A new mobile medical service startup has launched in Alberta.
Founded by people who are passionate about developing innovative healthcare solutions, Scrubs Health has officially launched to serve individual and corporate clients.
Scrubs makes it easier for patients to connect with care providers for same-day and next-day bloodwork, electrocardiograms, and other specialized tests, according to a statement from the Calgary company—from gut microbiome analysis to genetic testing and pre-natal diagnostics.
“We are excited to launch in Calgary at a time when access to quality care has never been more challenging,” stated Peter Verburg, a cofounder of Scrubs. “Scrubs provides an alternative to traditional healthcare delivery, working with Calgarians on their terms and schedule.”
Verburg, who serves as CEO, believes healthcare in Canada is ripe for innovation. The customer service experience hasn’t evolved to keep pace with technological advancement or the demands of a growing population, he believes—unlike many other industries and countries.
The reasons are complex, according to Verburg, including a lack of capacity in the lab system, doctor shortages, fee structures, administration practices, and antiquated booking systems. These factors contribute to long waits for appointments, crowded waiting rooms, and time wasted driving between clinics and labs.
“When it comes to primary care, most of us are still dealing with the same antiquated system our parents experienced,” he lamented in an op-ed for the Calgary Herald. “We wait weeks for appointments and spend hours commuting and sitting in waiting rooms. Imagine if you still had to stand in line at the bank waiting for a teller. Technology has transformed the delivery of financial services, but primary care is stuck in the last century.”
The situation in Calgary has been especially acute in the past year, he adds, with patients reportedly waiting up to six weeks for appointments at lab collection centres.
Scrubs Health has invested in technology to offer an alternative, putting control of medical services in the hands of patients while providing quality care whenever and wherever, according to a statement from the company.
This modern experience is helpful for people who have mobility issues or require regular testing to manage chronic disease as well as for business professionals and time-constrained individuals and families. And it’s something the government might not be able to offer.
“Let’s face it: governments don’t get customer service and the health bureaucracy has little to no accountability for patient outcomes,” Verburg asserted for the Herald. “But a bunch of private operators figuring out how to do things smarter? They will bend over backwards to give you a great experience and hopefully secure another five-star review.”
Scrubs practitioners offer a range of lab tests, including bloodwork ordered by doctors in the public system. Results go directly to the doctor who ordered the test, typically within 24 hours.
The startup even offers free prescription delivery within the city of Calgary.
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