Webinar on EMR inbox management: recording available

Our first Ideal Primary Care Practice Model webinar took a look at enhancing inbox management in primary care and was hosted by Dr. Scott Laing. You can review a recording here.

Here are a few quick tips for overcoming some problems in your inbox:

Partial lab reports

Problem:

Receiving reports at sample collection as well as when each test is completed; results in multiple reports for the same testing causing confusion and wasting time.

Solution:

Since this webinar was recorded, Life labs have updated their system and accounts. Once individual clinicians are updated to the new system, there’s no way to disable the pending labs.

Considerations

Critical lab results will still be directed to on-call as usual. You may still see some pending tests, like C&S, tests with long turnaround times, and tests sent to public health. This setting is also based on the ordering provider therefore, you will still receive partial labs if another clinician orders testing and does not have this feature turned off.

Finally, if a patient calls looking for their lab report prior to completion and you need the results ASAP, you may still access the completed tests through OLIS.

Duplicate HRM and fax reports

Problem:

Receiving both HRM and faxes leads to clinicians receiving many duplicate reports.

Solution:

Contact facilities using HRM and request to “Stop Paper” by locating the email address or phone number indicated by the facilities using the link below. The full list of HRM facilities is available here.

Considerations

It is recommended to ensure you are consistently receiving HRM reports from the sending facility prior to turning off faxed reports. However, if you are missing reports, you can request individual reports be faxed from the organization or you may be able to access through ClinicalConnect/Connecting Ontario.

Reminders/delayed messages process

Problem:

Arranging follow up testing for patients and receiving consent for referrals to be sent.

Solution:

• Diagnostic Imaging – Obtaining consent for the repeat testing when communicating the initial results.
• If repeat testing is due within a short time frame (~ 6 months), then referrals should be sent as soon as the patient consents to repeat testing.
• For testing due much later, a delayed message can be a helpful reminder to ensure testing is completed. Laboratory Services – Laboratory requisitions are valid for 6 months, so patients may be provided with a requisition at the time of initial discussion. For important testing that is needed later, a delayed message can be used to ensure testing is completed.

Download a PDF version of the Tip Sheet here.