Web-based results

Neal Flora explains the importance of streamlining patient data.

“The most efficient manner of ordering and receiving specimens in the lab is electronically”
-Neal Flora

The challenge of today's laboratories is to do more with less. Handling physician requests, delivering patient results, managing workflow, ensuring proper billing and meeting regulatory requirements all need to be accomplished in an efficient, secure, cost effective manner.

Today's technology can be divided into three general architectures, the first being a thick client. Each physical computer that provides information to the user contains all of the software required to deliver data. This is an older technology suited for small labs that do not require multiple users or delivery of results outside their four walls. A client server is the second. The main software required runs on a single server machine with individual user computers running proprietary software called the 'client'. Remote users must install proprietary software to access data. Web-based is the third general architecture. All software runs on the web server and each individual user simply needs an industry standard browser, such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and login to access data.

All three technologies can manage workflow in the lab, assist in meeting regulatory requirements, and provide connectivity for billing. But when it comes to delivery of patient results and handling physician requests in a secure efficient manner, most people feel that the flexibility and portability of the web-based architecture provides the superior solution.

Managing patient data consists of receiving the order from a physician either electronically or via a paper requisition, receiving the sample or drawing the sample, performing the testing either in-house, sending to a reference lab or both, and delivering the results back to the physician. The most efficient manner of ordering and receiving specimen in the lab is electronically. Web-based solutions like Fletcher-Flora's FFlex eSuite LIS allow orders to be received from an EMR system or through a lab outreach portal like FFlex ePortal in a secure manner over the internet. Labels can be printed locally where the sample is drawn, which prepares specimens for immediate handling once they arrive in the lab. This not only helps organize orders and samples but also eliminates costly and time-consuming re-labeling. 

Today's technology includes business rules that efficiently and automatically route samples based on insurance/payer, patient status, order priority (routine, stat, timed draw, etc.) and the menu of in-house tests the lab is capable of performing.  In many of today's LIS offerings like Fletcher-Flora's FFlex eSuite, such business rules are built in to facilitate efficient, cost-effective testing. Automatic routing of samples based upon these and other factors simplify the management of this workflow and ensure reimbursement for the lab work performed.

The net product delivered by today's laboratories is a patient's results.  fficient and secure delivery is essential for a successful laboratory. In addition, physicians want a complete consolidated result picture without having to refer to multiple documents. Part of the efficient delivery of results is a consolidated report that also, for compliance reasons, clearly identifies the performing facility. Many of today's solutions, including Fletcher-Flora's FFlex eSuite, integrate in-house and reference lab test results in a single consolidate report. By far the most efficient and cost effective manner for patient results delivery is the internet. With no paper to handle, secure access and almost instantaneous delivery, FFlex ePortal ensures your patient results are delivered to your customers with minimal or no intervention. 

Today's technology affords the clinical laboratory with solutions to the many challenges they face. Features including software business rules that automate sample routing, reflex testing, result interpretation and result verification dramatically improve efficiency and streamline management of patient data. Choosing web-based technology that can deliver results securely and efficiently over the internet helps the laboratory compete and ensure that physicians have rapid and secure access to their patient results.

Neal Flora is CEO of Fletcher-Flora Health Care Inc. and has over 30 years of health care IT experience focused on the clinical laboratory. Neal brings knowledge and expertise gained from the early days of laboratory automation and computerization through the present state-of-the-art systems keeping the company ahead of the curve in technology.