Bellevue, WA – May 17, 2011-- Dr. Darren White suggests that companies implementing results-based wellness programs pay close attention to how they approach biometric screenings. Dr. White is CEO of Worksite Wellness and a co-creator of Limeade Greenline™. Worksite Wellness is a full service wellness implementation company. Limeade Greenline™ is a turn-key solution for results-based wellness programs that combines onsite screenings, advocacy and coaching from Worksite Wellness, assessment, social improvement and incentive management from Limeade, and comprehensive communications consulting from Benz Communications.
“After some informative preliminary communications, the biometric screening is where the rubber really hits the road for results-based wellness programs. So it’s critical that it’s ‘done right.’ Companies need to communicate, brand, and deliver biometric screenings very carefully. Even one bad experience can go viral – the service quality has to be sky high,” stated Dr. White.
Dr. White offers the following screening best practices to help companies get their results-based wellness programs off on the right foot.
Communication and Branding
Communicate early. Keep all communications simple. Make sure missives are complete and accurate, accessible to all on an ongoing basis, and consistent with the company culture. Overcome privacy concerns from the start; stress that all personal data collected will be secure and kept strictly confidential. Providing employees with quality guidance on how to prepare for a screening will ensure the best possible results. Thoughtfully branded biometric screenings are an opportunity to learn key health numbers and a way to empower people; blood tests as experienced in a hospital or doctor’s office often are not.
The Screening
New finger-stick technology enables accurate analysis and immediate results – and hurts less. More importantly, it provides the opportunity for the “teachable moment.” Screeners need the training to collect the sample, interpret the results, and explain the findings in a clear, compassionate, immediately actionable way. Immediate feedback – versus delayed, mailed feedback of numeric results – is the most powerful catalyst for positive behavior change – and program compliance.
Follow-Up and Advocacy
Screeners must also be advocates. In addition to having the knowledge and skill to explain the test results, they need to understand the broader context as well. They need to be able to discuss next steps, direct employees to additional resources, accurately outline the appeals process, and explain the design of the incentive system to make it physically, emotionally, and financially relevant for employees.
Data Collection and Integration
Proven data collection and integration technology is a must for ease of implementation, oversight, speed, and accuracy. Companies increasingly have more than one vendor providing health care-related services; integrating them can be a major headache. Where health information is involved, HR executives simply cannot afford errors. A bad employee experience can hinder an entire program, and create more hassles for overworked HR and benefits staff. Technology proven in large, complex employer deployments is safest. (Tactical note: where data must be transcribed by hand, always look for a solution that requires double-blind data entry.)
Follow these four guidelines every year – and watch your workforce become more aware and healthy.
About Limeade Greenline™
Limeade GreenLine™is a turn-key solution for results-based wellness programs that combines onsite screenings, advocacy and coaching from Worksite Wellness, assessment, social improvement and incentive management from Limeade, and comprehensive communications consulting from Benz Communications. It was designed to help high-performance employers launch and maintain a results-based wellness program that links meaningful financial savings to independently measurable health results. Additional information about Limeade GreenLine™ is available at http://limeade.com.
About Worksite Wellness
Worksite Wellness is a full service wellness implementation company, leveraging the latest technology, cutting edge research on wellness and human capital, and best-in-class wellness resources and practitioners. Worksite Wellness makes wellness fun and measurable through onsite/web based workshops, data driven wellness campaigns/challenges, biometric screenings and confidential health coaching. Additional information about Worksite Wellness may be found at
http://worksitewellness.net.
About Limeade
Limeade is an online wellness company focused on building happy, healthy,
high-performance workforces. Limeade provides a refreshing alternative to traditional, antagonistic wellness approaches, and connects all wellness programs in an integrated, cohesive user experience. Limeade clients include
Fortune 100 Best Places to Work companies, healthcare providers, and large, high-performance employers. Additional information about Limeade may be found at
http://limeade.comDocument2.
About Benz Communications
Benz Communications is a benefits communications strategy boutique creating integrated employee benefits campaigns for employers committed to nurturing high-performing and satisfied employees. Benz Communications' clients include Fortune 500 companies, Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, and small to mid-size companies. Additional information about Benz Communications may be found at http://benzcommunications.com.
