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Labor Medicine in Germany
Medical laboratories such as MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft mbH are an essential part of healthcare. In Germany, over 1.5 billion laboratory tests are conducted annually. The results form the basis for about 70 percent of all medical diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Medical laboratories are subject to the requirements of the German Medical Association's guidelines for quality assurance of laboratory medical examinations (RiliBÄK) as well as DIN EN ISO 15189. These regulations ensure the reliability and precision of laboratory diagnostics, significantly increasing patient safety. Especially in an urban environment like Hamburg, the availability and efficiency of laboratory diagnostics are of central importance, as there is a high demand for fast and reliable test results.
Accreditation & Quality Assurance
MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft mbH is required as a medical laboratory to participate in external quality control (ring trials). The laboratory is accredited according to DIN EN ISO 15189, which means it must meet strict requirements for quality and competence. The German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) regularly reviews the quality assurance processes and thus the validity of the test results. Additionally, MEDILYS participates in various recognized ring trials to ensure continuous comparison and improvement of its methods. These transparent quality standards are important not only for laboratory management but also for referring physicians and their patients.
Laboratory Diagnostics in Hamburg
In the catchment area of Hamburg, MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft mbH supplies local physicians, hospitals, and medical care centers with timely laboratory reports. The collection of laboratory samples takes place in modern and technologically advanced facilities that are equipped according to the latest standards of laboratory automation and technology. Fast turnaround times are ensured through the use of automated analytical methods and modern laboratory information systems that enable electronic report transmission in the shortest possible time (often within hours). Outpatient laboratory medicine in Germany is characterized by the MVZ model (Medical Care Center), which allows for interdisciplinary collaboration of various specialties under one roof. This structure not only promotes knowledge exchange but also improves efficiency in patient care.
Product Areas of MEDILYS
MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft mbH offers a wide range of diagnostic tests that can be divided into various specialties. The key product areas include:
- Bacteriology: Includes the identification of pathogenic microorganisms and their antibiotic susceptibility.
- Hematology: Involves the analysis of blood to diagnose various diseases such as anemia or leukemia.
- Molecular Genetics: Deals with the identification of genetic diseases and is crucial for personalized medicine.
- Transfusion Medicine: Safety measures for blood donation as well as tests for blood groups and antibodies.
- Infectious Serology: Diagnostics of infectious diseases through the detection of specific antibodies in serum.
Through these comprehensive product areas, MEDILYS makes a significant contribution to the early detection and control of diseases in the region.
Regional Significance
As part of the Asklepios Clinics in Hamburg, the MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft plays a central role in the healthcare provision of the Hanseatic city and beyond. Due to its local presence, the laboratory benefits from short communication and logistics routes, further enhancing the quality and speed of diagnostics. In close collaboration with clinics, specialist practices, and other healthcare providers, MEDILYS ensures that the medical infrastructure in Hamburg is effectively supported. This is especially important in a city with a high population density and thereby a high demand for medical care. MEDILYS has established itself as a reliable partner in the healthcare sector, which is evidenced by numerous positive feedback from medical professionals and patients.
For more information about our range of services, please visit our pages on Diagnostics or our Quality Assurance Measures.
```Frequently asked questions about MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft mbH
What is the difference between an MVZ laboratory and a referral laboratory?
Ein MVZ-Labor (Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum) betreibt neben der Laboranalytik häufig auch eigene Arztpraxen unter einem Dach. Ein Einsende-Labor hingegen analysiert ausschließlich Proben, die von externen Ärzten, Kliniken oder anderen Laboren eingesandt werden. MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft mbH in Hamburg offers laboratory medical analytics for general practitioners and hospitals in the region.
How quickly are laboratory results available?
For routine examinations, a specialist laboratory such as MEDILYS Laborgesellschaft mbH Ergebnisse in der Regel innerhalb von 24 Stunden. Dringende Notfallparameter (z.B. Troponin, Laktat, Blutgasanalyse) können auch außerhalb der Öffnungszeiten analysiert werden und liegen innerhalb weniger Stunden vor. Spezialuntersuchungen wie humangenetische Analysen können mehrere Wochen in Anspruch nehmen.
