AutoReach
Fast Access Module

AutoReach automatically ports test requisitions and results between the doctor's office and the lab

AutoReach™ is a revolutionary remote-site requisitioning system that handles all stages of the pre-analytical process: the test ordering, the sample drawing and the laboratory receipt of samples. The same system, using different views and options, addresses the requirements of the physician who orders the test at the clinic, the phlebotomist who draws the sample, and the lab personnel who receive the samples. AutoReach™ further completes the cycle by handling the post-analytical stages of electronically sending the results to the physician or facility, and by enabling them to retrieve new results, full patient files and perform advanced online analyses. The AutoReach™ end-user application can be installed in each remote site, thus enabling clinical data to be transferred electronically between the sites using the HL7 standard protocol. Alternatively, the system can be offered to lab clients via the Web (ASP model), based on the actual lab database.

Patient Registration
Besides regular registration info, patient registration includes support for multiple identification numbers (Social Security Number, driver's license no., etc.), in-house identification (chart#), complete billing information (including required co-pay, plan ID, etc.), fixed diagnoses per-patient and many additional data fields.

Requisition (Test Ordering)
Based on user-defined test-pages, the requisition screen allows the physician to order all required tests quickly and easily, using convenient check boxes from personalized screens. The patient registration screen allows for quick on-the-fly patient registration, with a minimal yet complete set of fields. The user can further indicate existing diagnoses, special requests for additional copies of the requisition (e.g. - phone notification), and full requisition-specific billing information that may differ from the patient's standard information, including paying entity, insurance policy number and subscriber.

Phlebotomy
The phlebotomy module of AutoReach™ provides the phlebotomy team with drawing instructions based on physicians' orders and lab setup definitions. The phlebotomy process can be done interactively vs. a designated screen (e.g. - in a Patient Service Center situation) or vs. printed worklists (e.g. - a nursing home/hospital ward situation). The system automatically defines the containers to be drawn for each requisition, based on various parameters: types of containers for different tests, sample material, serial times (e.g. - glucose at Time 60) and the performing unit (lab/department/section). Based on configuration, these logic parameters may be either ignored or taken into consideration. Drawing instructions may be presented for the different samples, based on test definitions. While drawing, samples may be assigned numbers (as required) based on various system logic options. Sample drawing may be done collectively per-requisition, or individually per-sample.

Receipt Confirmation
Once the lab technician receives the electronic requisitions (test orders) and the physical samples, he/she sends an electronic receipt confirmation to the requesting site. This procedure enables complete monitoring of the received tests tubes and their associated tests. The stage also allows for re-numbering/general assignment of numbers for requisitions and samples (to match any desired in-lab numbering system).

Requisition Outsourcing
Requisitions may be outsourced to a reference lab, based on pre-defined criteria or on a case-by-case basis. Results are received at the outsourcing lab as the executing lab distributes them. The primary customer receives all results combined, based on the lab definitions, and regardless of where the tests were performed. Indication of performing lab is noted on the results report.

Delivery of Test Results
The cycle of the sampling process is completed when the laboratory sends the test results back to the physician who had ordered the tests. The laboratory technician can establish a direct connection with the facility at which the samples were taken, and deliver the results upon request or allow for the automatic distribution engine to handle the delivery at pre-defined intervals. Communication between the lab and the remote sites can be triggered by the clients or by the laboratory (server-initiated). In all cases - the process is carried out upon user request and/or according to pre-defined schedules.

Results Query
Test results are distributed to the ordering entity upon completion of the processing at the lab. Copies of the results may be distributed to designated destinations. When physicians share a database (among clinics or with the lab while at the ward), each physician may access only requisitions that he/she had ordered (or, if so defined, requisitions for patients he/she had treated in the past). The clinic user can either display the results on the screen or print them. Cumulative information is also available in graphic format.

Delivery of Test Results
All communication and data exchange operations between the remote sites can be performed automatically and transparently, according to a pre-defined set of internal commands. AutoReach™ can perform these operations at pre-defined intervals, thus eliminating the need to perform manual communication procedures.

Print Product Details