Advances in patient care continue to accelerate at record levels. Concurrent with this trend, digitized laboratory information systems (LIS) and electronic health records (EHR) are becoming even more essential for managing patient information—and improving the quality of care. Integrating these two systems can help streamline laboratory operations and improve overall efficiency.
But not everyone is there. According to the State of the Industry Laboratory Information Systems survey conducted by XiFin, Inc., completed at the end of 2022, only 35% of the respondents said their LIS systems integrate fully with other systems. That, in turn, indicates that many laboratories could benefit greatly by implementing a LIS that works with EHRs.
That integration pays off, empowering more efficient, effective care in three important ways:
- Streamlines workflow
- Reduces errors
- Improves communication between healthcare providers and laboratory staff
Think about the value, for example, of having all the patient’s demographic information, including insurance verification, in a complete and accurate order by the time the specimen reaches the lab. That represents a tremendous time saving for the lab.
Further, the discrepancies in test orders are reduced. Orders are placed online vs. the time- and effort-intensive manual ordering. Online order entry helps ensure the lab will have accurate patient history, diagnosis codes, and testing information. It also facilitates proper patient pre-test instruction before the specimen collection. This also creates a chain of custody for the specimen—from the time of order through collection, processing, and reporting of the test.
Additionally, enhanced communication enabled by LIS and EHR integration helps improve health outcomes. Seamlessly sharing patient information allows healthcare providers to access and interpret laboratory results more easily. This leads to faster diagnoses and more effective treatment plans.
Beyond Workflow: Insights and Analytics
Approximately 50% of the survey respondents also said their LIS currently does not provide their laboratories with robust analytics solutions. LIS integration with Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) can provide incredible insight into the laboratory’s overall financial health status. This integration enables laboratories and their staff to:
- Gain insights into testing trends
- Identify areas for improvement
- Make data-driven decisions
LIS and RCM integration helps generate cost savings and drive efficiency. Imagine being able to predict incoming workflow. Or make decisions to bring on new testing with the foreknowledge of payor behavior and coverage. A strong analytics solution can help leadership evaluate new lines of business.
Conclusion
By integrating EHR, RCM, and LIS systems, laboratories can streamline operations, reduce errors, and improve communication between laboratories and healthcare providers. As healthcare continues to evolve, laboratory integration will become increasingly critical to delivering high-quality patient care.
Download the full 2022 LIS State of the Industry Report to see how almost 200 individuals representing laboratories around the U.S. responded to questions regarding satisfaction, reliability, scalability, security, and interoperability.