Lab Report Delivery System with Machine-Readable Form Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical lab test results often face difficulties in being delivered to doctor's offices in a format that can be accepted by their equipment, with issues of electronic data being difficult to read and review, and the need for manual faxing when offices lack electronic capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using multi-function printers (MFPs) to read lab test requests and results, determining the appropriate delivery method (e.g., network or fax) based on the recipient's equipment capabilities, and encoding machine-readable data on forms to facilitate automatic setup and data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electronic data is returned from the lab, then data transmission speed is improved, but readability and ease of review deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fax machine or printing device as an intermediary between the electronic data source and the human reviewer. The electronic data is first converted into a fax transmission or printed document, which then serves as the medium that maintains both electronic transmission efficiency and human readability. This intermediary transformation resolves the contradiction by allowing electronic data to be sent quickly while being delivered in a format that is easy to read and review.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual faxing is used when offices lack electronic capabilities, then compatibility with receiving equipment is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic detection of the receiving office's capabilities and self-adjusts the delivery method accordingly. The lab information system automatically determines whether to send electronic data or fax transmissions based on the receiving equipment's capabilities, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This automation maintains compatibility with various receiving systems while restoring productivity by removing manual faxing requirements.
3Productivity
If electronic data delivery is implemented, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to different office equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its data delivery method based on the receiving office's equipment capabilities. Rather than using a fixed electronic data delivery method, the system continuously assesses the receiving end's capabilities and adjusts the transmission format accordingly - using electronic data when possible for high productivity, and switching to fax transmissions when compatibility is required. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high productivity while remaining versatile across different equipment types.
4Adaptability or versatility
If formatting information is encoded on the form, then adaptability of data delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard fax transmission protocols and formatting conventions that are already widely copied and understood across different systems. Rather than creating proprietary complex formatting languages, the patent leverages existing fax standards that can be read and processed by virtually any fax-capable device. This approach achieves high adaptability through using well-established, universally-compatible formatting methods without requiring complex custom encoding systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method scan a document printed by a first document processing device (using a second document processing device separate from the first document processing device). The document has printed thereon machine readable markings that comprise information of a patient, information of at least one lab test to be performed, and formatting information for the return of the lab test results. The second document processing device identifies the lab test to be performed on the patient based on the machine readable markings. After the lab tests have been performed on the patient, the second document processing device prepares the lab test results by formatting them. These formatted lab test results are then output from the second document processing device to the first document processing device.