Electronic Laboratory test orders
– the way forward
By Service Improvement Programme Manager,
Fiona Burns. to immediately see what lab tests have already been ordered for a
patient.
A team involving Service Improvement, IT,
Clinical staff and Pathlab has been set up to
develop an e-lab test ordering system for our
hospitals, an end to the paper based system. That is less likely to occur with a new online e-ordering system
as they have real time access, giving them the ability to track the
order on screen. Other improvement opportunities include the
capability to change orders online and provide linked decision
making support.
This follows the success of an e-lab orders trial with the
Paediatrics team and Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) at
Whakatāne Hospital in 2017.
The aim of the project is to develop a future proof electronic lab
ordering solution that streamlines processes and can be accessed
from anywhere. It is also planned that the online solution will also
have the capability for e-orders from a mobile device.
Currently our hospitals order laboratory tests via a paper based
system. Duplicated test orders do occur as clinicians are unable
The project team is currently looking at a full scale map of how
laboratory orders are currently processed in both hospitals as well
as Te Kaha and Opotiki, in order to then build a future state map
for the online ordering system.
The new online laboratory order solution is expected to go live in a
staged process starting later this year.
For more information contact Clinical Director of Informatics, Matt
Valentine, [email protected] or Fiona.Burns@
bopdhb.govt.nz
Whakatāne Hospital RMOs Will Utley, Kaea Matenga and Mike Duff reviewing elements of a potential future state map for the electronic laboratory test project.
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