LifeLabs is improving service, access and the experience for patients with autism

Toronto, ON, Oct. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ontarians with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families can now receive specialized service through LifeLabs’ Serving Customers with Autism (SCA) program. This program is the first of its kind in Canada and has been developed by LifeLabs in collaboration with the Autism Research Centre at the Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Informed by research as well as insights from citizens with autism and their families, the SCA program provides national guidelines and training that help ensure a positive and stress-free blood collection visit for patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“No two people with autism are ever the same,” says Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, Clinician and Co-Director of Autism Program at Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. “This is why LifeLabs’ SCA program is so important. LifeLabs is changing the way ASD patients experience blood collection procedures through individually customized visits, something we are thrilled to be part of.”

“Previous to the Serving Customers with Autism program, blood collection for my daughter caused tremendous amounts of anxiety and stress, making blood collection very difficult for her and those involved,” says Ann Marie, mother of a child with ASD. “Now, through LifeLabs’, employees now work with our schedule, they create a comfortable environment custom to my daughter’s needs. I hope LifeLabs’ program inspires further development of more programs like this in Canada.”

“It is estimated that 1 in 68 children are currently diagnosed with ASD, and that ASD is the fastest growing and most commonly diagnosed neurological disorder in Canada. We are delighted that at any LifeLabs Patient Service Center in Ontario, patients with ASD and their families will receive blood collection services through our specially trained staff in a stress-free environment tailored to the specific needs of the patient and their family,” said Sue Paish, President and CEO of LifeLabs.

For a person with ASD, blood collection can be a traumatic and stressful experience. In some extreme cases, patients require sedation, further postponing diagnosis and treatment. The LifeLabs experience is different. It includes fully-trained staff, soothing light options, the ability to play videos, and the use of many other calming tools and techniques to make for a stress-free, tailored visit at all patient service centres across Ontario.

The SCA program is available at all LifeLabs Patient Service Centres in Ontario. To ensure all needs and required procedures can be met, please schedule appointments in advance. To find a LifeLabs location near you, please visit lifelabs.com.

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About LifeLabs: www.LifeLabs.com

LifeLabs is a Canadian-owned company with over 50 years of experience providing laboratory testing services to help healthcare providers diagnose, treat, monitor, and prevent disease in patients. In communities across British Columbia and Ontario, LifeLabs delivers cost-effective, convenient access to laboratory testing services essential for optimal outcomes in healthcare. LifeLabs employs approximately 5,400 professionally trained staff and delivers over 100 million laboratory tests, supporting over 19 million patient visits annually. In 2013, LifeLabs acquired BC Biomedical in British Columbia and CML HealthCare in Ontario making LifeLabs the largest community laboratory in Canada. LifeLabs is indirectly owned by OMERS Administration Corporation, whose interest is managed by OMERS Infrastructure Management Inc. In addition to being the first community lab to conduct non-invasive prenatal testing in Canada, LifeLabs is the first lab to provide online appointment booking for patients, non-fasting protocols and secure, on-line access to lab results for patients. For more information about LifeLabs, visit: www.LifeLabs.com

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0e8069b-b0cf-404a-b24d-7791c8740208

Brenna Birkin, Communications Specialist
LifeLabs
416-937-1429
brenna.birkin@lifelabs.com