EHR systems | Genetic testing
How integrating genetic testing into electronic health record (EHR) systems can address challenges
Invitae explores the potential of EHR integration in simplifying genetic testing workflows
In today’s digital healthcare landscape, electronic health records (EHRs) are the central hub for storing, managing, and accessing protected health information (PHI). Unlike electronic medical records (EMRs) focusing on patient care and information exchange within a single practice, EHRs cover a broader range of PHI between healthcare organizations, providers, and partners.
Efficient EHR workflows are essential for streamlining clinical processes, enhancing care coordination, and potentially improving patient outcomes. But, the complexity and fragmentation of healthcare data present significant challenges, especially when integrating genetic testing into existing EHR systems.
This article dives into those challenges and the potential of EHR integration to simplify genetic testing workflows while enhancing the accessibility, accuracy, and usability of genetic information in clinical practice.
Genetic testing in healthcare: Potential for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
Discovering a person’s genetic information through testing opens the door to groundbreaking advancements in personalized healthcare. This incredible tool doesn’t just decode genes; it opens up a world of possibilities.
Imagine pinpointing the exact genetic factors that shape a person’s health journey. It’s not just about diagnosis but the possibility of tailored treatments that fit patients and their unique needs. With genetic testing, healthcare providers can often step in early with precise insights to create plans that may improve a patient’s chances of a healthier outcome.
From accurate diagnosis of genetic disorders to personalized treatment selection and proactive disease prevention strategies, genetic testing enables healthcare providers to make informed decisions by pinpointing specific genetic variants, which can lead to early interventions and tailored treatment plans that may help optimize therapeutic outcomes.
But genetic testing comes with a host of possible barriers, like the potential to disrupt existing clinical workflows and overburden providers and staff. That’s why genetic testing providers are finding ways to manage the bulk of the work so that providers can focus on quality care.
Challenges facing providers: Genetic testing workflows
Navigating the complexities of genetic testing presents myriad challenges for healthcare providers. They have to decipher genetic results, a cumbersome, paperwork-heavy process they’ve grappled with for years.
Read on for just a few of the challenges providers face when offering genetic testing.
Challenge 1: Paper forms and manual data entry
One of the most pressing issues facing genetic testing workflows is the complexity of the traditional paper-based system. From managing multiple requisitions to including all necessary information, the process is ripe for errors and delays.
The reliance on time-consuming manual data entry also increases the risk of inaccuracies, such as ordering the wrong test or missing vital patient details. Healthcare providers often manually enter patient information, test results, and other pertinent data into EHR systems or laboratory databases.
This labor-intensive process not only consumes valuable time but also increases the risk of data entry errors, transcription mistakes, and inconsistencies, compromising the accuracy and reliability of patient records.
Tracking labs and results in a paper-based environment can be a logistical nightmare, leading to inefficiencies and potential patient care delays.
Challenge 2: Managing multiple systems simultaneously
The challenge of managing multiple EHR systems exacerbates the complexities of genetic testing workflows. Interoperability issues between genetic testing platforms and EHR systems also present significant obstacles.
Healthcare providers face interoperability issues without a unified platform, hindering system communication and coordination. This fragmentation slows the testing process and increases the likelihood of errors and omissions.
Incompatibilities in data formats, standards, and communication protocols hinder the exchange of genetic test results and clinical information between laboratories, healthcare facilities, and EHR systems.
This lack of interoperability impedes the timely access to critical genetic information, slows decision-making processes, and disrupts the continuity of patient care.
Challenge 3: The absence of Utilization Management (UM) to regulate testing
Without the right checks, providers might miss out on the full potential of genetic tests, leading to delays in diagnosing conditions and getting the right treatments. Issues like confusing pre-authorization processes and picking less useful tests only add to the turmoil.
To address these challenges, we need to weave UM principles into the fabric of healthcare. That means setting clear rules for which tests to use, making sure doctors get the green light before ordering, and giving them the tools and knowledge to make informed choices, like including custom EHR alerts. By doing so, we can ensure genetic testing isn’t just a box to tick but a valuable tool.
Solving these and other challenges
These challenges require concerted efforts to streamline data management processes, enhance interoperability standards, implement automated data entry and integration solutions, and prioritize data accuracy and integrity throughout the genetic testing workflow.
By overcoming these obstacles, healthcare organizations can optimize genetic testing workflows, improve the quality of patient care, and work to realize the full potential of genomic medicine in clinical practice.
Benefits of EHR integration for genetic testing
With EHR integration, health systems can overcome these hurdles inherent to genetic testing workflows. By consolidating patient data and testing processes into a unified platform, healthcare providers can streamline workflows, reduce errors, and enhance patient care.
With real-time access to patient information and decision support tools, providers can confidently identify patients who qualify for genetic testing, supporting appropriate utilization and timely interventions.
