Dr. Overhage, a researcher at the Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, is describing the initial response of physicians to a private network now taking shape in that city. When finished, the network will make laboratory and encounter data from five local hospital systems available to providers working in any of the area's emergency rooms. The goal of the project, which is funded by the National Library of Medicine and proceeding under the auspices of the Regenstrief Institute, is to show that patient care can be improved by making clinical laboratory and encounter data available in the emergency room.
Early indications are that it is succeeding.
Access to the new network allowed this physician to quickly obtain data showing that this patient had a colonoscopy a few days earlier. This information helped the ER physician make a sound admission decision. Over the last few decades and for a variety of reasons, a growing number of laboratories have needed to link to other laboratories to merge, integrate, and access test data and other information. While the process of building these networks is usually complex and time-consuming, the potential benefits are compelling. Along with better patient care and more efficient use of health care resources, the payoff can include lowered costs, less duplication, and a more competitive community laboratory infrastructure.