We compare the cost of the reagent rental model with buying a device for laboratories, using a five-year example.
The complete blood count is one of the most frequently performed tests in medical laboratories. When buying a new analyser, a laboratory manager faces two basic options: buy the device or work under a rental model with a reagent agreement. The right choice depends on daily test volume and cash flow.
The purchase model
The device is paid for in one go; reagents and calibrators can be sourced independently. The reagent cost per test is usually lower, but the maintenance contract, spare parts and any downtime are borne by the institution.
The rental (reagent agreement) model
There is no separate device payment; installation, training, maintenance and a back-up device are included in the price per test. In return there is a minimum annual test commitment and a requirement to buy reagents from the same supplier.
A five-year example
Take a laboratory running 120 haemograms a day (about 37,000 tests a year). In the purchase scenario, say the device costs 900,000 TRY, annual maintenance 54,000 TRY and reagent 14 TRY per test. Five-year cost: 900,000 + 270,000 + (37,000 × 5 × 14 = 2,590,000) = 3,760,000 TRY. In the rental scenario at 17 TRY per test, 37,000 × 5 × 17 = 3,145,000 TRY and cash outflow is spread over the years. When volume falls to 50 a day the gap widens further in favour of rental; above roughly 215 a day, purchase becomes advantageous.
These figures are illustrative; real prices vary with the device, reagent and contract terms.
Questions to ask when deciding
- How will your annual test volume change over three years?
- Are maintenance and back-up device commitments in writing?
- Who owns the device when a rental contract ends?
- Is there a cap on reagent price increases?
The consumables and device payback calculators on our site help you make a first estimate with your own figures. For an exact quotation, our biomedical and laboratory specialists carry out an on-site volume analysis.
From a quality management perspective
The reliability of haemogram results depends not only on the device but also on internal quality control and external quality assessment programmes. Whichever model you choose, daily control material, calibrators and annual method verification should be included in the cost calculation. Under a rental model many of these items can be covered by the contract; with purchase they must be budgeted separately.
Back-up device and continuity
If the laboratory works with a single analyser, being unable to test during a fault affects turnaround times and patient satisfaction. Service level terms such as a back-up device commitment or installation of a replacement device within 24 hours of a fault should therefore be written into the contract.