PRACTICE RESOURCES » OFFICE-BASED LAB RESOURCES

Office-Based Labs: Trends & Best Practices

Interview with J. Joseph Hewett, MD, MBA

The outpatient market, particularly Office-Based Lab (OBL) or Outpatient Interventional Suite (OIS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) venues, is rapidly growing, fueled by factors such as physicians seeking autonomy and patients looking for convenient care options. In this article, we share Dr. Hewett’s perspectives on emerging trends and best practices.

What procedures are typically performed in an OBL/ASC setting?
Almost all endovascular procedures can be performed in an OBL/ASC setting, including:

• Diagnostic imaging (including cardiac)
• Angioplasty and stenting
• Atherectomy
• Thrombectomy
• Embolization (e.g., Uterine Artery Embolization)
• IVUS
• Dialysis access declots
• IVC filter placement and removal
• Venous ablation
• Central venous interventions
• DVT interventions

Always make sure to check with manufacturer DFUs regarding product use in OBL/ASC settings

What are the benefits of physician-directed care?
There are multiple benefits to this treatment approach:

• Physicians seeking autonomy have a greater degree of control over the administrative aspects of their practice
• Better physician productivity and efficiency
• Patients drawn to it due to increased convenience, comfort, improved experience
• Developments in minimally-invasive surgical technique

What does the OBL landscape currently look like?
There are an estimated 500-600* OBL centers around the country. 
Individual states regulate and govern which procedures are covered.