Great Yarmouth GPs use pathology e-requesting
- 14 February 2008
GP practices in East Anglia are using a new order communications solution called GP RequestVision from Olympus, to request pathology tests from the nearby James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
GPs from practices in Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Waveney are using the solution to order pathology tests online via a simple tick box style form, interfaced with their GP system. The form is then electronically transferred directly to the laboratory before the actual sample arrives.
Leanne Annereau, marketing manager for Olympus UK, told E-Health Insider: “This system streamlines the entire process form patient test ordering through to laboratory results. It electronically captures all the data from request forms on any GP system and transfers it to a hospital laboratory system – eliminating issues of illegible notes and keying errors.
“The system creates unique barcode labels for all specimens at the GP surgery so that when they arrive at the lab, they can be scanned and matched to the test request. With James Paget, we went live in December 2007, and within the first month, we saw half the GP surgeries in that region go-live with the system.”
The aim of the system is to enable advance notice of incoming tests to hospital laboratory staff.
James Paget was one of the first UK sites to go live with GP RequestVision. Pathology services manager, Gary Nicholson, said: “Data entry has been reduced from an average of 30 keystrokes to two barcode swipes and a single keystroke. By introducing standardised request forms and reducing manual entry, not only has it reduced transcription errors and improved data quality but it has also freed staff time.”
Around 70% of pathology test requests come from GP practices and Olympus say that their PDF417 barcode technology and its ability to integrate with any GP system has made it a key asset to GPs in the area.
Training to use the web-based system takes three hours and Nicholson says progress in the area has been good.
“RequestVision has been received very well by all the GPs who are now using it, since they are saving time and money, as well as receiving results back quicker. We’re really pleased to be able to offer a demonstrably better pathology service to our GPs and look forward to continuing rapid roll out to the rest of our GP catchment area.”
Annereau added: “GPs are realising the benefits of instant transfers using IT and know that using systems like this, risks of errors are considerably reduced. At every step of manual processes there is room for error, and we are keen to emphasise that using electronic systems reduces that error. More and more trusts are now looking to invest in technology such as RequestVision.”
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