An on-site lab can improve patient outcomes and increase profitability for a physician’s practice, and there are companies and consultants who’s priority is to assist in the setup.
Click For Your Free Starting GuideIn today's fast-paced medical environment, Physician practices are operated as small businesses, and it can be difficult to balance patient care and the overall desired profitability of the practice. One way to increase this profitability, while improving patient outcomes, is to place an on-site laboratory within the practice. With the capabilities to process pathology in-house, the turnaround time and the ability to provide the highest level of quality possible are solely within your control. This means less time waiting on your patient's results, faster treatment, and elimination of the chances of a specimen being lost in transit to an offsite lab.
With the right expertise, the laboratory setup can be accomplished in a very cost-effective manner, and give you the specific laboratory needed to deliver these services within your practice. As with any project of this importance, selecting the best company or consultant to provide the laboratory setup service for you will be critical to ensure a desired outcome, so make sure that you perform your due diligence in selecting a vendor.
Laboratories can range from modest to elaborate. Creating a laboratory that fits your needs and patient volume is key to making a POL a profitable scenario.
Create a realistic budget and stick to it
Workflow and functionality are key to an efficient configuration
Select equipment that is a good fit for your lab, not units with unnecessary bells and whistles
It is easy to get caught up in creating your “Dream” laboratory; however, there can be hidden pitfalls that can impact your budget.
Not consulting with an organization that specializes in laboratory set ups can end up being more costly and delay certification of the lab.
Training existing office personnel to work in the laboratory instead of hiring licensed trained laboratory technicians.
Buying non-warrantied equipment on line versus buying from a reputable vendor.
Before starting your POL, visit the sites below to assist in determining what your reimbursement would be and the necessary steps for certification and accreditation.