Allscripts Enterprise EHR - Order Synchronization

Webcast details

Originally Aired: Friday, March 18 2011
Presenter: Steve Cotton

Webcast materials

Click here for the presentation slides

Q&A

Q: We are upgrading from v10 to V11 and our upgrade consultant has mentioned ‘Order Synchronization’ and ‘OCD Mapping’. What is the difference?

A: Order Synchronization is utilized to eliminate duplicate orderable items when more than one lab vendor is used. OCD Mapping allows organizations to take advantage of clinical content that is delivered by Allscripts. This content includes CareGuides and Order Favorites.

Q: What is the SSMT column that is used to prevent users from changing the Default Performing Location?

A: Within the SSMT Content Category “OID – Order Defaults – Insurance/Pt Location/Site” there is a column labeled as “DefReqPerfLocationDEOverrideFLAG”. Placing a “Y” in this field allows users to override the default performing location. Placing an “N” in this field will restrict users from overriding the default performing location.

Q: Inevitably, you won’t be able to sync all orders. How do you recommend displaying non-synchronized orders in the EMR? Do you recommend putting the name of the vendor at the end of the test name?

A: This is a great question that has a complicated answer. I do see some clients putting identifiers at the end of the order name to indicate where it can be done (Q / Q-L / L ). This works well enough, but still doesn’t get to the root of the problem and creates a lot of “noise”. My recommendation is to do the Synchronization and then re-visit the orderable items that you couldn’t find a match for (ie. Unique to Labcorp). Once you have a list of unique items that haven’t been mapped, you can evaluate whether or not it is a valid order for your organization. If it is not a valid order, then inactivate it. If it is a valid order, then approach your secondary Lab Vendor (Quest) account manager and request that they do some research to see if there is an equivalent. This is a lot of work and is ongoing maintenance that should be done to reach the goal of FULL synchronization. There will always be some orderables that do not have a match. In these cases, the identifiers in the name work well. The above steps help to reduce the noise to the end users.

Q: The Allscripts vendor indicated at ACE 2010 they were working on a “Order Sync” tool that would make it easier to sync tests in the system. We haven’t received a copy of this tool but it looks like it could be helpful and reduce Excel errors. Have you had experience working with this tool?

A: I have used this tool and it works well. It is very useful in reducing the amount of manual work that needs to be done during the OID Synchronization process. Please contact your Allscripts representative to inquire about obtaining the “OID Scrubber” and “OID Synchronization” tools.