One Order, One Report
A multispecialty group · LIS and EMR integration
THE SITUATION
A multispecialty physician group wanted its doctors focused on patients, not paperwork. The group ran its own physician-owned laboratory and also needed a national reference laboratory for some testing. Using more than one laboratory was the right clinical decision in this case, but it created real friction. Over time the group had taken on multiple vendors and a patchwork technology stack that needed to be streamlined. Both laboratories were integrated with the EMR, but earlier technology designs and interfaces meant results could not be combined into one report. Results also landed in different places in the EMR, so physicians had a hard time viewing both reports for the same patient. Providers dealt with duplicate ordering, separate reports and extra administrative steps, all of which took time away from patient care. A custom interface to fix this would have brought its own implementation cost.
WHAT NUCARE DID
nuCARE worked directly with the group’s LIS vendor to simplify the technology stack and design a single, streamlined workflow across both laboratories. Drawing on an existing vendor relationship and prior interface work with the reference laboratory, nuCARE delivered consolidated reporting without additional interface implementation costs. Those same relationships also secured preferred pricing for the group from a revenue cycle management partner. The group could not have obtained that pricing on its own.
THE OUTCOME
Physicians now place one order in the EMR, no matter which laboratory performs the test. Specimens are labeled in line with CLIA requirements, so each laboratory receives correctly identified samples. Results from both laboratories return to the LIS, and a single consolidated report uploads to the patient chart. Physicians see a complete picture of their patient in one place, so they can review results and act on them without searching across separate reports. The group has a leaner technology stack, less duplicate ordering, a lighter administrative load and no interface implementation expense. That leaves more of the physicians’ time for their patients.
SERVICES
Laboratory Optimization · Procurement & Vendor Support Services