It’s relatively common in the medical imaging community to rent mobile imaging equipment. CT scanners, MRI machines, and PET scanners are all modalities that are often available in trailers and moved between facilities. A modality that gets less attention in this space is mobile cath labs.
If you’re considering adding or upgrading cath/angio capabilities at your facility, there are a number of reasons why renting a mobile first- maybe even indefinitely- could be a winning option for you. Keep reading to find out four reasons to rent a mobile cath lab, which systems you’re most likely to find in mobile trailers, and how much you can expect to pay to rent a mobile.
Reasons for Renting a Mobile Cath Lab
The reasons for renting a mobile cath lab are often similar to those for renting mobile CT or MRI units
Your Fixed System Has Overflow
Sometimes the workload can be too much for a single system to handle. If you find yourself running your fixed system at full capacity, but still building up a back log of patients, a mobile cath lab can help alleviate the situation.
To Maintain Patient Traffic During An Upgrade or Remodel
Remodeling for and installing a cath lab can take weeks. Our team can deliver and set up a mobile cath system before your existing fixed lab goes offline, allowing you to keep your schedule in the interim.
You Have More Work Than Space
Sometimes the patient volume needs of a facility necessitate a second cath lab. Unfortunately, not every facility has the space to add a second lab without a serious remodel. A mobile allows you to have the lab you need without adding square footage to your building.
You Have Relatively Low Cath Lab Patient Volume
Maybe your cath lab patient volume is on the other end of the spectrum. If you have just a few patients needing cath or angio services each week, it can be hard to justify the purchase and installation of a fixed lab. A mobile cath lab system could be used on a route for only a day or two each week.
Which Cath Lab Systems Are Available in Mobile Units?
Floor-mounted systems are most common in cath/angio systems available in trailers. This means GE labs, all of which are floor-mounted in the single plane configuration are very common in mobile units. Philips systems, which are more often ceiling-mounted, are not found in many trailers.
Both analog and digital systems are available. Which of these you choose will be a determining factor in calculating your rental rate.
Average Cost to Rent a Mobile Cath Lab
The monthly rate to rent a mobile cath lab will vary across two primary factors: 1) The model of the system you choose, and 2) The length of your rental term. In general, expect to pay more for a trailer with a digital system in it than a trailer with an analog system. Conversely, you can expect a longer rental term to result in a lower monthly payment.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re testing, implementing, maintaining, or expanding cath/angio services, we want you to know that mobile cath labs are available to help make it happen.