Preventing Unwanted Duplicate Diagnostic Test Orders in Nice HMS

Nice HMS, an ABDM triple milestone-certified hospital management system, provides a versatile, user-friendly platform for creating diagnostic test orders and managing billing. Its comprehensive features also include in-lab billing fraud prevention for added security, which you can learn more about in our detailed article Click Here

In this post, we’ll discuss how Nice HMS addresses the issue of duplicate diagnostic test orders. Diagnostic test orders in Nice HMS, known as Service Requests (using HL7 FHIR terminology), go beyond traditional lab tests such as radiology, pathology, biochemistry, and microbiology. They encompass orders for other healthcare services like dietetics, physiotherapy, endoscopy, and echocardiography. Furthermore, the system supports order creation for interventional procedures, including angiography and angioplasty, which may also be classified as procedures.

The Risk of Duplicate Orders

Duplicate orders can occur when multiple healthcare professionals—such as consultants, billing personnel, nurses, or lab technicians—create Service Requests for the same patient encounter. This can happen inadvertently, as each role may have access to create or edit Service Requests. Additionally, certain tests may need to be performed multiple times within a single encounter (for example, repeating hemoglobin levels before and after a blood transfusion). This necessitates a controlled way to manage intentional repeats versus accidental duplicates.

Duplicate Prevention with the "Repeat" Option

To address this, Nice HMS includes a built-in feature within the Service Request creation process. When creating or editing a Service Request, users have access to a Repeat option, which defaults to Don’t Repeat. This setting helps prevent unintentional duplicates by checking if an identical Service Request has already been issued and is in a status of “Draft,” “Active,” or “Completed.” If a duplicate is detected and the Don’t Repeat option is selected, the system will display an error message.

If a test truly needs to be repeated, users can manually select the Repeat option. This allows them to proceed with the order even if a previous Service Request for the same test exists, ensuring the flexibility to repeat tests when clinically necessary while avoiding unwanted duplicates. 

Conclusion

With this advanced duplicate prevention feature, Nice HMS helps hospitals streamline diagnostic processes, reduce patient inconvenience, and optimize resource usage. This proactive approach supports efficient healthcare delivery and minimizes the risk of administrative errors.

Ready to Optimize Your Diagnostic Workflow?

If you’re ready to implement this streamlined solution and benefit from a hospital management system that addresses your operational challenges, contact us today. Let’s discuss how Nice HMS can enhance your facility’s efficiency, reduce errors, and deliver a seamless experience for both healthcare providers and patients.