Improving the Laboratory Investigation Price Revising Process at Sri Jayawardhanapura General Hospital

Sri Jayawardhanapura General Hospital (SJGH) is a non-profit public enterprise that offers reasonable services. The hospital relies on government grants and revenue generated by patient care services for funding. One of its crucial departments is a laboratory, which serves as a vital support service and the main profit center. However, the frequent rise of consumable prices during economic crises significantly impacts the variable costs of laboratory tests, resulting in financial losses.
Calculating the cost incurred by laboratory investigations is essential for implementing a price revision strategy to address this issue. Given the absence of a recognized method for calculating investigation costs, adopting the World Health Organization's Laboratory Test Costing Tool (LTCT), a user-friendly Microsoft Excel-based tool, is recommended. This tool is specifically designed to assist in calculating laboratory test costs, ensuring a more accurate understanding of expenses incurred.
Additionally, establishing key indicators to signal the need for price revision and assigning responsibility to initiate the price revision process when these indicators are triggered will streamline the process and improve its responsiveness to financial challenges. By employing such a system, SJGJ can better manage its laboratory costs, maintain service quality, and ensure sustainable operations even during economic hardships.