Things you need to know before opening a diagnostic center

Accurate diagnosis is the first step towards disorder or curing a disease. There is a considerable demand for clinical diagnostic centers and labs that is increasing daily. Opening a diagnostics center can be a great business opportunity. But before you start one, it is important to have a clear idea of how to set up a diagnostic center and what all challenges you might be facing. It would be best if you had a good diagnostic center business plan ready before you jump onto the wagon.

The market is expected to grow by 21% in the next five years, so it is a great time to start an advanced diagnostic center with all the modern equipment to suit the patients.

If you are wondering how to open a diagnostic center, then here some of the steps and factors that you can keep in mind while doing so:

1. Space Requirement

Your diagnostic center should have enough space to accommodate at least 100 patients. Avoid a congested environment as the patients should not be left to be in close proximity due to insufficient space. Space planning is essential. Assign separate spaces for different tests. Do not club two or more departments as that might lead to misplaced results or undesirable situations. You must make sure that space is an important component of your business plan for a medical diagnostic center.

2. Software Tools

To set up a hi-tech and modern lab, it is vital to make everything computerised. This would eliminate the possibility of errors and help you manage things efficiently. Keep a record of the medical history and use robust software tools to ease out the tasks.

3. Hiring Staff

An organisation is known by its staff. You must have a highly skilled team of technicians, doctors, and pathologists. The lab technicians must have the knowledge and skills to run the equipment. Moreover, the staff selected to work in the lab should meet the standard qualifications related to a specific designation. Also, make sure that you hire someone who is qualified to work with patients and can handle the pressure that comes with the job. A good staff will help you make a successful pathological center.

The recruiting process should have a good screening process so that the people you hire are efficient enough to handle the complex issues in the medical field. Moreover, it is important to organise regular induction and training programs during the initial stages when someone is appointed.

4. Train professionals

Proper training needs to be given to the professionals to ensure that they perform their tasks well. The staff working in the lab need to be vaccinated in order to protect them from catching communicable diseases from the patients.

You need to give orientation and make the people understand your vision so that everyone is on the same page and would work for the lab to become a success.

Initial days of setup require a lot of investment when it comes to time and handling the procedures. The professionals involved with your brand must know about the time and effort needed to keep the lab running successfully.

5. Equipment

The equipment that is used in a pathology lab needs to be modern, up-to-date, and efficient. It is best to have the best equipment in your pathological lab. Otherwise, you will receive poor ratings. Have a wide variety of testing tools to make sure that your lab meets the requirements of a large range of patients. Also, try to make your lab cater to most of the basic testing requirements. Patients look for basic facilities in a single place to not have to visit multiple places.

You need to consider the safety aspect of the purchased equipment and carry out measures that would help in maintenance. The instruments can be very expensive and require a large amount of capital, so it is important to invest in quality equipment.

6. Infrastructure Requirement

It is important to focus on the lab’s infrastructure as that would ensure that your staff works effectively without any disruption. Moreover, it is important to plan out a clear layout for the diagnosis room for each department so that everything runs smoothly.

Cleanliness is another important factor that needs to be taken into account. Otherwise, it would turn people away. Moreover, it would create a lot of problems for both the staff as well as the patients.

It is better to hire a professional who can understand all the requirements of the infrastructure that is required for opening a diagnostic lab, and they will also help you determine the costs for the same.

7. Marketing Plans

With a good marketing plan, you can create awareness about your lab and the programs you have initiated so far. You can attract more patients with proper planning and even establish a social media presence for brand awareness.

8. Investment and finances

Investing in pathological labs requires a large amount of capital as there are many factors involved, such as equipment, hiring the staff and trained doctors, and so much more. The machines used for diagnosis and examination are pretty expensive, and it is crucial to have enough capital to buy modern equipment. In addition to the machinery, it is also essential to have adequate investment, maintenance, water, electricity, etc.

You need to determine the total price and look at the specific costs to get started. Keep a price sheet handy and determine the maximum and minimum costs that are required in every case. You need to realise different price points and have a clear range of elements you want to include in your finances. You can use Okcredit and Okstaff to reduce your stress and manage your diagnostics center efficiently.

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FAQS

Q. How to start a diagnostic center in India?

Ans. If you are planning to start a diagnostic center, you need to register your business and obtain the relevant licenses. There are some laws and rules that need to be followed in order to gain loyalty and credibility from the customers.

Moreover, you need to hire qualified professionals and find the right location for your business. You also need to design a place that will be comfortable for your patients to spend a considerable amount of time in.

Hire qualified staff and find the right location for your business. Design your space in a way that keeps patients comfortable and at a safe distance. Make a good plan, and you are all set to launch your diagnostic center.

Q. What are the different types of licenses that are required?

Fire Department NOC
Municipality NOC
Accreditation from National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
Accreditation from Good Clinical Practices (GCP)
Waste generation approval from the pollution board in your stat

Q. What is an ideal marketing plan for a diagnostics center?

Ans. The product needs to speak for itself. Ensure that you keep your customers satisfied and provide them with good services so that they would come back for your services and spread awareness about your brand with word of mouth. Moreover, you can also expand your presence with the help of digital media and SEO.

Here are some of the factors that you need to consider when you are planning the marketing strategy:

Make sure you have a functional website
Internal marketing and word of mouth
Social media marketing
Tie-up with other hospitals
Tie-up with an organisation that provides mass checkups at subsidised rates.

Q. How much will I need to invest?

Ans. That would entirely depend on your business plan and the kind of expansion that you are looking for. The cost includes everything right from infrastructure, equipment, hiring staff, maintenance costs, and so on. So, plan out the investment and capital it will take before starting a diagnostic center.