Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
04:41
Measuring Lactase Enzymatic Activity in the Teaching Lab
Published on: August 6, 2018
Summary
Office-based laboratories are rapidly growing due to technological and reimbursement changes. Physicians must navigate evolving quality control regulations and choose between in-office or referral lab services for optimal patient care and cost-effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Medical Diagnostics
- Clinical Laboratory Science
Background:
- The office-based laboratory (OBL) sector is experiencing significant expansion.
- Technological advancements and evolving reimbursement policies are key drivers of this growth.
- Physicians now have access to a wider range of testing procedures within their practice compared to previous decades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the growth and potential of OBLs.
- To discuss the impact of technological and financial changes on OBLs.
- To inform physicians about considerations for in-office laboratory services.
Main Methods:
- Review of technological advancements relevant to OBLs.
- Analysis of changes in healthcare reimbursement practices affecting OBLs.
- Examination of quality assurance and control requirements for OBLs.
Main Results:
- OBLs offer expanded testing capabilities for physicians.
- Quality assurance and control regulations are dynamic and vary by state.
- Physicians face a decision between utilizing referral laboratories or in-office resources.
Conclusions:
- The growth of OBLs presents new opportunities and challenges for healthcare providers.
- Understanding and complying with regulatory requirements is crucial for OBL operation.
- Strategic selection between in-office and referral laboratory services is essential for balancing patient care quality and cost.
Related Concept Videos
01:32The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
01:31Accessory Organs
Accessory organs are those that participate in the digestion of food but do not come into direct contact with it like the mouth, stomach, or intestine do. Accessory organs secrete enzymes into the digestive tract to facilitate the breakdown of food.
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
01:24Automated Microbial Diagnostics
Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...