With less overheads they are trying to maximize profitability. I agree that the end game of any independent testing laboratory as in any other business is profit. But I disagree from the fact that almost all laboratories are trying to maximize their profits. I will not rule out that there are some laboratories throwing everything into the wind to make profits. But then if any independent testing laboratory has to survive in this competitive environment they cannot be profit minded always.
Profit is necessary in order to channelise investments into expanding operations further.
However, you must note here that unlike in the hospitals where the overheads are very high forcing them to derive maximum profit from diagnostic services, most independent testing laboratories have a thin margin of profit from the services. Given the fact that the core competency of the independent testing laboratories is in offering diagnostic services, I do not foresee any reason why they cannot act as better supplementary service providers. In the coming years, they will become one. In the coming era, surviving in a business will be an arduous task. The main task will be to spruce up their operations and streamline the same.