Electronic Health Records For Dummies

Communicating test results

Implementing ordering and results interfaces can greatly reduce the administrative overhead that the front office bears from frequent faxing. The constant monitoring of the fax machine, organizing the results with patient charts, and notifying the physician will no longer be necessary. With an EHR

Lab and radiology results are automatically matched with the electronic patient chart if the interface is built to and from those ancillary systems.

Lab results (adhering to lab terminology standards such as LOINC) are coded and available as structured, discrete data within the EHR.

Results are sent to a provider work list or notification list indicating that review and signature is needed.

Abnormal results are flagged within the system.

Reports can be set up to view pending orders so that front office staff can easily determine the tests that require follow-up.

A new workflow for front office staff and nurses is needed to monitor interfaced results and initiate follow-up with physicians, but the workflow is driven by the EHR, not the fax inbox.

Your practice may want to consider developing a policy for communicating test results to patients. Some practices allow front office staff, medical assistants, or nurses to communicate normal results to patients.

Results ...