Patient care is a critical undertaking, which involves accurate diagnosis, consultation, laboratory tests and radiology investigation. Based on these a treatment plan is chalked out and medicines or procedure is advised. Among these laboratory test results play a pivotal role in substantiating the treatment plan. In many cases, patient clinical conditions keep changing and laboratory test results determine and guide for ailments of the patient for precise treatment.
Laboratory tests, which are advised on the basis of present complaints. Clinical judgment by consultants/doctors considering the clinical & family history of the patient is also plays its role in the determination of advised laboratory tests.
Laboratory test is not as simple as it is understood generally. The processes involved right from sample collection protocols and moving to sample collections followed by storage of sample and placing sample in analyzer or equipment to run the test to generate results or some chemical examination. Each involved stride is very important to be precise and accurate to get quality results.
Laboratory management module being the part of Hospital.Partners, an ERP for Hospital Management is developed considering above discussed aspects. Workflow based with electronic approval has a failsafe mechanism right from sample collection till generation of results. The module enables the lab to monitor performance with time for each step. Electronic approvals assure accuracy and accountability for each process. Workload analysis, inventory of kits and reagents are also maintained to streamline the laboratory operations. Laboratory Management module makes Hospital Management a comprehensive HMIS supplementing results for all relevant desks including nursing stations and consultants.
Limitless number and type of tests and group tests with defined normal range for each is also managed through electronic workflow in case of any addition or editing.
Upon advice of consultant/doctors electronic request is generated to reach at Laboratory cuing to collect sample of the patient. Laboratory acknowledged receiving electronic request with complete identification of patient with details like Name, Medical Record No., Ward/OPD/ER, Bed/Room no. consultant name etc. and simultaneously intimation is generated to the nursing station/requestor for receiving of request at laboratory. Sample is collected on the basis of received request. Bar code to be affixed on tube/container is generated. Test is run on machine identifying details of as per bar code and processed result is transmitted to the laboratory module database. Once data of result is received it is available in a user interface of laboratory module for approval. There could be multiple approval levels. Once approvals are done it is made available to view at ward or consultant.
For indoor or ER patient, the charges are added automatically in patient bill. While in case of OPD or cash paying patient, a payment receipt is generated reflecting in cash collection and also integrating with financial accounts.
Laboratory results can also be made available on web portal for remote accessibility, subject to final approval and receiving of payment in case of cash. One of the salient features is real-time dashboard showing statistics of laboratory related revenue with test wise turnover.
This is important to mention that Laboratory results becomes part of patient history and can be viewed upon visit of patient in future with any limitation. Being the best healthcare management software, Hospital.Partners is a partner in progress of health institutions.