what is it?
This idea of revolutionising the traditional blood test method was made by Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of Theranos, an American health technology and medical laboratory services company. Instead of having vials of blood drawn from a person's arm, they may soon be able to have the procedure done at a pharmacy- with a painless fingerprick.
how does it work?
Holmes' blood test idea stretches way back to 2004, a decade ago. As the idea is still being developed and refined, there is little information made available to the public on the exact logistics of the technology, including how it will work. However, in an interview with Wired, Elizabeth Holmes hinted at some of the key ideas behind it: "We had to develop… methodologies that would make it possible to accelerate results,” she explained. “In the case of a virus or bacteria, traditionally tested using a culture, we measure the DNA of the pathogen instead so we can report results much faster.”
how is technology incorporated in it?
As mentioned above, the Theranos company has not yet revealed how the new blood test will work. But we can safely assume that there is a great deal of planning and testing of the incorporated technologies before the blood test can be used in health care.
in what ways will it contribute to our society?
The youngest woman on Forbes' 2014 annual ranking of the 400 richest Americans, Elizabeth Holmes' idea could certainly transform medicine. Traditional blood testing (drawn from the arm) is a very time-consuming and costly procedure for a tool that is used so frequently in healthcare. Once drawn from the patient's arm, the vials of blood are then sent out to be tested, which usually takes a few weeks and is also prone to human error. The process of blood testing has not changed since the 1960's. If Holmes' idea of a fast and painless blood test is further developed, there would be countless benefits to society.
First and foremost, there are many people who are afraid of needles, which comes with the process of a traditional blood test. This can result in them avoiding a blood test, even if it may reveal life-saving information. Holmes' idea of a fingerprick would be virtually painless and fast, benefiting those who would otherwise steer clear of blood tests in general.
Moreover, the new blood test itself would be inexpensive, in comparison to the standard Medicare reimbursement rates (in the United States). People who would otherwise be unable to afford a blood test would be more likely to have access to it.
Additionally, people who use the new blood test would be able to access their own results. This has a few benefits according to Elizabeth Holmes: People will be able to find out the results to the purpose of their blood test in the first place, as well as gain a better understanding of their health and body, and even make beneficial changes to their diet and lifestyle.
In essence, Elizabeth Holmes' idea for a new blood testing medthod is incredible. Being such an important tool in healthcare, it would be great to see it develop with the needs of a changing society.
First and foremost, there are many people who are afraid of needles, which comes with the process of a traditional blood test. This can result in them avoiding a blood test, even if it may reveal life-saving information. Holmes' idea of a fingerprick would be virtually painless and fast, benefiting those who would otherwise steer clear of blood tests in general.
Moreover, the new blood test itself would be inexpensive, in comparison to the standard Medicare reimbursement rates (in the United States). People who would otherwise be unable to afford a blood test would be more likely to have access to it.
Additionally, people who use the new blood test would be able to access their own results. This has a few benefits according to Elizabeth Holmes: People will be able to find out the results to the purpose of their blood test in the first place, as well as gain a better understanding of their health and body, and even make beneficial changes to their diet and lifestyle.
In essence, Elizabeth Holmes' idea for a new blood testing medthod is incredible. Being such an important tool in healthcare, it would be great to see it develop with the needs of a changing society.