Functional Wellness Docs

17/05/2022

Hi all! If you've previously purchased a product from Functional Wellness Docs...please check your email! We sent out a brief survey to obtain some customer feedback. In return for answering 12 short questions, we're gifting you with TWO FREE MONTHS of access to the premium membership!!!

18/09/2021

In Office Blood Analysis, Part III

In previous posts we reviewed the types of lab certifications/registrations and some costs associated with them.

In order to perform analysis of panels like CBCs, CMPs, lipids, etc. - we now know you have to be classified as a moderate level complexity lab. This certification/registration is overseen by 3 entities and can be quite costly.

In addition to the application fee and the inspection fee, we also have to consider the other costs...

1. You must have a Laboratory Director who is specifically trained/credentialed to oversee the lab. (The specific training can be done over a weekend.) The laboratory director does not have to be full-time or on-site all the tie, but unless you are an MD (or other allowed professional), then this creates an additional payroll expense.

2. Staff. in addition to the lab director, most facilities also employ a lab assistant / phlebotomist to perform the day-to-day operations, from patient interactions to cleaning and maintenance.

3. Equipment. To run the CBC uses one machine...the CMP uses a second, and other panels require a third machine. You may need a centrifuge, a special refrigerator, etc. While mcahines vary in cost, you can easily spend $25,000 or more in equipment just to get started.

4. Dedicated Space. You must have an area of your office with ample room to house the equipment and supplies that can be maintained according to state regulations.

5. Software. Since the different panels are run on different machines, software programs are used to "tie them together" so you can produce one coherent report.

6. Supplies. Tubes with different colored tops (depending on what tests you wish to run), disinfectants, needles, tubes, gauze, tape, band-aids, tourniquets, etc.

7. Annual Testing. Once or twice a year, you must complete and submit sample testing to verify proficiency and accuracy.

In short, it can cost $30,000 or more to start to offer these services in your practice. Unless you have extremely high volume in your practice, you're not likely to see a ROI for several years. 🙁

03/09/2021

September additions to the PREMIUM Membership include the following:

* My Natural Medicine Cabinet PowerPoint -- yes, based on MY ACTUAL "Medicine" Cabinet, lol! (Plus two handouts that go with this presentation!)

* My Nutritional Consultation Form

* A 1-page reference of functional bloodwork ranges

* A patient education handout on the 3 most common tick-borne illnesses

* The form I use to conduct reference checks on applicants

And more!! For more information, check it out at https://www.functionalwellnessdocs.com/premium-membership

Functional Medicine Lab Finder App

03/09/2021

In-Office Blood Analysis Part II:

In the last post we talked about the level of complexity of the lab certification needed in order to process blood in your office. No certification and low level complexity CLIA certification were reviewed...

As defined by CLIA, waived tests are categorized as “simple laboratory examinations and procedures that have an insignificant risk of an erroneous result”. Obtaining a "certificate of Waiver" means you only perform waived tests. Examples include home blood glucose, UA by dipstick, some portions of the CBC and CMP, etc.) However, each waived test is tied to a specific testing system. Meaning, in order for the waiver to apply, you must use only the test system that is approved. (And of course, it could mean using a different test system for every single analyte tested!)

There is another category for offices performing microscopy only - things like wet mounts, UA, etc.).

Come to find out, to easily/fully process a CBC, CMP, lipid panel, thyroid levels, etc. requires your facility to be certified as a MODERATE-Level Complexity lab. The certification process is handled by the FDA, CMS, and the CDC.

In speaking with our McKesson vendor, he said they have a partner company they refer out to to help facilities obtain this level. It can take 6-12 months to complete the paperwork and other requirements. The fee for them to get you through the process is around $4-6K. The fee for the application seems minimal, but there is also a fee for the state inspection of your facility, and that varies by state. (The McKesson rep said he thought the fee in FL for a Certificate of Waiver facility is about $1500! He didn't know what the fee is for the Moderate Level Complexity lab.)

And there's even more involved...stay tuned!!!

01/09/2021

Hi all! So let’s talk about blood analysis machines in the office! Step 1 is you have to secure CLIA certification. CLIA regulates labs and there are levels to certification.

The first level is essentially no registration. This allows you to do “CLIA-waived” tests in your office. There are a few of these, like blood glucose and COVID antibodies.

The next level is for a low level complexity lab - and this allows a few more tests…say maybe a pregnancy test, but not things like CBCs, CMPs, lipids, nutrients, thyroid, etc. 😪

This level of registration requires paperwork…a registration fee (I think around $1500)…and a lab director with specific credentials.

Stay tuned to hear more about CLIA lab requirements!!

01/08/2021

Today is August 1st....I know what that means...it means NEW CONTENT is dropping in the Functional Wellness Docs PREMIUM Membership! This month sees the addition of 10 new resources, including 1 powerpoint, 2 chart note templates, 2 sets of interview questions for clinic positions, and 4 patient education handouts! Topics include candida, breast screening options, sleep hygiene, and more! All of this content is customizable and brandable for members of our premium membership. Stop recreating the wheel and spend more time doing what you love!

31/07/2021

10 Supplements to Support the Immune System

31/07/2021

Welcome to Thrive! Wellness Center Video Introduction of Dr. Kelley S. Mulhern

31/07/2021

Allergy Headaches -Causes and Solutions by Dr. Kelley S. Mulhern from Thrive Wellness Center.

31/07/2021

How to webinar on STRESS HEADACHES and what to do about them.

31/07/2021

How to 30 minute webinar on NATURAL Healthcare options. No drugs or medications. Get healthy naturally.

31/07/2021

Functional Medicine Bloodwork Analysis Spreadsheet

08/07/2021

Functional Medicine Lab Finder app allows doctors and healthcare practitioners to easily identify the appropriate diagnostic lab for their functional medicine patients. Install this app on your iPhone, Desktop or iPad and search hundreds of lab tests by test name, lab name or condition type.

22/05/2021

3x4 Genetics has recently revised their practitioner onboarding process! It used to require you to watch a 3 hour training on their tests, and that has been reduced to 2 hours!

17/05/2021

Samples of forms in Jumpstart Kit

17/05/2021

Functional Bloodwork Analysis Spreadsheet Report samples

15/05/2021

Hi Everyone! I wanted to let everyone know that I am running a Free Book Promotion for the next 5 days on Amazon KDP Select for my e-book Community Connections: Relationship Marketing for Healthcare Professionals that I published last week. My book is free, but I ask that you please do a book review on Amazon about my book when you are finished reading it. Thank you to MY community! Dr. Kelley S. Mulhern.

15/05/2021

Hi everyone, Dr. Kelley S. Mulhern letting my social media community that I have an important announcement tomorrow morning (Sat May 15th) at 9ET. I am sharing some exciting news and I want my fanbase to check Facebook at 9ET tomorrow....