Using Web technologies for implementing testing strategies

Web technologies will play an increasingly important role in connecting the clinician to the laboratory in both the ambulatory care and hospital settings, so it is timely to incorporate their consideration into any discussion focused on clinical laboratory testing strategies. Web technologies can help activate a testing strategy and make its application more likely by disseminating information about the strategy and, more importantly, by facilitating and reinforcing clinician intent to use the strategy. Web-mediated approaches to test strategy facilitation include access to electronic laboratory handbooks and other pertinent knowledge resources, enhanced order forms, abstracted test order subsets, workflow integration, alerts and reminders, automated policy-driven ordering, and reports augmented with interpretive knowledge. The rapid evolution of the use of Web technology in the clinical laboratory presents interesting challenges to laboratory leaders.