Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Lab Interface or PDF?

LabCorp wants to install the interface to AC, I wonder if it is the same one it is sold on the AC site.
I am also concerned this will slow things down (in reviewing the labs), as well as about how far LabCorp can look into my system.
I talked today with the IT guy from LabCorp and when I ask him if the interface they provide is the same AC provides (with a fee), he answered affirmatively, BUT I AM NOT SO SURE ABOUT IT.
Dr. P, a friend of mine was also very concerned about privacy with the LabCorp interface and opted to receive the Labs via Fax and import them to the patient chart as a PDF.
The only advantage I see so far from what I have read about it here in the Forums is that you can compare with previous results, and/or even see a curve showing several values of the same parameter.
Is anyone using the interface?
Is it the same AC sell?
Will it slow me down?

Dr. Vazquez

Labcorp installs an interface and then it is turned on by AC - you still have to pay the fee, but Labcorp historically pays the fee for you. You just need to speak with your rep. Jon from AC coordinates the interface and I do not believe that Labcorp gets any data from AC - it just allows you to import the data. I think the advantage of getting actual HL7 data will become more apparent as CCHIT requires the integration of data.

I personally use PAML with a lab interface, but I think you really should bite the bullet and get the lab interface (one time fee they pay as long as you pay for guardian angel tech support yearly).

I am a new user ( 8 weeks) we have been scanning in paper charts as we go along. We have already used up 400 GIGs on the server. Does this sound right? I don't think we have scanned in even 5% of our existing paper charts. How much memory space am I going to need? Any suggestions?

I have been using AC for over 6 years and when I use AC Backup it generates a 4.3 gig file including all of my scanned info. You need to look at what is taking up so much space - AC Backup creates backup files under AC every time it runs, use the utility to erase old ones. Also check your settings on scanning to see how large each scanned file is - make sure you are not scanning at super high resolution (you don't need to). We have scanned over 1500 old charts plus have been paperless for almost 2 years and our files are not large.

Thanks Steven, but I would like to do some more research before doing it. By the way, What is PAML?
In regarding to scanning; I have found that when I scan at 300 dpi I usually get very large files in the 100's KB, but then I discovered that scanning at 400 dpi will actually give me a file that is usually around 50 KB (I use a Canon Multifunction laser) and I think that is very reasonable.

PAML is simply a competitor to LabCorp in our state. I really think you should check with Amazing Charts about what information is given to Labcorp with their interface - mine is a one way data upload - does not pull any information from AC. I download labs and then use the import function on AC.

The only approved interface for Labcorp is the one AC does - they set it up and Labcorp pays for it. If your Labcorp wants to do their own and get data in and out of AC that would be not the norm.

Vaz, getting the interface will only speed things up for you. The labs come directly into the chart, you'll get a message in your inbox.You can cycle through and sign off all the labs that are newly imported. No opening the mail or putting paper in the printer. No one has to then scan them. And since moving to V4 it doesnt take very long to import labs. Have someone on your staff do it twice a day-- am and pm.

Steven,
Thank you, that was my problem. I am very relieved that I don't have to buy another server ( that one was bought to use for a "shall remain nameless" big EMR/EPM that I hated). I am dissapointed that the gaurdian angel we were talking to didn't catch on that a 400 gig memory should be more than adequate.

Steven,
Thank you, that was my problem. The backups were gigantic. The scanning was not the problem. I am very relieved that I don't have to buy another server ( that one was bought to use for a "shall remain nameless" big EMR/EPM that I hated). I am dissapointed that the gaurdian angel we were talking to didn't catch on that a 400 gig memory should be more than adequate.