The healthcare industry is one of the most significant fields that affect the whole world population and is inextricably related to any country’s progress. It also has a significant impact on how a country is seen in terms of preserving economic stability. As a result, healthcare systems are an important aspect of government initiatives across the world, and industry spending is expected to rise at a 4.1% annual pace between 2017 and 2021.
However, as healthcare expenditure rises and the business evolves, accessibility remains a major issue. At least half of the world’s population does not have access to the necessary health services, which is an extremely high figure, especially given that this is a sector that affects almost everyone at some time in their lives. Furthermore, due to a lack of access to excellent, cheap healthcare, it is projected that 100 million individuals fall into poverty each year as a result of out-of-pocket health expenses.
Premier Health Center is one such diagnostic center that stands out by offering services at reasonable costs. We had the opportunity to learn about their journey. Read the following interview to know more about this eminent diagnostic center.
Please describe to us about Premier Health Center in detail.
We were the first diagnostic center to open in 1980, offering a full range of imaging and laboratory services under one roof. We offer pathology and radiology services to all private medical institutions, government hospitals, and community centers in the state and operate several freestanding hospitals.
We have a world-class staff that gives access to high-quality, cost-effective, best-practice diagnostics across many locations, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Pathology, Radiology, Medical Imaging, Digital X-rays, PCR-based Tests, CR-Digitizer, Cutting Edge Lab Tech, Clinical Assistance, and providing Support Staff are all part of our uncompromised service range. The government of Tamil Nadu, as well as several hospitals, have acknowledged our firm for precision diagnostics, and it is approved by NABL
What inspired you to enter the industry you are catering to?
Our long-term goal is to create a disease-free society through improving diagnosis and early prevention through health screening.
Being one of the first diagnostic centers in the state, we provide diagnostic services using brand new, cutting-edge technology, with uncompromising quality results delivered in a transparent and customer-focused way. We began with the goal of being the most dependable and trustworthy healthcare provider in the state. Today, this is reflected in the company’s daily footfall of more than 2000 people. We are always seeking new ways to use cutting-edge technology to improve people’s lives.
I would want to take this opportunity to thank all of the physicians who have put their faith in us. I want to thank all of our workers, customers, associates, stakeholders, well-wishers, and others for their unwavering support; without it, we would not be where we are today.
The most recent achievement is the opening of Tamil Nādu’s first state-of-the-art Premier-Select in Anna Nagar-Shanthi Colony. In order to better serve clients, it is adding modern amenities to ‘Select.’ It is causing a new occurrence in the city’s diagnostic landscape. PHC SELECT provides a pleasant ambience that makes patients feel rejuvenated, cheerful, and relaxed.
It is spread in a completely furnished 3,000 sq. ft. space. PHC SELECT features some of the first-of-its-kind facilities, such as Veineux, Drive-in Collection, Lounge Access, Pleasant Interiors, and No Extra Charges, in addition to a comprehensive selection of world-class testing equipment. Its main objective is to understand its patients’ health better.
The core values of the organization have laid its foundation for success which is:
- Patients First: Patients are at the heart of everything we do
- Medical Leadership: Improving outcomes through evidence-based care
- Everyone Counts: We work safely, inclusively, and respect each other.
- Create Value: Deliver sustainable value to all Stakeholders
- Embrace Change: Strive for excellence and have the courage to Innovate
What kind of services do you provide to your clients?
With a goal assertion that reads “Trusted by Doctors, Preferred by Patients,” we provide a wide array of services to meet the demands of our clients while progressing to expand the area of services.
Few of our services are.
- Lab Departments
- Health Packages
- Imaging Section
- Cardiac and Neuro
- Contrast Study
- Home Services
- Doppler Study
Our inexpensive and personalized home collection service PREMIER HOME CARE, a one-stop solution for patients, is one of its important characteristics. A user-friendly, technology-driven platform that allows patients to make decisions based on time, comfort, location, and turnaround time. Patients also have the option of having samples taken in the comfort of their own homes by a skilled phlebotomist.
We assist firms via Health Screening; consultants can tailor packages to a specific company’s needs in order to improve efficiency and quality of life. We provide reasonable pricing and personalized corporate accounts with several payment forms and wellness packages for corporates with a minimum of 10 workers up to 1000 employees, recognizing the need of the hour. This includes premium diagnostic services, a corporate level report for the Human Resources (HR) division that captures their employees’ health status and highlights special cases that may require immediate attention or supervision.
Patients get a procedure that is tailored to their preferences. They can acquire information on particular tests and profiles that need to be completed by contacting the 24/7 patient care line and installing/using the HOME CARE Service. We provide all pertinent information, such as pricing, quality, certifications, and normal return time. Patients can then pick when they would want to get home care. Patients can arrange home sample collection requests with our PREMIER HOME CARE team at a time and date that is convenient for them. The request is forwarded to phlebotomists who work in the region. Based on their availability, the phlebotomist approves the request. In addition, the phlebotomist will arrive at the patient’s house on time to take the sample in a safe and sanitary manner and transfer it to the nearest PHC.
