{"id":6066,"date":"2025-07-30T04:53:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T04:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/?p=6066"},"modified":"2025-07-30T05:17:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T05:17:25","slug":"5-ways-integrated-labs-in-oncology-ehrs-improve-diagnostic-accuracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/5-ways-integrated-labs-in-oncology-ehrs-improve-diagnostic-accuracy","title":{"rendered":"5\u202fWays Integrated Labs in Oncology\u202fEHRs Improve Diagnostic\u202fAccuracy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In modern oncology, every hour that passes between obtaining a sample and acting on the results can have a considerable impact on survival rates. Many cancer programs still use paper requisitions, third-party portals, and emailed PDFs, resulting in blind spots that hinder prompt and correct judgments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Connecting LIS, molecular-genomics vendors, and point-of-care devices to the oncology EHR eliminates data gaps and creates a continuous stream of information. In this blog, you\u2019ll learn the 5 ways <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/lab-imaging\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"integrated labs\">integrated labs<\/a> provide significant benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Laboratory-EHR Integration is More Important in Oncology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A single missing decimal in a tumor marker result or a delayed next-generation sequencing panel can significantly impact staging, treatment selection, and patient survival.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional oncology processes manage separate LIS, imaging portals, and paper requisitions, creating an environment ripe for errors and delays.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern oncology-specific <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/electronic-health-record-ehr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"EHR\">EHR<\/a>s integrate comprehensive laboratory capability directly into the clinical workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Reducing Turnaround Time from Days to Hours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Faster specimen-to-result cycles. TriHealth&#8217;s Epic-integrated genomics process reduced average biomarker turnaround time from 27 to 9 days, resulting in a remarkable 67% reduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prepare for chemotherapy on the same day by redesigning workflows to include phlebotomy and auto-routed labs. Within infusion units has reduced wait times have been reduced by up to 53% for patients who require <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/agencies\/national-laboratories\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"labs\">labs<\/a> before treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why it Matters&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Shorter lab cycles allow oncologists to begin targeted therapy earlier and avoid potentially unsuccessful or hazardous empiric regimens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implementation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Standardize CPOE templates so that every common biomarker order includes the relevant tubes, CPT codes, and courier tags.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negotiate HL7 or FHIR bidirectional interfaces with your reference laboratories; most sites report a 4\u20136 month construction and test timeframe per lab.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"5 Reasons Lab-EHR Integration Transforms Oncology Care\" class=\"wp-image-6071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-2048x1024.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-1200x600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Vozo-Landscape-Infographics-2-1980x990.jpg 1980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Integrating Discrete Genomic Data into the Clinician Workflow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of scanned PDFs, use smart words. Discrete variant fields automatically populate progress notes, saving approximately 10 minutes per genomic order and 167 FTE hours every 1,000 somatic tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensures team visibility with a single click. Surgeons, pathologists, pharmacists, and tumor board coordinators can access integrated results in the same chart tabs, eliminating the need for portal logins or manual file uploads.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why it Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Structured data enables filters, dashboards, and CDS rules that identify actionable mutations like KRAS\u202fG12C when therapeutic choices grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implementation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Map LIS result codes to specific EHR genomic objects such as Epic Genomics Module, Cerner OncoEMR &#8220;Molecular Result&#8221;.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use role-specific views, such as &#8220;Pending Liquid Biopsies&#8221; for interventional radiology and &#8220;New EGFR+ Stage IV NSCLC&#8221; for pharmacy prior-authorization teams.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Reducing Ordering and Documentation Errors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ACCC identified confusing EHR order protocols, different lab portals, and free-text requisitions as leading causes of biomarker delays and misorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Missed or delayed diagnoses, often due to incorrect test ordering or interpretation, were responsible for 23% of ICU transfers or hospital fatalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Integrated decision-tree order sets trigger the appropriate reflex panels automatically, like IHC-ER\/PR\/HER2 \u2192 multigene NGS, reducing false negatives and repeat biopsies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implementation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create hard stops for clinical context, like primary site, stage, to ensure specimens are sent to the appropriate protocol in the EHR system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implement closed-loop result acknowledgement notifications; unsigned critical results trigger escalation within a defined SLA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Enabling Real-Time Precision Medical &amp; Decision Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Memorial Sloan Kettering used automated annotation of 705,000 radiological records to predict organ-specific metastases and speed up trial matching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EHR-embedded tumor-board software has reduced manual document preparation by 41%, allowing oncologists to focus on subtle genetic evidence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why This Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Near-real-time lab data allows CDS algorithms to detect resistance mutations or drug-gene interactions as physicians write orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implementation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Feed discrete lab and variant data into pharmacogenomic CDS rules like DPYD, UGT1A1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use natural language processing to extract essential biomarkers from narrative pathology if discrete feeds are delayed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Continuous Quality Improvement and Equity Monitoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dashboards that encourage action. Tableau and Epic SlicerDicer provide real-time views of test utilization, turnaround, and outcomes by site, clinician, and ZIP code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Equity lens. After analyzing discrete data, TriHealth found no significant differences in tumor-profiling uptake based on race or socioeconomic status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why It Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaders may identify patient groups who wait longer for NGS or receive fewer precision-therapy visits and respond swiftly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implementation Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Connect FHIR-enabled lab data to population health tools for cohort management and automated outreach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conduct quarterly assessments to align biomarker TAT with time-to-treatment and progression-free survival targets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/switching-to-specialty-ehr-is-it-effective\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"How Specialty EHRs Boost Efficiency, Revenue, and Patient Outcomes\">How Specialty EHRs Boost Efficiency, Revenue, and Patient Outcomes<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vozo Cloud EHR For Your Specialty Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Specialty healthcare practices\u2019 workflow needs to be streamlined. The Cloud EHR solution will help you to digitize the workflow and streamline the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you are looking for a specialized EHR for your practice or need to streamline your practice workflow, Vozo EHR is here to help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vozo\u2019s EHR system offers a vast range of benefits for your specialty practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Streamline your specialty practice workflow and speed up the process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy transition from paper workflow to digital workflow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provides complete access to the patient\u2019s up-to-date medical records<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accurate reporting and analytics for better decision-making<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Our Cloud EHR system continues to scale as your healthcare practice grows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>24\/7 Tech support to assist you with any needs or requirements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our EHR system allows you to manage all patient records under one roof, reducing the heavy workload for your healthcare practice staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trust in Vozo EHR as we reduce your burdens and let you focus more on better patient outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/pricing\" style=\"background-color:#4f6df5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">try vozo ehr<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In modern oncology, every hour that passes between obtaining a sample and acting on the results can have a considerable impact on survival rates. Many cancer programs still use paper requisitions, third-party portals, and emailed PDFs, resulting in blind spots that hinder prompt and correct judgments.&nbsp; Connecting LIS, molecular-genomics vendors, and point-of-care devices to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6067,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[714],"tags":[3,789,790,788,182],"class_list":["post-6066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lims","tag-ehr","tag-integrated-labs","tag-labs","tag-oncology","tag-specialty-ehr"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6066"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6066\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6072,"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6066\/revisions\/6072"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vozohealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}