Which Molecular Tests should a Pathologist’s Assistant’s Lab Perform – Part Three
The number of samples that must be processed in order to break even on the set up costs must be estimated. Molecular tests often require control samples, both positive and negative, in order to process one patient sample. Control samples can be expensive, and the cost of these samples must be built into the cost to run the test. Some tests might use a reagent that expires after a certain amount of time. A laboratory leader must decide whether there will be enough tests requested to use all of the reagent before it expires.
Repeat tests sometimes need to be run by pathologist’s assistants or other laboratory professionals when a test result is hard to read. The number of repeat tests that will need to be done by a pathologist’s assistant can be estimated by the vendors, but it makes sense to verify those numbers by asking other users.
The amount of time that it will take for a pathologist’s assistant or other laboratory professional to run each test needs to be considered. Vendors can give time estimates, and these estimates can be verified by other users of the products.
Equipment cost and setup costs are very important to factor in. Technology is always improving, and a laboratory must think about how long a piece of equipment will be up to date before there will be a need to purchase new equipment for pathologist’s assistants to use.
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Source:
Savaloja, Lynette C. (November 3, 3008) Choosing the Right Molecular Tests. Advance for Medical Laboratory Professionals.
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