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.
Our team of experts designs, staffs, licenses, manages, and supports in-house laboratories for GI practices, allowing providers and staff to remain focused on patient care while we handle laboratory operations behind the scenes.
Your specimens. Your testing. Your Revenue. We handle the lab.
Would your practice benefit from an in-house lab?
There are three primary questions to help you understand whether you would benefit from keeping your testing in-house:
- 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 Complimentary ConsultationHow We Work With Gastroenterology Practices
Lighthouse supports GI and Endoscopy practices and physicians across every phase of their laboratory program. Our proven six-step process takes practices from initial concept to a fully operational laboratory, typically in as little as 90 days.
Initial Consultation
We begin by learning about your practice, your patient volume, testing needs, and growth goals. From there, we build a project plan and timeline tailored specifically to your organization.
Resources Allotment
Our consultants develop your test menu, select instrumentation and software, identify the supplies you will need, and help you choose a laboratory location that fits your space and workflow.
Credentialing
Lighthouse takes the lead on processing and enrollment for your CLIA certificate and any required state laboratory licensing, keeping your project moving without placing that administrative burden on your team.
Staffing
We help you build a qualified laboratory team, from medical lab technicians to a laboratory director, providing the best candidates in the timeliest manner so your program launches fully staffed.
Implementation
Our team assists in writing standard operating procedures, method development, and equipment validation. We ensure your staff is trained and your laboratory is operating to compliance standards before a single specimen is processed.
Go-Live
When your laboratory is ready to launch, we are there. We support your initial operations, prepare your team for inspections, and provide continued support for three years as your lab runs and grows.
Our 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
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
Start With a Practice Assessment
Your Complete Gastroenterology Lab Solution
Every GI practice is unique. Whether you are evaluating an in-house laboratory for the first time or looking for greater operational control over your existing testing program, Lighthouse helps practices understand whether an in-house laboratory makes financial and operational sense for their organization.
Our team will evaluate your patient volume, testing workflows, and growth goals to develop a customized approach for your practice, at no cost and no obligation.
Gain Peace of Mind Through Our Comprehensive Solutions:
Expertise in both technical validation and revenue cycle compliance
Cross-functional team of scientists, compliance specialists, and RCM professionals
Proven track record helping wellness practices take control of their laboratory testing
Instrument support and upgrade options
Dedicated lab recruiting and staffing
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?
What Are the Benefits of 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 I Have Enough Space for an Office Lab?
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 I Need a Consultant to Open a Pathology Lab?
While regulations don’t require a consultant, it is highly recommended you use one.
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 I Buy New or Used Laboratory Equipment?
If you don’t know the history of a piece of used equipment, it is best to buy a new one. There are a few large pieces that can be considered for “used” purchase from one of our equipment refurbishing partners. Most small equipment is recommended to be purchased new.
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.
How Do I Find Qualified Staff?
We’ve never had a problem locating qualified staff, and we’ve worked in some locations where you might think finding candidates 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.
Lighthouse Acquires MJB Lab Consulting, Expanding Medical Leadership Services