5 April 2022
To all referrers of Community Laboratory Tests in the Bay of Plenty
As from 1 June 2022, all community referred requests for laboratory tests will be ordered electronically with the manual system of ordering only occuring in the event that the e-ordering system is unavailable. Emailing of paper forms to requestforms@pathlab.co.nz will be turned off on this date as well as this is not required for the electronic ordering system. This change will complete the move to electronic ordering which has been in process for a number of years with the majority of referrers already ordering lab tests via the electronic system. It will also see community referred testing align with developments in the Hospital setting which will see e-ordering of lab tests by Hospital clinicians happening by the third quarter of 2022. Full cut-over to e-ordering will maximise the advantages of electronic ordering which include: • Getting the correct requestor, the correct patient, and the correct tests • Enabling laboratory collects without the patient having to present a form • Enabling collection of clinically significant information for better result interpretation • Removal of faxing and emailing of forms If you have questions in the lead up to 1 June 2022, can you please run these through your Primary Health Organisation (PHO) General Practice lead.
Janice Kuka,
CEO, Nga Maatapuna Oranga Primary Health Organisation
Greig Dean,
CEO Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance
Phil Back,
Acting CEO, Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation
Dianne McQueen,
CEO, Pathlab Bay of Plenty
Mike Agnew
General Manager Planning and Funding BOPDHB