The office laboratory.

Few areas of medicine are experiencing such tremendous growth as the office-based laboratory. Recent advances in technology and changes in reimbursement practices have greatly expanded the potential of this segment of patient care. In the 1990s the physician has opportunity to introduce many testing procedures to the office laboratory that were not available 20 years ago. Requirements in the areas of quality assurance and quality control are constantly changing. These regulations vary from state to state and each laboratory should know what is required by their respective certifying agency. In today's market, the physician must choose between the referral laboratory or the resources in the office and consider which option provides the best in care and cost to the patient.