The clinical-chemistry laboratory, microbiology and pathology departments work together more and more. Recently, the activities of the clinical-chemistry lab have been integrated into HiX. Because pathology and microbiology can soon also enter their findings in the integrated LIS (Laboratory Information System), health care institutions will soon have one system with all conceivable laboratory data together.
Rapid charting of patients
Where previously the requests for a lab test were sent via a link to another system, now the actions (from request to report) are now possible within an integrated system. Thus the lab worker has a better picture of why certain values are high in a laboratory report. Previously gathered information about the health of the patient is visible in the same system, so it is easier to create a link between the information about the patient and the high or low blood values.
Track and Trace
Without changing applications, one can enter when blood or other material is drawn and via track and trace the status of the material is also clear. There is always a current overview of the activities regarding a sample drawn. Even if the end results are not yet in, the system is updated with interim reports. Double entry is not necessary, because the results are filled in in one system. This saves time and ensures a reduced chance of errors.
Various laboratories together
In addition to the application for the clinical-chemistry lab, the activities of microbiology and pathology will also soon be integrated into HiX. With this integration, the various labs can better work together, because the same information is used throughout. The system is so flexible, that every lab can use its own work processes.
Multidisciplinary consultation
In addition to checking reports, there can also be communication between health care providers within HiX. Thus, treating physicians can better diagnose and consult based on the results and each others findings via reports that are saved within the EPD. If the hospital also uses the web application Zorgportaal, it is even possible for a patient to check their results at home or in an e-Consult with the doctor and ask questions about these results. The same applies to an external care provider who wants to be up today on the results after referring a patient.
Less chance of errors
An integrated LIS not only means better cooperation, but also safer. For example, it reduces the chance that blood transfusions go wrong through administrative errors. There are health care providers that check three or four times before the blood goes to the patient, but errors can still creep into the process that can be filtered out through automation. The administration of blood is registered in the nursing file and the information is then visible across the hospital.
Alerts on patient information
Safety is not only crucial for the patient, but also for the lab worker. Thanks to the integration alerts and alarms are possible for samples. Think, for example, of cytostatics within the list of medicines of the EVS, which must be handled with extra care. When printing out the label for the test tube, it is clearly indicated by colour that the sample contains cytostatics, and other colours can indicate other properties. Medication information is already known within the ZIS/EPD and without extra actions there can be an alert for specific patient attributes, so the lab workers know of the particulars on time.
Efficient support
Not all samples are taken in the same department and not all samples have the same urgency. Urgent lab requests are made in the emergency room. In HiX, it's visible at a glance from which workstation a request has been made and the labels for the test tubes are immediately printed out on the nearest printer. That is considerably faster. The information about the quantity and type of material to be taken (such as blood tubes) is also immediately and comprehensively available.
The patient takes the lead
The results are immediately visible in the patient file. The patient then also takes the lead in HiX. Expressly because all information regarding a patient is available in one place, a good image of the clinical picture can be formed more quickly, which contributes to an improved work process regarding the diagnostics of the patient. The specialist can easily query the EPD, which contains clear information, and the diagnostics are improved. Whether it is regarding blood samples or other tissue samples.
Entire laboratory spectrum
Because it will soon be possible to integrate the entire laboratory spectrum into HiX, a more transparent and efficient work process is created. All disciplines work together in one file, so switching between programmes is no longer necessary, and all information is available in one place. The integrated LIS not only provides for an optimal cooperation between the various labs, but also for a complete image of the patient and optimal workflow.
