tlv,
I like having 2- 27 inch monitors on my desktop. I prefer to use Quest labs with the HL7 imported labs drawn 3-4 days before visit. I import the results each AM into AC myself, but before signing off will send the results of the labs to Updox, click on write letter, and then right click in the field and up pops a templated letter that says, included is a copy of labs and will discuss at your upcoming appt. The dear john and sincerely is included, so with a few clicks I send that letter to updox. My nurse will then send both the letter and labs all at one time to the patients portal account.
When patient arrives 3 days later for visit, often times will bring the lab result he printed on his printer at home, and have questions written up ahead of time. I then have been printing up trends plotted out over time of HgA1C results or LDL's, and now hope to display on 22 inch TV mirrored to my chromebook which is then remote desktopped to my main computer in office. So I can now print or just show on TV screen or do both depending patient preference.
However, not all my patients choose to use quest so have to PDF into Updox from hospital lab or base lab. I cannot graph out trends as in the HL7 imported situation, which is suboptimal. My nurse will send those labs to AC and I sign off, and send the same letter as before through Updox.
Now not everybody comes in 3-4 days ahead of time, and this is the reason I like the double monitors on my desktop. I can see the results on the Updox workspace, and can click result of labs as I am typing up the letter and can include in my letter the actual results if I so choose, The letter is either generated while signing off on labs in AC or right clicking on patients name. I can type or use dragon or use templates.
So as indicated above, there are many variations on how to handle things.
It just takes awhile to figure out what works best for your workflow.
