Hyacinthe GN and Mathieson K
Background: Laboratory information maximizes effective delivery of care by allowing physicians and other providers to make appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Studies exploring the Electronic Health Record (EHR) interconnection with the laboratory information system (LIS) through data processing, reviewing, and sharing capabilities among ambulatory care providers are scarce.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the use of electronic laboratory services through the EHR-LIS interconnectivity to access patient laboratory data in meaningful way. This study was further used to evaluate the relationship between practice characteristics and meaningful usage of laboratory functionalities.
Method: Using a nationally representative sample of 44,296 physician responses from National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMC) data, this study used descriptive statistics to first determine the level of meaningful usage of the EHR-LIS functionalities among ambulatory care physicians. Logistic regression was then used to assess potential effects of factors, such as physician specialty, practice type, practice geographical region, and ownership status on usage of the EHR-LIS functions.
Results: More than two-third of physicians used the EHR-LIS meaningfully. The strongest positive associations (OR=2.64 and 2.42) were found between practice type (solo, non-solo) and electronic reviewing and sharing of laboratory test results with ambulatory physicians in practice group. On the other hand, practice region and ownership status negatively influenced (OR=0.79, 0.94, and 0.77) the electronic sharing of tests results with physicians outside practice groups.
Conclusion: Practice and physician characteristics can significantly affect physician usage of laboratory functionalities.
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