CHANGING THE GAME PLAN

Clinical labs processes have been constrained by the need to act on paper-based orders from clinicians. Paper orders have been, and in many cases still are, the true record of a patient episode for compliance and billing purposes.  While there has been a move towards electronic ordering, paper-based ordering is still used as the predominant method of ordering within broader referral community.

Processing of paper-based orders has traditionally created a bottleneck within the lab, where the samples and order are received by the lab at the same time.  Data entry of orders in to the Laboratory Information System (LIS) is a prerequisite before samples can be processed and appropriate tests performed.  This registration and transcription process is an expensive overhead. It can cause delays in processing tests and is prone to errors, even where well trained and dedicated data entry operators are used. The pressure is on the lab to enter orders quickly to enable the testing process to begin.

A key success factor of Image ProFile has been its ability to enable labs to improve the productivity of the data entry process within labs, typically improving productivity by up to 30% and accuracy by 25%.  Image ProFile enables labs to capture and process orders before the samples arrive at the lab, and allows data entry functions to be streamlined – data entry operations can be better managed and performed by operators at numerous locations.  While Image ProFile delivers a vast improvement over traditional processing, elimination of order transcription is the ultimate goal. While electronic ordering will assist, the uptake of electronic ordering in many pre-analytical scenarios is limited, leaving the lab faced with managing a mixed environment for the foreseeable future.  This is where PAMS can provide the breakthrough.

PAMS can be the catalyst to transform the pre-analytical process and deliver a single managed process for orders of any type – electronic or paper-based.  PAMS transforms the connection between clinicians, patients and the laboratory into a connected and visible process that enables the lab to manage the process outside of the lab walls.  Through PAMS mobile apps, clinicians can originate and manage their orders; patients have a convenient way to arrange their visit at your collection centres.

Through a PAMS simple to use app style interface, your collection centre staff are now able to register patients and check order and sample collection details if an electronic order exists, or register patient orders where a paper-based order is presented.  The PAMS App they use delivers a simple registration process and rules that enable your collection centre staff to confidently register patient order details and collect samples without error.  Paper orders can be captured and rendezvoused with the electronic order to complete the compliance requirement.

With PAMS, you can eliminate the data entry bottleneck while at the same time delivering improved visibility and service delivery to your referring clinicians and patients.  You can dramatically reduce calls from doctors chasing results – find out how.   Through improved visibility and management capabilities delivered by PAMS you will able to optimise your pre-analytical process – optimise collection staff, couriers and resources, deliver training when and where it is needed, better plan lab resources and much more.