Understanding Methods to Reducing Redundant Medical Lab Test Ordering ? A Case Study on Vista/Cprs and the Veterans Health Administration

Reducing redundant medical lab tests has been discussed in the literature as a cost saving benefit of Electronic Health Record (EHR) adoption; however the literature does not provide a great deal of information on the mechanics of achieving this goal. Laboratory ordering using an EHR occurs within a complex socio-technical context that can be difficult to understand. A case study was performed on an EHR that provided insight into the interplay of these elements as well as the current state of laboratory ordering guidelines. A theoretical framework, including the Principle of Good Enough (POGE,) for technology design was used to guide the research. The result improved insight into required technological capabilities to support clinical care and the environmental contexts that shape them.