If you’ve ever wrestled with getting lab results into a patient chart, you know it’s never as plug-and-play as the sales team promised. This guide is for anyone who actually has to do the work—maybe you’re the practice admin, the clinic’s unofficial IT “person,” or the nurse everyone turns to when something’s not showing up where it should. We’ll walk through, step by step, how to integrate lab results into Eclinicalworks patient charts, including honest advice on what usually trips people up.
Why Integration Isn’t “Magic”
Let’s set expectations. Getting labs into Eclinicalworks isn’t just “turning on” an integration. You need to deal with lab vendor formats, interface quirks, and the occasional baffling error message. But if you follow these steps, you’ll avoid the worst headaches and get your practice running smoother.
Step 1: Understand Your Lab Interface Options
Before you start clicking anything, figure out how your labs will connect to Eclinicalworks. There are usually three ways:
- Direct HL7 Interface: Most common for bigger labs (Quest, LabCorp). HL7 is a standard format but “standard” is relative—each lab tweaks it.
- Web Portal/Manual Upload: Some small labs don’t have interfaces. You’ll need to download results and upload them manually.
- Third-party Middleware: Sometimes a separate tool (like an integration engine) is in the mix. Good if you have multiple labs or custom needs, but it’s another moving part.
Pro tip: Call your lab rep and get a straight answer: “Do you support HL7 to Eclinicalworks? If yes, does it go straight in, or do we need a third-party tool?” Don’t accept “we integrate with most EMRs”—ask about YOUR version and setup.
Step 2: Get the Right Permissions and Contacts
You’ll need both technical and admin access in Eclinicalworks, plus someone at the lab who knows their side. Make a list:
- Eclinicalworks admin login
- Lab IT contact
- Practice manager/decision-maker
(for when you hit a wall and need someone to push for answers)
Labs and EHR vendors both love to blame each other. Having a clear contact at each avoids the “not our problem” runaround.
Step 3: Set Up the Interface (or Start Manual Uploads)
This is where the work happens. Here’s how it breaks down:
A. For HL7 or Direct Interfaces
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Coordinate Go-Live Date:
Both Eclinicalworks support and the lab’s IT team need to know when you want to start sending/receiving real patient data. -
Share Connection Details:
Usually, you’ll need: - Practice’s Eclinicalworks site ID or address
- IP addresses for secure connections (VPN or SFTP)
-
Port numbers and protocols (your IT person or EHR vendor will know this)
-
Set Up Test Patients:
Never test with real patient data. Both sides should use test patients to verify results flow into the right chart section. -
Map Lab Codes and Orders:
Labs send results using their own codes. You’ll need to match each lab’s codes to the correct Eclinicalworks order. This is tedious but critical—if you skip it, results won’t land in the right place or could get lost. -
Start with your most common labs (CBC, CMP, Lipids)
-
Confirm units (mg/dL, mmol/L) match what you expect
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Test, Test, Test:
Run a few test orders and follow the results from the lab all the way to the patient chart. If something doesn’t map right, fix it now—not after you’ve gone live. -
Go Live:
Once tests match up, turn on the live feed. Keep a close eye for the first week—problems usually crop up early.
B. For Manual Uploads
-
Export Results from Lab Portal:
Most labs let you download results as PDF or HL7 files. -
Import into Eclinicalworks:
In the patient chart, go to the “Documents” or “Lab Results” section and use the “Upload” feature. - Attach the file to the patient’s record.
- Enter any summary info (date, lab name, result highlights).
This is slower and riskier (easy to attach to the wrong patient), but sometimes it’s your only option.
Honest take: If your volume is more than a handful of labs a week, push hard for a direct interface. Manual uploads will eat your time.
Step 4: Set Up Result Routing and Notifications
Lab results don’t help if nobody knows they’re in the chart. In Eclinicalworks, set up:
- Result Routing: Assign results to the right provider or staff (usually by ordering provider or care team).
- Notifications: Make sure the right people get alerts for new results, especially critical ones.
Check under “Admin” > “Provider Settings” > “Result Routing.” Don’t assume this is set up right out of the box—double-check.
Pro tip: Test with a real result and ask the provider, “Did you get the alert?” Far better than assuming.
Step 5: Train Your Staff (and Yourself)
Even with perfect integration, people need to know where to find results and what to do if something’s missing.
- Walk through the process with your team.
- Show them where results will show up in the chart.
- Remind folks to flag missing or weird results early—don’t let problems fester.
Ignore: The “training videos” most vendors provide are generic and often out of date. Your workflow is unique—build a quick cheat sheet for your team.
Step 6: Monitor and Maintain
Integration isn’t “set it and forget it.” Things break:
- Lab codes change
- Interfaces drop connections
- Eclinicalworks updates can (and do) mess with integrations
Every month: - Run a quick audit: Spot-check a few charts, make sure labs are coming in and mapped right. - Keep a log of interface errors or delays.
When in doubt: If you notice missing results, don’t assume the lab “just didn’t send it.” Nine times out of ten, it’s a mapping or connection issue.
What Actually Works (and What to Watch Out For)
What Works
- Document everything: Keep notes on codes, contacts, and hiccups. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Test before go-live: It’s tedious, but catches 90% of issues.
- Regular spot checks: Small problems get big if you ignore them.
What Doesn’t
- Trusting “out of the box” setups: They’re never fully set up for your practice.
- Assuming labs and EHR vendors talk to each other: They rarely do, unless you push.
- Skipping staff training: Even a perfect integration is useless if nobody knows where to look.
What to Ignore
- “Seamless” claims: There’s always some hiccup. Plan for it.
- Generic help docs: Good for basics, useless for your real workflow. Ask your peers what actually works.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Lab integration in Eclinicalworks isn’t glamorous, but it matters. Don’t try to make it perfect on day one—get the basics working, watch for problems, and tweak as you go. The goal isn’t a flawless system, but one where your team catches issues early and fixes them without drama. That’s real progress.