All the work performed in a lab concludes in one key product: the laboratory report. Physicians rely on the data contained in these results to make accurate patient diagnoses. However, the complex world of the clinical laboratory, where hundreds of different tests arrive daily, creates an environment that can make it difficult to maintain lab report integrity.
The importance of high-quality reports
Laboratory test results comprise about 70 percent of the average patient’s medical record, the University of Iowa Health Care reported. Collectively, labs across the U.S. perform more than 10 billion tests annually, the source noted.
Due to the importance of these results, it’s crucial that the integrity of the lab’s reports – in terms of readability, clarity and accuracy – are solid. In addition to having to generate high-quality lab reports, the sheer amount of lab work performed and the expectations of a fast turnaround from doctors and patients mean there’s no room for delays in obtaining results.
Since they play such a critical role in the overall medical diagnosis, any errors, delays or problems with generating and distributing these reports will have a major detrimental impact on quality of care.
Boosting lab report quality
Improving the integrity of lab reports relies on streamlining the lab’s workflows and optimizing the formatting and templates used for the reports. As noted by AACC, studies have shown improved formatting and templates can raise the quality of lab reports.
Advanced Healthcare Network published a list of the 5 ways to improve lab workflow to produce better reports. The site’s tips included:
- Breaking down siloes between clinical departments and the laboratory.
- Standardizing practices across the entire organization to manage specimen deliveries and analyze processes.
- Standardizing and automating complex decision making.
- Automating processes to better utilize human capital.
- Understanding the value of a metric-based dashboard.
However, addressing these goals individually leads to a piecemeal strategy with misaligned priorities that can waste resources and manpower.
How a LIS solution can help
Instead of relying on piecemeal approaches and manual techniques, a laboratory information system gives labs the tools needed to effectively incorporate each of these tactics at once, which improves the overall integrity of lab reports.
A LIS solution allows lab techs to export electronic results automatically and then feed the results directly into the existing system. This leads to:
- A reduction of human errors while streamlining manual and legacy processes.
- High turnaround time on processing lab results.
- Less in-lab paperwork.
- Greater oversight on use of lab equipment and the prevention of unauthorized tests.
A laboratory information system provides health care organizations with a means to produce highly accurate lab reports, delivered in a timely manner in a clear and precise format. Whether it’s an interim report, final report or cumulative summary report, the LIS solution gives you the tools you need for ensuring the highest quality of care possible.
Click here to learn more about how Aspyra’s LIS solution can improve the integrity of medical lab reports.
