Office-based vascular lab: is it worth the effort?
The vascular laboratory is an essential part of any contemporary clinical vascular practice. The prototype of the vascular laboratory consisted mainly of instruments designed to understand the hemodynamics of the vascular tree. Earlier versions also played important roles in clinical research. Currently, sophisticated imaging equipments enable clinicians to evaluate the whole range of arterial and venous diseases in the outpatient setting. Both patients and physicians have found this to be very practical and convenient. Furthermore, income generated from performing diagnostic tests in the vascular laboratory helps support a variety of clinical activities and research. However, recent cost-cutting measures by medical insurance carriers are threatening the viability of office-based vascular laboratories
Mansour
M Ashraf
MA
Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. mmansour@mmpc.com
Zwolak
Robert M
RM
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D007753:Laboratories / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D014481:United States; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration