Orders for interfaced ambulatory results

Hi Brenda,

We have QML, SQ and EPIC.  The ambulatory site has to enter a back office order that has a charge associated with it.  That is the order with all the information needed. When they perform the test and dock the instrument, QML sends the results to SQ which creates an order in EPIC and results it.  We created no charge orders in QML & SQ so there wouldn't be a double billing issue.  By attaching the billing to the back office order it motivates the amb site to enter the order.

Thanks Adonica.  Appreciate the information.

I have a follow up question:

How do they ensure a test was actually performed for each order placed?  Sometimes the patient can't produce a urine specimen so the test isn't performed, yet the order is in there with billing attached. Does this happen at your facility?  If so, how often?

Thanks!

That is a very good question and I have no answer for.  I cannot see the EPIC orders only the QML ones so I don't see the orders that have been placed but no testing performed. 

How do you have the ordering set up for your ambulatory sites?

We don't yet.  We are trying to get all of our ambulatory clinics connected.  Currently they go into Epic and manually enter the results.  We want to streamline the process and avoid manual error orders.  This has been a whole project and the billing part has been a hurdle.  That is why we are asking for ideas from the Listserv.

We like your idea, but our Epic team is asking questions. 

Thanks!

Hey all, Brenda Jershin I am in the same boat as you.  53 ambulatory offices performing POCT of variety and all entering results manually.  We are EPIC throughout for LIS/HIS and are close to contracting with TELCOR to get at least the Clinitek urinalysis analyzers interfaced.  My thought was solicited orders would be the way to go, but anyone here with experience in this type of project and with these systems - I welcome your insight, experience, pros/cons.  This will be a monumental undertaking.

We did go with solicited orders for Clinitek.  In addition to billing concerns there were issues here making sure the results were under the correct provider.  We print a specimen label from Epic and match on order number.  We do ask for either the name or CSN under the alternate ID.  There is clean up of exceptions but with lots of education now we only have a few per day.  Adonica's solution sounds interesting too.