Dru,
Welcome, and sorry to hear about SOAPware, I had no idea the software is set to sunset after February 28.
You will get a lot of different answers to your questions, but I will start from the top of your post and work my way down.
I think the best way to manage labs and diagnostics is to utilize an application called Updox, a cloud based solution that plays very well with AC. My nurse manages e-faxing with Updox with all of the incoming outside labs(labs not imported directly into AC like Quest or PAML) hospital notes, xrays, mammo's and paps. I can't remember the last time she used a fax machine, but Updox is fantastic for managing the e-traffic in and out of the office making the old fax machine nonexistent, and furthermore the patient portal system with Updox works very well.
Your second question about incorporating results into the note, you answered. If you want to repeat all the results and dictate you can, but often I will just make a note of trends up and down. If I am sending my note to a consultant, I will have my nurse send a copy of the labs along with my note via Updox, so very easy to do. With INR's (we have a fingerstick device to get immediate results)I have my nurse enter the results in the flow sheet section by clicking onto summary tab. Then I can look at the graph of INR's and look at 7 years of data points to make a quick decision or show to the patient. With direct importing of labs from Quest or PAML every morning I do this task, then send a letter with the lab result to Updox inbox and have my nurse send to the patient portal 2-3 days before the visit so the patient can look at results before their appointment.
I have a dual monitored set up on my desktop, so that I can look at the Updox inbox I keep open all day long on my right screen and AC open on my left screen, so when I dictate a letter to the patient, I can see the lab result (or xray) in Updox so I can refer to it when I type the letter.
I am not sure if I helped or confused you, but let me know if you have further questions. I like the decision support tab, the yellow tab when the chart is open to keep track of vaccines, low dose CT screening for high risk patients, mammogram, etc. reminders to keep track of when things are due.
