PRACTICE RESOURCES » OFFICE-BASED LAB RESOURCES
Key OBL Considerations

PHASE 1: Establishing a Strong Foundation
1. Select Appropriate Business Model |
2. Identify Location of Choice | 3. Identify and Engage with Key Professionals | |
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Identify appropriate structure – sole owner, partnership, JV, etc.
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Deepen knowledge on state specifications (for ASC, in particular)
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Develop a network of key relationships – healthcare attorney, architect, finance/banking
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Determine appropriate business model: OBL/ ASC/ Hybrid
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Conduct feasibility study for specific zip code
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Connect with societies – OEIS, ASCA, SVS, etc.
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Determine which procedures will be performed in the lab
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Identify possible sites and evaluate lease vs. own
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Identify 2-5 peers for site visits, shared learnings, etc.
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Create a 1-yr; 3-yr; and 5-yr business and marketing plan
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PHASE 2: Setting Up the Business
4. Consider Sourcing of Key Equipment | 5. Identify Staffing Needs |
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After the build-out, capital equipment is the second highest cost
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Can be a high operating cost
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For the lab, will typically need: fluoroscopy unit, C-arm, imaging table, patient monitors, back-up power, defibrillators, carts, etc. Plan basic office furniture needs, TV/plasma screens for display, wall décor, chairs, etc.
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Min. clinical requirements include 2 RNs, a Scrub Tech, an X-Ray Tech, and a few medical assistants
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By purchasing some refurbished equipment, typical interventional lab can be equipped in $500K or less
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Other administrative staff that often gets overlooked can play a valuable role in an OBL. Identify personnel who will perform the following tasks – scheduling, medical records, inventory management, coding and billing. Some of these functions may be outsourced.
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Consider financing resources – leases, bank loans
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Ensure diligent quality controls and processes to comply with governmental regulations
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Consider Part-Time help for certain functions if Full-Time is cost prohibitive
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PHASE 3: Planning Core Activities
6. Plan Out Core Procedures | 7. Identify & Secure Systems | 8. Identify & Secure Vendors |
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Identify core procedures and areas of specialty
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Business policies and procedures must be developed and adhered to
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Determine key vendors for medical devices and disposables (e.g. surgical gloves, etc.)
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Align with market, demographic, referral channels, as well as local competition
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Identify and secure technology systems for patient scheduling and follow-up; EMR/PACS, coding/billing, workflow management, and inventory management
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Develop an internal decision criteria that works best for you, given your own individual preferences. Factors your peers deem important: quality of products, how easy to work with, pricing, competent sales reps, and existing relationship
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Process of tracking clinical outcomes will help build credibility amongst local referral sources and societies
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Obtain pricing from your key vendors and understand all the value you will be receiving for that price – case coverage, solutions, competency, quality of products
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Become knowledgeable in local reimbursement rates for each procedure from different payers
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While vendors of medical devices are extremely easy to access, consider engaging them early as they can provide meaningful resources and solutions to overcome your early obstacles
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