 However rapidly produced and accurate results are, they are useless unless they are delivered to clients in a timely, reliable and convenient manner. Claymon has a robust and efficient LIS already in place, which can be adapted and extended to suit The Hospital’s requirements.
The LIS used by Claymon Laboratories is iSOFT’s APEX system. This is a Unix-based system, run on a server using RAID technology for security and backup of data. The operation of the APEX LIS:
When a specimen arrives it is given a unique barcode that is scanned into the APEX LIS after which all the patient’s demographic information is added, and the requested tests for the specimen are entered onto the system. The specimen is analysed and where an automated method is used the results are routinely transmitted electronically from the analyser to the APEX LIS via bi-directional instrument-LIS interfaces. The results are then reviewed by a pathologist and authorised for issue.
Currently, once a result is authorised it is printed and posted or faxed to the requesting facility/physician. However, with an increasing demand for “paper-less” environments it has become necessary for us to find mechanisms give our clients remote computerised access to results at any time. Claymon Laboratories continue to invest significant resources to develop and enhance our information exchange capabilities. In collaboration with established I.T. partners, we have developed solutions that enable the rapid provision of our results in a secure electronic format. The solutions we offer include: (1). Internet based Results Access & (2). Laboratory Results Reporting through the electronic Pathology Communications Manager system (ePCM). Both of these systems are currently installed, and are undergoing beta-testing at a number of sites.
Streamlining Communications
Claymon Laboratories has developed IT Connectivity solutions that enable the rapid provision of laboratory results in a secure electronic format. The solutions we offer include: Claymon’s Web-based tool allows clients to view their patient result information quickly, efficiently and securely over the Internet. Access is strictly controlled through our provision of a unique user ID, password and computer “key” to the client. Other user-friendly features include:
- Easy search for patients by name and/or date of birth.
- Access current and historical patient result information.
- Check the status of pending test results.
- Detailed test results with reference ranges can be quickly viewed eliminating calls to the laboratory.
- Highlights abnormal results for quick assessment.
- Monitor trends in a patient’s test results over time.
- Produce cumulative reports in numerical or graphical format.
- Secure results through the use of 128-bit encryption
Claymon Laboratories ePCM system operates by the capture, organisation and management of Laboratory request and result data. All laboratory data transmissions are delivered through the secure MediBRIDGE electronic interchange service. Request and result files are downloaded from the MediBRIDGE server to the client’s workstation where it is decrypted and is available for viewing, printing and storage. The main features are as follows:
Result Reporting
- Easy search for patients by Medical Record Number, Surname and/or Forename, your Laboratory/Specimen/Request Number, date of birth.
- Access current and historical patient result information, which is held locally on your server/workstation.
- Open software solution manages your results from the other main referral laboratories in Ireland, including The National Virus Reference Laboratory, St. James’s Hospital and National New Born Screening.
- Result displays include detailed test results with individualised reference ranges as provided.
- Highlights abnormal results for quick assessment and timely patient follow-up.
- Monitor trends in a patient’s tests over time.
- Produce cumulative reports in numerical or graphical format.
- Management of access profiles supporting restricted access at a local level to specific locations, Clinicians or Disciplines based on username/password.
- Where access to results is required in many locations around the hospital or clinic the ePCM (WEB) product is also available as part of the product set.
Request Processing
- Allows creation and maintenance of request profiles, groups of tests to simplify the recording of laboratory requests
- All codes in the system are user maintainable
- Phlebotomist electronic work list generation and management
- Ability to flag a request as cancelled and will be excluded from the phlebotomists display, but can be picked up in a cancelled request report.
- Print out of labels (Including Barcode Labels), and statistic reports.
- Report on agreed turn-around times, sample tracking and management
Direct Link to Claymon’s APEX LIS
With this option, the departments at any Hospital can be directly linked to our LIS by cabling or wireless network. This would be by far the most costly option. In many instances, health care providers may require our iPCM software. The iPCM software is the ‘integration’ suite of software provided in conjunction with the ePCM software. iPCM has been developed to enable the secure electronic interchange of information between Hospital Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), GP Practice Management Systems (PMS) or Occupational Health Systems (OHS).
The iPCM software enables clients to electronically request tests, on their respective systems, that are then transmitted through the mediBRIDGE interchange to Claymon’s LIS. Once the specimens are received and analysed, the results are delivered back to the LIS, PMS or OHS system for incorporation directly into the correct Patient file.
The iPCM provides:
- Major Time savings
- No Manual Re-Entry of Results
- Automatic Request/Result Tracking
- Reduction in Errors
- No transcription errors
- Better / more consistent patient identification
- Real-time Results
- Results available as soon as analysis is complete & authorised
- Up to date and online patient record
- All results are available in the LIS and/or OCS for Enquiry
- Consolidation
- Results from all MediBRIDGE Transmitters may be reported directly to the LIS.
For more information on how our IT Connectivity Solutions can enhance your services, please contact us directly on (01) 2958545 or IT@claymon.ie Click here for information on Quality Systems and Accreditation. |
