Gastroenterology & Endoscopy In-House Lab Testing
Enhance Your Practice with In-House Lab Testing
Building a laboratory within a gastroenterology (GI) or endoscopy practice is a strategic move providers often explore. This helps to boost control over their samples and improve their standing with private payers, providing physicians with increased efficiency and revenue opportunities.
Whether you are exploring building a lab from the ground up or adding new lines of testing – we are here to help!
Would your practice benefit from an in-house lab?
- Do you have the specimen volume to support a Global lab?
- Will payers reimburse you for pathology services?
- Do you have the right to send specimens to your lab of choice?
Typically, if a lab sends out at least 4,000 to 5,000 samples annually, it makes sense to consider the benefits of keeping that testing in-house. Check out our recent breakdown of other key considerations when adding an in-house lab.
Our Lighthouse Lab Services team understands this process’s intricacies and is committed to guiding you every step of the way. Whether it’s making the initial decision, planning the set-up, or navigating regulatory requirements, our expertise is at your disposal.
If you own the pathology, it’s part of your practice. You not only cut down on turnaround times, but you are able to treat the patient a little more holistically by developing a greater relationship between the pathologist and the clinician.
Solutions For All Your Pathology Needs!
In an industry where accuracy reigns supreme, every millimeter counts. It is that attention to detail that makes a successful pathology lab. Schedule a Free ConsultationOur Portfolio
See below a few examples of the labs that we have built.
Gastroenterology Lab – NJ
Urology Lab – NY
Gastroenterology Lab – NC
Dermatology Lab – MN
Gastroenterology Lab – PA
Urology Lab – PA
Gastroenterology Lab – CA
Gastroenterology Lab – NY
Key Coding Questions
Have a question related to coding for gastrointestinal, endoscopy, or related laboratory procedures? Check out our coding guide here or contact us.
Our Pathology Services Stats
Pathology Laboratories Built
Types of Pathology Labs We Helped Establish
States With Our Pathology Lab Clients
Average Lab Build Time in Months
FAQs
What Does It Cost to Start an In-House Pathology Laboratory?
In total, most physician office labs will cost about $350,000-$550,000, made up primarily of the cost of construction, lab equipment, and consulting fees.
While that may sound like a significant upfront expense for small- and mid-sized practices, the return on investment (ROI) for building an in-house pathology lab is typically realized relatively quickly. And with an estimated build time of six months, most practices can recoup their costs while enhancing patient care within a reasonable timeframe.
Learn more in this article: What Does It Cost to Start an In-House Pathology Lab?
Why Would We Consider Starting an In-House Pathology Lab, or Physician Office Laboratory (POL)?
Starting an in-house pathology lab, or physician office laboratory (POL), provides a number of benefits for both physicians and patients. A POL is a lab that operates within a physician’s office or clinic and offers diagnostic testing and pathology services to patients.
By having a pathology lab on-site, physicians can quickly and easily obtain test results, which can help inform their diagnoses and treatment decisions. Additionally, owning and operating a POL within your practice allows you to keep revenue lost when shipping samples out to reference laboratories, which in turn increases the value of your practice as a whole.
How Long Does it Take to Build an In-House Pathology Lab?
We plan on 6 months, but it can be less. There are two external factors that can significantly affect the timeline, either expediting or delaying the laboratory buildout project: State licensing and construction.
Our experience in both areas helps get your lab running faster.
Do We Have Enough Space for The Laboratory?
This is one of the first questions that needs to be answered and is dependent on several factors.
SHAPE: The shape of the lab space influences the design. Typically, a rectangular room with 350+ sq ft works well.
LOCATION WITHIN BUILDING: Due to the relatively large quantities of hazardous/flammable chemicals required by the lab, the first or second floor of a building is ideal. Other floors require more planning.
VENTILATION: It is critical that the ventilation plan be designed specifically for the space and use.
ELECTRICAL: Adequate electrical amperage must be available.
FIRE SAFETY MEASURES: The lab may require fire rating and sprinklers.
PLUMBING: Access to plumbing is necessary.
Our team will help you design a compliant space that meets all building codes, plus the needs of the lab.
Do We Need a Consultant to Open a Pathology Lab?
Hiring a consultant has the potential to save you money by avoiding many of the common delays labs run into when they are built without expert advice.
When you hire Lighthouse Lab Services as your consultant, you get the expertise and experience of laboratory professionals whose careers have been built designing, opening, and operating pathology labs.
Should We Buy New or Used Laboratory Equipment?
The Pathology Lab Solutions team at Lighthouse selects equipment based on each individual lab’s needs.
When helping a lab make equipment selections, we consider specimen volume as well as whether traditional or microwave processing is best for the lab. We look to minimize potential downtime without requiring redundancy.
Can We Find The Necessary Staff?
Yes! We’ve never had a problem and we’ve worked in some locations where you might think finding qualified staff and histology technicians would be difficult.
In fact, our long history as the nation’s leading laboratory recruiting firm has helped Lighthouse Lab Services develop a database with 190,000+ clinical lab professionals, giving us unparalleled access to candidates.
Lighthouse Lab Services helps you hire qualified staff who can provide quality pathology services. We will:
- Do your hiring
- Train you to hire for future needs
- Assist with onboarding and HR
- Provide a money-saving strategy to hire lab assistants for some tasks
- Train your Histotech to be the Lab Manager
Will The Odors From The Lab Impact My Patients?
We work with your HVAC contractor to develop a system to meet OSHA regulations and the comfort of your patients and staff.