Patient experience is also front and center in the evolving healthcare landscape. One key aspect enhancing this experience is integrating pre- and post-test genetics education. Providing comprehensive information before and after genetic testing can make patients feel more informed and involved in their care journey.
But it’s not just about satisfaction; it’s about delivering comprehensive, truly informed care. With streamlined testing processes centralized into one seamless experience, patients benefit from quicker access to screenings and preventive procedures. These improvements can reduce per capita costs.
EHR integration for genetic testing helps improve accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making in healthcare delivery. By consolidating genetic data within the EHR, healthcare providers gain a comprehensive view of the patient’s genetic profile, medical history, and clinical status.
Streamlined access to genetic information can enhance workflow efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and optimize resource utilization.
The nuts and bolts of EHR integration for genetic testing
Integrating genetic testing platforms with EHR systems facilitates seamless data transfer by efficiently exchanging genetic test results, patient demographics, and clinical information. This integration streamlines the workflow for healthcare providers by working to eliminate manual data entry tasks, reducing transcription errors, and ensuring timely access to critical genetic data within the patient’s EHR.
By automating the transfer of information, EHR integration can enhance data accuracy, promote interoperability, and support comprehensive patient care management.
EHR integration can also automatically populate patient records with genetic test results, eliminating the need for manual data entry and minimizing the risk of data entry errors. Relevant information like genetic variants, interpretations, and clinical implications can seamlessly populate the patient’s EHR.
This process enhances the completeness and accuracy of patient records, making it easier for providers to inform clinical decision-making, treatment planning, and ongoing patient management.
Integrating genetic testing data into EHR systems can ensure real-time access to genetic information during patient encounters, enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. Healthcare providers can readily retrieve genetic test results, family history data, and relevant clinical information directly from the patient’s electronic health record, empowering informed discussions, personalized risk assessments, and tailored treatment strategies.
Real-time genetic information access facilitates multidisciplinary care teams’ collaborative decision-making, promotes patient engagement, and supports proactive healthcare interventions.
Strategies for EHR workflow integration
Standardization of data formats and protocols
Ensuring everyone speaks the same digital language is critical to smoothly blending genetic testing into EHRs. Think of it as making sure all gadgets use the same charger. Life gets a little easier. Standards like HL7 and FHIR act as translators between genetic testing tools and EHR systems. By embracing these standards, we ensure genetic information can travel effortlessly across different parts of the healthcare system, making it easier for doctors to collaborate and share insights.
Collaboration between EHR vendors and genetic testing companies
Collaboration between EHR vendors and genetic testing companies is essential for fostering effective workflow integration. By forming strategic partnerships, EHR vendors can incorporate genetic testing capabilities directly into their platforms, offering seamless integration of genetic data and test results within the EHR.
Working together enables the development of tailored solutions, interoperable interfaces, and standardized workflows that meet the unique needs of healthcare providers, genetic laboratories, and patients, fostering innovation and advancing the adoption of genomic medicine in clinical practice.
Implementation of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for data exchange
Using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) is like having a language all the different systems speak fluently. They make it easy for genetic testing tools and EHR systems to chat and share important info like test results and patient details instantly and securely.
By leveraging APIs, healthcare organizations can build custom integrations, develop innovative applications, and enhance the functionality of EHR systems to support genetic testing workflows effectively. APIs promote flexibility, scalability, and adaptability, enabling seamless integration with existing infrastructure and future technologies.
EHR integration: The future of precision medicine
The future of EHR integration in genetic testing holds promise with ongoing advancements in technology and standards.
As genetic testing becomes increasingly integrated into routine clinical practice, healthcare organizations may encounter challenges and opportunities for further optimizing EHR integration workflows. Barriers like interoperability issues, data fragmentation, and resource constraints may impede the seamless integration and adoption of genetic testing within EHR systems.
To address these challenges, partners can collaborate to develop standardized workflows, interoperable solutions, and best practices for integrating genetic data into clinical workflows.
By embracing innovation, addressing regulatory challenges, and fostering collaboration across partners, healthcare organizations can navigate the complexities of genetic testing integration and uphold patient privacy and data security.
Looking ahead, we envision a future where genetic testing is seamlessly integrated into routine clinical practice through EHR workflows to revolutionize healthcare delivery and usher in a new era of precision medicine. In this future state, genetic information is readily accessible, actionable, and fully integrated into EHRs, enabling healthcare providers to deliver personalized, evidence-based care tailored to each patient.
This holistic approach has a ripple effect on care coordination and decision-making, aiming for better outcomes for everyone involved. As we continue to harness the power of genetics in healthcare, it’s clear that the benefits extend far beyond the individual, shaping a future where personalized care is the norm and healthier communities thrive.
To learn more about how the EHR ordering process provides efficiencies in clinic workflows, access this recent Invitae webinar.
For more information on genetic testing to optimize care, visit the Invitae website.
