Health screening is the process of checking for diseases that are not yet showing symptoms. It uses simple and rapid tests to identify people who may have an undiagnosed condition, so that treatment can begin early and complications can be prevented.
Examples of screening services include:
- Blood glucose measurement using a glucometer
- Blood pressure measurement using a sphygmomanometer
- Cholesterol testing
- Lung function tests
Early screening helps detect diseases like hypertension or diabetes at an early stage and improves treatment outcomes.
Scope of Health Screening Services
With proper training, a person knowledgeable in health screening can work in:
- Hospitals
- Pathology laboratories
- Community pharmacies
- Private diagnostic centres
- Door-to-door health screening companies
- Disaster management services
- Pandemic response teams
Importance of Health Screening Services
- Early identification of health problems
- Reduces mortality and severity of diseases
- Improves effectiveness of treatment
- Reduces cost of treatment
- Prevents occurrence of high-risk diseases
- Prevents complications by early referral
- Saves patient time
- Helps avoid adverse outcomes due to late diagnosis
Health Screening Services for Routine Monitoring
Routine screening helps healthcare providers identify health problems early, especially in patients with high risk.
1) Blood Pressure Screening
Regular BP checks help detect hypertension early. Hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease and other complications.
Pharmacists can:
- Identify new hypertensive patients
- Help monitor BP regularly
- Support treatment evaluation
- Improve adherence to medications
- Reduce workload on doctors
A person is considered hypertensive if:
- Systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg (in two readings)
- Diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg (in two readings)
Steps for Accurate BP Measurement
- Patient should sit quietly for at least 5 minutes
- Arm should be at heart level
- No smoking or caffeine 30 minutes before
- Use correct cuff size
- Place stethoscope over brachial artery
- Inflate cuff 30 mmHg above estimated systolic BP
- Deflate at 2–3 mmHg/sec
- Record SBP at the first sound and DBP at the disappearance of sound
- Average 2 readings taken 2 minutes apart
2) Capillary Blood Glucose Measurement
Blood glucose checks help identify people with abnormal sugar levels.
Useful for:
- People worried about diabetes
- Patients already diagnosed with diabetes
- Patients with symptoms like frequent urination, hunger, tiredness and weight loss
- Individuals needing routine monitoring
Not recommended for:
- People below 18 years (unless doctor requests)
- People with infected fingers
- Immunocompromised individuals
How Glucometer Works
- Insert the test strip and match the code
- Sterilize finger with antiseptic swab
- Prick finger with disposable lancet
- Place blood drop on strip
- Glucometer displays result in 5–30 seconds
The pharmacist should give results verbally and in written form, and recommend consulting a doctor if levels are high.
3) Lung Function Screening
a) Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
Used in asthma and COPD patients to assess airway obstruction.
Technique:
- Set peak flow meter to zero
- Patient should stand or sit upright
- Take a deep breath
- Seal lips around mouthpiece
- Blow out as hard as possible
- Record the highest value of three attempts
Interpretation:
- 80–100% — Good control
- 50–80% — Caution
- < 50% — Severe obstruction
b) Spirometry
Spirometry measures lung volumes and airflow, helpful for diagnosing COPD, asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Indications
- Chronic cough, wheeze or breathlessness
- Monitoring known pulmonary diseases
- Pre-surgical evaluation
- Occupational or environmental exposure
- Lung transplant follow-up
Technique
- Patient inhales deeply
- Blows out as hard and long as possible
- Effort must continue until no more air can be exhaled
Spirometry Measurements
- FVC – Forced Vital Capacity
- SVC – Slow Vital Capacity
- FEV₁ – Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second
- FEV₁/FVC Ratio – Used to diagnose obstruction
- FEF – Forced Expiratory Flow
GOLD Criteria for COPD:
- FEV₁/FVC < 70% — Obstruction
- FEV₁ > 80% — Mild
- FEV₁ 50–80% — Moderate
- FEV₁ 30–50% — Severe
- FEV₁ < 30% — Very severe
4) Cholesterol Testing
Definition
Cholesterol testing measures levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
Importance
- Helps assess risk of heart disease
- Aids preventive healthcare
- Monitors treatment effectiveness
- Identifies other conditions like diabetes or thyroid issues
Methods
- Fasting or Non-fasting Lipid Profile – Blood sample tested in lab
- Point-of-Care Testing – Quick results in pharmacy
Counseling & Follow-Up
- Advise diet and lifestyle modifications
- Refer to physician if needed
- Educate about cardiovascular risk
Conclusion
Health screening services help detect diseases early, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes. Pharmacists play a valuable role by performing basic screenings and guiding patients towards proper medical care.
Detailed Notes:
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