LII:The Comprehensive Guide to Physician Office Laboratory Setup and Operation/Introduction

1. Introduction

This guide attempts to take what was discussed in the The Practical Guide to the U.S. Physician Office Laboratory white paper and expand upon it and the topic of the physician office laboratory (POL).

Where the white paper was largely created to assist the reader with the decision-making processes related to becoming affiliated with a POL, this guide provides a more in-depth discussion of the clinical environment, testing domains, and data management, as well as including POL-friendly vendor and distributor information. Before continuing, you may benefit from looking at the following:

• Physician office laboratory
• The Practical Guide to the U.S. Physician Office Laboratory
• Health Information Technology for the Physician Office Laboratory

No recommendations are explicitly made, though appropriate best practices are mentioned.

About the Laboratory Informatics Institute

The goal of the Laboratory Informatics Institute (LII) is to offer an open membership program to all individuals and organizations, which service or are employed within the laboratory industry. The LII's mission is to help all laboratories become more efficient and automated through the adoption of laboratory informatics applications and systems. By establishing an open trade association, members of the LII help shape and direct future laboratory informatics standards. Our members help educate and inform other members, and the LII will provide tools and resources to help all laboratories adopt a level of knowledge that is right for them.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the most popular instruments, products, and other supplies for the POL and their price range?

Through this guide we learn that dipstick urinalysis, the hematological complete blood count (CBC) test, and clinical chemistry tests represent the most popular procedures performed in POLs. The guide further discusses the equipment associated with these tests and also includes, at the end, a variety of suppliers, distributors, and consultants related to the POL.

2. Where do I go to get help with my POL?

The last section of this guide has listings for consultants, vendors, and other professionals that service the POL market. This list has been compiled from publicly available information, and it is included here as a resource for people who need help with their POL. If you still need assistance, feel free to contact the Laboratory Informatics Institute, which can help you with finding the appropriate professional.

3. How do I best use this guide?

The content of this guide is meant to be read as a whole, but a single section may have all the content a reader needs. Use the chapter list to find what you are looking for.

4. How do I update my listing in this guide?

To update your listing in the guide, please feel free to contact us. We try to keep the listings current, but we also understand that information changes, sometimes rapidly.

5. My question isn't covered here, now what?

If your question isn't covered here or directly in the guide, please contact us.

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