New decision support and required fields will help clinicians select the most appropriate respiratory test.
SOUTH PUGET SOUND – Beginning Oct. 20, Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) and Respiratory Virus Panel (RVP) orders will include brief decision support to help clinicians select the most appropriate respiratory test. Specimen source and clinical indication are required fields and must be completed before the order can be signed.
Why this matters
• Supports appropriate test selection and reduces unnecessary broad-panel testing.
• Helps avoid avoidable patient costs and organizational financial loss.
• Reduces delays and added expense when testing must be sent to an outside laboratory.
• Improves order data for reporting, quality review, and future optimization.
Choose the test that matches the clinical need
• Use a targeted test when evaluating a specific suspected pathogen and a broader panel is not clinically necessary.
• Use an RPP when results are expected to affect clinical management and broader respiratory pathogen detection is appropriate.
Pause before signing
The required source and indication fields are intentional. They support accurate reporting and provide a brief checkpoint to confirm the right test is being ordered. If the needed test is not available or the correct choice is unclear, follow your usual laboratory consultation or local escalation process.
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