Why should a cardiology practice have its own outpatient cath lab?
There are a variety of reasons for a practice to own its own cath lab facility, but the primary reasons are to: • improve work efficiency • enhance patient satisfaction, and increase practice income. Physician-owned outpatient cath labs are more efficient than inpatient labs, and can relieve the delay often experienced by patients scheduled for an elective diagnostic cath in a hospital lab. Efficiency results when the cardiology group, rather than the hospital, has control of hiring, staffing levels, and scheduling. Cardiologist schedules are more predictable because the cases are all elective. A more predictable and efficient cath lab schedule results in greater physician satisfaction and productivity. The American patient has come to expect personalized, convenient, and rapid service. In general, outpatient facilities can provide better customer service and amenities than hospitals, resulting in superior patient satisfaction. In recent years, cardiologists suffered significant cuts i
