You have decided to start an IVF clinic and you just realized that setting up the Outpatient department (OPD) is simple, but the more daunting task is that of setting up an IVF laboratory.
Setting up a laboratory is not just brick and mortar but a lot more than that, there are many variables that need to be addressed for the functionality of a good laboratory.
There will be many people in the industry offering you the “best” equipment or infrastructure but who will know the working of a Laboratory better than the embryologist. Did you ever think that placement of equipment and the material used on ceiling and floor can have a huge impact? What about the right kind of filters and how many? These are just some of the things that should be kept in mind while planning a good, sustainable laboratory.
Cost is one of the biggest determinant of setting up an IVF laboratory. IVF laboratory set up will eat up 40% of your entire budget you have set for the IVF clinic. The cost will depend on number of key factors like size of the laboratory, how many cases you expect to do in the laboratory, Choice of equipment and so on. The thing about an IVF laboratory is that the cost can vary from lab to lab it is about using the resources effectively.
There are lot of international and local make of the same equipment, the former being much more expensive than the latter. The key is in procuring a mix of local and international brand of equipment, to not break your budget while maintain the quality standards in the laboratory. To put things into perspective one of the most important equipment in the laboratory is the ICSI station and that alone takes up 45% of your allocated laboratory budget. The cost might go up slightly, if you chose to invest in an Air Handling unit (AHU). AHU is highly recommended for good air quality in the laboratory. However, there are other filters which are much cheaper to control the environment inside the laboratory.
We have covered more about equipment and personnel needed in the laboratory in our blog post: Equipment and lab Personnel in an IVF Laboratory
While setting up a laboratory with ‘Archish’ you can be assured that you are covering not only the physical aspects but also building a laboratory based on scientific backing and after years of working in the laboratory these are just some of the aspects we will concentrate on while setting up a laboratory for you:
IUI lab is considered as a stepping stone to an IVF laboratory. This is a semi sterile laboratory with very basic equipment. You do not need a dedicated space for an IUI laboratory any small room or part of a big room will suffice. The cost of setting up an IUI laboratory is 10% that of an IVF laboratory.
If your clinic is already doing semen analysis and semen freezing, the same area can be modified to an IUI laboratory. The cost of upgradation from a simple to a full-fledged IUI laboratory is not very expensive.
If you invest in an IUI laboratory, your next step of setting up and IVF clinic will be relatively easy.
Our aim with "Archish" is to provide real and quality information about what happens behind the closed doors of an IVF laboratory. We help you understand "embryos" and the secret behind the working of a good IVF laboratory.