The sample collecting method is technology-driven, and samples are transported in a specifically built box with bar-coded tubes, ensuring exceptional sample quality and accurate findings. Our reports are also available via mobile apps and websites, as we live in the digital age and use the virtual world. Customers can get complete reports as soon as they are made available online. After the billing is completed, the patient will receive an SMS with an id and password to access the report, which will be available for viewing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Patients do not need to be concerned about obtaining an online report because they will receive an SMS notification once the report has been published to the website/mobile app.
Quality principles underpin all elements of PHC’s services, including:
- To be the patient and healthcare provider of choice, providing a patient-centered service while continuing to satisfy the needs of local and hospital-based professionals, our healthcare partners, and all patients.
- By offering instant diagnoses, we can strengthen our speedy access and communication capabilities.
- To efficiently utilize assets by making the most of patient care settings, maximizing the patient and referring doctor experience, and improving access to service availability.
- Maintaining a culture of clinical best practice throughout the business while assuring all team members’ personal and professional growth.
Please brief us about the infrastructure of PHC.
The head processing center is spread out over two levels and covers an area of 8000 square feet, with a separate lounge dedicated to corporate and association clients. The lab is ideally positioned in the city’s center, and it is well-connected to the city’s other 27 facilities via online reporting. A capable staff of 220 technicians manages it.
How do you ensure that patients receive the finest treatment?
Our continuous investment in high-quality equipment guarantees that patients have access to treatments comparable to those offered by premier worldwide medical centers. It continues to assess medical equipment demands and invests in new technologies when enhanced modalities or newer and better equipment are identified. The organization guarantees that all employees have the appropriate training and operational skills to ensure that patients receive the finest possible results from the procedure.
Employees get personalized reports detailing their overall health, including physical, social, and emotional well-being. PHC organizes presentations by industry experts to raise awareness and advice staff based on the reports. With a variety of corporate healthcare programmers, the firm is dedicated to keeping employees and children in good health so that they may be more productive. It also provides on-site ECG, PFT, and eye testing to corporations in addition to wellness initiatives. PHC also performs health check-ups in schools/colleges, where the focus is on conducting routine check-ups and recording health conditions unique to the requirements of growing children in order to nurture the minds and bodies of future generations.
PHC has built up clinical labs in newly created hospitals as well as managed “in-hospital” clinical laboratories in existing hospitals, to conduct onsite testing as per the hospital’s requirements, using the full Hospital Lab Management (HLM) model. In laboratory services, it takes a 360-degree approach.
How is technology helping PHC grow?
Staff training and technology adoption go hand in hand at PHC. A significant investment in employee education is a key value within the practice. To maintain a competitive advantage, the corporation examines its equipment portfolio on a regular basis and seeks out new technology. Assessing and extending service sites to suit the demands of any predicted population expansion is part of future planning. ADVIA CENTAUR XP, D-10 HEMOGLOBIN TESTING SYSTEM, DIASYS 400, DIMENSION EXL 200 INTEGRATEDCHEMISTRY SYSTEM, MINI VIDAS, SWELAB, VITEK 2 COMPACT, and YUMIZEN H500 are some of PHC’s innovative equipment.
Where do you PHC in the future? Kindly tell us about your strategies for scaling your business.
We have received several awards during the course of our lengthy existence and development. BioRad and Silicon India 2019, to mention two recent prizes, were both applauded for their great performance. The growth over the last four decades will continue to be a key factor in the future. We want to expand to 100 branches across Tamil Nadu by 2022, with the best-in-class 40 laboratories from around the state. We’re getting ready for the future. PHC is expanding its capacity to include over 2500 different types of studies, allowing for early detection and prevention of health problems.
Redefining Leadership
Pradeep Chakravarthy J, the Managing Director of PHC, is a hardworking individual. Pradeep’s father handed over the management to him in 2000, and since then, he has worked relentlessly and formed partnerships with a number of medical institutions. As a consequence, PHC is currently one of the best diagnostic centers in the state, serving over 40 sites. Despite the fierce competition in the business, he has managed to put PHC on the map by supplying high-quality medical technology.
His persistence and futuristic approach enabled the common man to get excellent diagnosis, which was previously costly for individuals of all classes, thanks to his ambition to make healthcare accessible and cheap to the public. All of his business efforts have one purpose in mind: to improve healthcare availability and cost. Silicon India named him the ‘Pioneering Med-Tech Savant’ in appreciation of his remarkable leadership abilities.
