Requests (Outstanding)

See also:

Correspondence > Outstanding Requests (via the Clinical Window)

Outstanding Investigations Requests are those that do not have a corresponding result checked and assigned to a patient's record. This list is provided as part of your audit system, and should be used to compare requests with results that have already been saved to a patient's record, with the idea being that you can then delete requests from the Outstanding Requests list where a matching result resides in the patient's record.

 

To manage Outstanding Requests:

Either:

Select Correspondence > Outstanding Requests from the MedicalDirector Clinical front screen, to view all Outstanding Requests, or

Select Correspondence > Outstanding Requests from the patient's Clinical Window to view a patient-specific list.

 

The Outstanding Requests window appears.


This window displays requests that have been made. From here you can compare these requests with results that have been imported and checked-off.

Items in black are standard (non-'eOrders') orders.

Items in green are eOrders. Once an eOrder has is completed, it will be removed from this window. Click here for eOrder status definitions.

Items in blue have been deleted.

Click or double-click the patient's name to display a list of the patient's stored investigation results.

Click Print to print a list of outstanding requests within a specified date range.

 

Double-click a request to view a list of all results for that patient that are saved in the patient's record.


Optional: If you double-click a request made using eOrders, one of a number of prompts can appear, depending on the status of the selected item:

Pending Collection prompt

The following prompt will appear upon double-clicking a current eOrder that has not yet been processed by your laboratory. This prompt displays the status of the order, along with details of the test(s) ordered.

You can also use this prompt to discard the order if you so wish. To do this, select one of the discard reasons from the drop-down list provided. Once an order has been discarded, it cannot be reinstated - you must recreate the order as a new order. An exception to this is if you contact your laboratory, requesting that they process the discarded order, after which the order will be reinstated.

 

 

At Lab

The following prompt will appear upon double-clicking a current eOrder that is being  processed by your laboratory. This prompt displays the status of the order, along with details of the test(s) ordered.

 

 

Discarded

The following prompt will appear upon double-clicking an eOrder that you have discarded.  This prompt displays the status of the order, the reason why it was discarded, and details of the test(s) ordered.

 

 

Delete

You will be prompted that eOrder requests cannot be deleted from MedicalDirector Clinical - only manually-requested tests can be deleted. Whilst eOrders cannot be deleted, they can be discarded.

 

 

 

If you see that the request in the Outstanding Requests list matches a result that has already been saved in the patient's record, you can delete that request from the Outstanding Requests list. Note that this functionality is available to orders made using the standard request portals i.e.  eOrders cannot be deleted.

It is essential that you understand the following information regarding comparing items in the Outstanding Requests list with Results saved in the patient's record:

  • The test name in the Request might not match the test name in the Result, as laboratories may use their own naming conventions, despite what they see on the Request forms you submit. As such, Outstanding Requests should only be managed by someone who has knowledge of, and experience with, Investigations.

  • A single Request may call for numerous tests. However, each test Result returns as a single entity (i.e. 1 Request may return 5 Results). Be sure that all Results for a given Request have been returned and marked-off before you delete it from the Outstanding Requests list.

  • A single Request may require that Results be returned periodically. In such cases, ensure that the entire sequence of Results has been returned and marked-off before deleting the Request from the Outstanding Requests list.


Items of note on the Outstanding Requests window

Doctor's Name selection list

This option is only available when accessed from the Main Menu (not from a patient's Clinical Window).

All outstanding requests for the practice are shown, unless the results for a specific practitioner are required. The selection of an individual practitioner can be made by selecting the practitioner's name from the list at the top of the window.

Include Deleted Requests

Displays any requests that have previously been deleted, shown in blue.

Requests displayed in red indicate that a result has been received that matches the patient's name and date of request. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to check that the result is for the requested test and is complete.

Note: If this option is selected and the list is printed, deleted requests are also printed.

Opens a window showing a list of the investigation results that have already been checked and allocated to the selected patient's clinical record.

Print

Prints a list of the outstanding requests within a selected date range.

Delete

Deletes the request and removes it from the list.