that’s because some tests require things like fasting ahead of the visit, and they’ll be sure to be able and see people who’ve made an appointment for a screening. Onsrud admits for now, insurance plans don’t cover the costs of screening by the HeartReach mobile lab. For an appointment or more information people can call 866-935-5432.
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