Bi-Directional Interface Provider Workflow

A bi-directional interface is a two-way connection to a lab, offering the practice a way to electronically send orders directly to the lab, from the patient’s chart. This also allows the lab to send results directly back into the EMR where they can be easily matched to the patient’s chart.

This feature optimizes the lab workflow by ensuring that lab orders are electronically routed successfully to the designated lab while receiving results back electronically when received.

This workflow will guide us through the processing of lab orders within the notes and track the status of a requisition.

Toggle to Order

Adding Lab Codes

STEPS

• Make sure to add a lab test code with the interfaced lab facility’s prefix ( eg. QU for Quest )
• All other lab tests should continue to be added as an order by using the lab facility-specific code.

  

Associate ICD codes

STEPS

• Proceed with adding the diagnosis codes in the Assessment and Plan page.
• Users can also directly associate an ICD code under the Diagnosis column on the lab order. This bypasses the diagnosis in the Assessment and Plan page.
• Users may add 1 diagnosis to an order if its applicable to all orders
• If no ICD code was added directly in the lab order when the finalize button is selected, all ICDs from the Assessment and Plan page will be added to the requisition.

  

Click Finalize Order button

STEPS

• After finalizing all lab orders, click the Finalize Order button.
• Doing so will create the requisition form within 5 minutes
• Requisition number is unique for every ordered test
• When new orders are added and the Finalize Order button is clicked, a new requisition will be generated.
• If a user orders a lab test the practice is not interfaced with, the alternative is to fax it to the labs.
• Track requisitions by going to Administration > Order Tracking Setup > Messages Sent to Lab. This page refreshes every 5 minutes
  • It is advisable to print requisition for patient copy.
  • RED printer : not printed yet
  • BLACK printer : done printing
  • For multiple lab orders, Right click on the Patient’s name > Print Lab Requisition

    

View and correct errors

STEPS

• Lab orders with any errors will not generate a requisition form and will need to be corrected for electronic submission. This usually occurs due to lack of necessary patient demographic data.
• Go to Administration > Order Tracking Set > Error Messages
• After identifying and rectifying the errors, click Resubmit

  

Result

View Test Results

STEPS

• Ordering provider will be notified via Messaging – Tasks.
• After reviewing, the provider can then mark it completed
• Right Click on the patient’s name > View Test Results
• Results come in HL7 file and may include an embedded PDF.
• Note that not all labs/imaging facilities support the embedded PDF feature.
• PDF format of the test result can be found at the bottom portion of the HL7 result page and are uploaded automatically as well in EMR All Notes > Documents > PDF result

  

Viewing and fixing unmatched results

STEPS

• This occurs when there is a discrepancy between the patient identifiers from the lab and those in the system.
• Go to Administration > Order Tracking Setup > Transaction Errors
• If verified as the same patient, Click the Match icon