Who bears the costs for laboratory examinations?
Bei Kassenleistungen übernimmt die gesetzliche Krankenversicherung die Kosten für medizinisch notwendige Laboruntersuchungen. Grundlage ist die Abrechnung nach dem Einheitlichen Bewertungsmaßstab (EBM). Individuelle Gesundheitsleistungen (IGeL) oder Selbstzahlerleistungen werden direkt nach der Gebührenordnung für Ärzte (GOÄ) abgerechnet.
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About Laboratories
Medical laboratories (Medizinische Labore or Laboratorien) are specialist facilities that carry out in-vitro diagnostic examinations of human biological samples, including blood, urine, stool, tissue biopsies, cerebrospinal fluid, swabs and other body fluids. Laboratory diagnostics underpin around 70 percent of all medical treatment decisions and are therefore central to the functioning of the entire healthcare system. In Germany, medical laboratories are regulated by the Medical Devices Act (Medizinproduktegesetz, MPG) and its successor legislation, as well as by the guidelines of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer, BÄK), particularly the Guideline on Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratory Diagnostics (RiliBÄK). All accredited medical laboratories must hold accreditation to DIN EN ISO 15189, the international standard for medical laboratory quality and competence. Laboratory medicine services are provided under the professional supervision of specialists (Fachärzte) in one of three disciplines: laboratory medicine (Laboratoriumsmedizin), microbiology, virology and infection epidemiology (Mikrobiologie), or pathology. Specialist services include clinical chemistry, haematology, coagulation diagnostics, immunology, infectious disease serology, molecular diagnostics (PCR and NGS), cytology, histopathology, toxicology and pharmacogenomics. Results from accredited laboratories are essential for diagnosing diseases, monitoring chronic conditions, guiding antibiotic prescribing and assessing treatment response. This directory covers all medical laboratories in Germany with contact details and locations.
Medical Laboratory Diagnostics in Germany
Medical laboratory diagnostics is one of the most data-intensive and technologically advanced segments of the German healthcare system. It is estimated that laboratory results influence approximately 70 percent of all clinical treatment decisions, making accurate and timely laboratory diagnostics central to effective patient care. Germany has a well-developed laboratory medicine infrastructure consisting of large regional laboratory centres (Laborgemeinschaften and Laboratorien) that provide comprehensive diagnostic services to general practitioners and specialist physicians in their catchment area, hospital-based in-house laboratories serving acute clinical needs, and highly specialised reference laboratories offering rare and complex diagnostic tests. The German statutory health insurance system reimburses laboratory services according to the uniform valuation standard (Einheitlicher Bewertungsmaßstab, EBM) for outpatient services and the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) system for inpatient services. Laboratory medicine is also a significant private market, with many patients and employers commissioning health screening panels and occupational health tests on a self-pay basis.
Accreditation Standards: DIN EN ISO 15189 and RiliBÄK
The quality and accuracy of medical laboratory results in Germany are governed by two overlapping frameworks. DIN EN ISO 15189 is the international standard for quality and competence in medical laboratories, based on ISO 17025 (general testing laboratory standard) adapted for the specific requirements of clinical diagnostics. Accreditation to DIN EN ISO 15189 by the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) is the formal recognition that a laboratory's quality management system and technical competence meet international benchmarks. It covers the entire pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical process. The RiliBÄK (Richtlinie der Bundesärztekammer zur Qualitätssicherung laboratoriumsmedizinischer Untersuchungen) complements ISO 15189 by setting mandatory requirements for internal and external quality control specifically for medical laboratories in Germany. Internal quality control using certified reference materials must be performed alongside each analytical run. Participation in approved external quality assurance schemes (ring trials, Ringversuche) is compulsory and results are monitored by the German Medical Association.
