Connections

• Analytical laboratory system. If the laboratory uses an analytical system, agree how staff pass the accession and encounter context to it. Test that handoff during setup.
• Reporting system. If clinical reports are produced elsewhere, agree how staff find them using the accession and encounter. Test the handoff during setup.
• Billing system. If billing is handled elsewhere, agree how staff carry the encounter charge and patient payment reference into that process.
• Identity service. Set up named People and Users records for staff access; confirm each clinician is linked to the intended user.

Choose an owner for each external handoff you use. Test one patient with two encounters, a received specimen and a rejected specimen. Compare accession, patient and encounter identifiers at the handoff. Assign handoff errors to the Clinical Coordinator or Licensed Clinician before a processing state is treated as complete. Review access to consent documents and privilege evidence as part of the setup.