Excerpt from Cardiovascular Business Magazine - VOLUME: 4, No. 11, November 2010. "Mobile/Modular Labs Offer Cost-Effective Solution to Growth", Kaitlyn Dmyterko
Converting an interventional lab into the space of a trailer truck may not be ideal, but more facilities are weighing the pros and cons of utilizing mobile or modular (which are somewhat larger) labs, while their own cath or electrophysiology (EP) labs are being constructed, renovated or upgraded.
In 2007, the 227-bed LaPorte Hospital in LaPorte, Ind., noticed it was losing EP patients to other physician groups 30 to 40 miles away that could perform EP procedures. The provider decided to implement an EP program, but the construction and ultimate operation of a new lab would take nearly two years. LaPorte looked at temporarily integrating EP into the cath lab, but decided against that option because of the cath lab's busy volume, says Chris Atherton, RN, director of electrophysiology services. After assessing a cost-benefit profile, the facility found it would be most advantageous to use a modular unit (Modular Devices).
"The driving force for the EP lab is the need to provide the service at the facility so we could keep the patients local," says Atherton.
At first, hospital executives were hesitant to invest major capital into a program they were unsure would succeed. "A temporary modular EP unit was the right choice because we could see how EP would work in the facility, assess the need for EP services and determine whether we surpassed our initial goals," Atherton says.
Facilities can choose to equip mobile and modular units with all or some of the technology. The mobile company supplies the rest. LaPorte provided its own echo and cautery equipment, as well as ablators, IV pumps, medical carts, defibrillators and other hospital equipment. Modular Devices equipped the lab with a fluoroscopy unit, a hemodynamic and IT system, a 128-channel amplifier, surgical lights and flat-panel monitors. The modular lab has been the facility's main EP lab since April 1, 2008, and is expected to be in use until early next year.
"If we had built the new lab initially, it would have been cost prohibitive-the monthly lease for the modular unit was much more tolerable for the financial situation of the hospital," Atherton notes.
While interim mobile labs can be useful during building, renovating and upgrades, facilities must weigh the costs of resources and leasing fees, as well as the cost of losing patients to competitors. As demand for interventional procedures increase, mobile and modular labs may be the right solution for facilities' growing pains.