Specialist Disciplines in German Medical Laboratories
German medical laboratories span several specialist disciplines. Clinical chemistry (Klinische Chemie) covers routine biochemistry including liver and kidney function tests, lipid panels, diabetes monitoring and inflammation markers. Haematology encompasses full blood counts, coagulation testing and blood smear analysis. Microbiology (Mikrobiologie) focuses on the identification of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens from culture, serology and molecular methods, and includes antibiotic susceptibility testing (Antibiogramm). Virology specifically handles serological and molecular detection of viruses including hepatitis, HIV, CMV, EBV and respiratory viruses. Pathology and cytology (Pathologie, Zytologie) analyse tissue biopsies and cell samples for malignant and benign changes. Molecular diagnostics (Molekulare Diagnostik) uses PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and other molecular techniques for infectious disease detection, oncology biomarker testing and pharmacogenomics. Immunology covers autoimmune antibody testing, allergy diagnostics and HLA typing. Toxicology provides drug level monitoring (therapeutic drug monitoring, TDM) and forensic screening.
Laboratory Structure and Referral Relationships in Germany
Laboratory medicine services in Germany are organised across three levels of care. Hospital laboratories (central laboratories) provide emergency diagnostics around the clock and analyse patient-proximate samples. Outpatient specialist laboratories (referral laboratories) specialise in external orders: general practitioners send patient samples by courier and receive electronic results, usually within 24 hours. Point-of-care testing (POCT) laboratories enable immediate results directly in the practice or at the bedside, for example troponin tests in suspected myocardial infarction or CRP rapid tests for infections. The billing of laboratory medicine services is handled via the Uniform Value Scale (EBM) for statutory health insurance patients and the GOÄ fee schedule for private patients. Laboratory physician practices operate as independent specialist practices and bill through the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV). Reference laboratories handle particularly complex or rare specialised tests, such as prion diagnostics or tropical infectious diseases. Sanoliste lists all operational forms with specialist area and referral information.
What is a medical laboratory?
A medical laboratory carries out diagnostic examinations of blood, urine, tissue and other body samples. In Germany, medical laboratories are regulated under the Medical Devices Act and must hold accreditation to DIN EN ISO 15189. Services are provided by specialists in laboratory medicine, microbiology or pathology.
What tests are carried out in a medical laboratory?
Medical laboratories carry out clinical chemistry, microbiology, haematology, pathology and molecular diagnostics. Results provide an essential basis for medical diagnosis and treatment decisions.
How do I find a medical laboratory near me?
Your treating physician will normally recommend a suitable sending laboratory for specific tests. The DAkkS accreditation database lists all laboratories accredited to DIN EN ISO 15189 in Germany. Sanoliste provides a searchable directory of medical laboratories sorted by federal state and specialist area.
What is DIN EN ISO 15189 accreditation and why does it matter?
DIN EN ISO 15189 is the international standard for quality and competence in medical laboratories. In Germany, accreditation to this standard by the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) is a legal requirement for medical laboratories providing diagnostic services. Accreditation involves a rigorous assessment of the laboratory's technical competence, quality management system, personnel qualifications, equipment calibration, method validation and internal and external quality assurance programmes.
How many medical laboratories are there in Germany?
Germany has several hundred fully accredited medical laboratories, ranging from large regional laboratory centres serving multiple hospitals and medical practices to smaller in-house hospital laboratories and specialist pathology or microbiology practices. Many general practitioners and specialist physicians send patient samples to external accredited reference laboratories for analysis.
What is the RiliBÄK and how does it affect laboratory quality in Germany?
RiliBÄK stands for Richtlinie der Bundesärztekammer zur Qualitätssicherung laboratoriumsmedizinischer Untersuchungen (Guideline of the German Medical Association on Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratory Diagnostics). It sets mandatory requirements for internal quality control (using control materials) and participation in external quality assurance schemes (ring trials). All laboratories performing diagnostic tests in Germany must comply with RiliBÄK, regardless of whether they are accredited to ISO 15189.
Can I directly contact a medical laboratory as a patient in Germany?
In Germany, most medical laboratories work on a B2B basis, receiving samples from physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers rather than directly from patients. However, some laboratories offer direct patient services (Selbstzahler-Leistungen), allowing individuals to request specific tests without a physician's referral, with results delivered to the patient. These self-pay services are not covered by statutory health insurance but can be useful for health screening. The Sanoliste directory lists laboratories across Germany where you can check directly whether walk-in or self-pay services are available.