Connectivity

Connectivity, also referred to as Interfacing, can be defined as "The connection between two or more systems through which information is exchanged." These systems may be alike but most often they are not, each speaking their own language and processing data in their own specific and sometime in unique formats.

In this modern age of computerization purchasers of Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) are charged with the responsibility of acquiring and implementing an LIS that can communicate to these different types of systems.

There are arguably four levels of implementation for interfacing a Laboratory Information System to Practice Management Systems, Medical Records Systems, and Billing Systems; One: Receiving Patient demographic information. Two: Receiving Patient orders. Three: Sending Patient result information. Four: Sending Patient billing information.

Any number of scenarios can exist. The task may be to receive patient information from one system and send completed results to another completely different system. Another scenario may be to receive orders and return completed results to the same system while sending the billing information to another system.

Attempts to standardize the complexity of these tasks have been somewhat aided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and member organizations like Health Level Seven also known as HL-7 who have published standards for this task.

Additionally, the American Society of Tests and Measurements (ASTM) has published two of their own standards that address the issues of inter-system communications. One standard addresses communication between a computer system and analyzers (ASTM 1394-91); the other addresses communications between two computer systems, such as LIS to a Practice Management System. (ASTM 1238-94). Both of these standards provide a generic protocol to aid in the development of data interchange systems.

Although these guidelines exist, there is still much confusion as to how these standards are implemented. In both instances the bad news is that the availability from your EMR, Billing, or Practice Managment vendor of an interface written to ASTM or HL-7 standards does not guarantee the workflow or the data will be as you, the customer, desires. The good news is that the development of these standards has, at least, defined a protocol that forms a basis of common communication for diversified companies.

It is in the area of connectivity that Fletcher-Flora has developed an impressive set of credentials and references. During our twenty plus years as a data management company, we have gained a tremendous amount of experience and expertise dealing with connectivity issues. Additionally Fletcher-Flora has gained the recognition of our business colleagues who build and supply Practice Management and Electronic Medical Record systems as the company who has made a major contribution in the quest for the paperless office and laboratory.

If the plan for your Laboratory Information System includes connectivity issues please call Fletcher-Flora the company who is recognized for "Connecting the Industry".