Question: I received a result for a lab test ordered by another physician, though I had recently placed an order for the same test. Why did I receive this result?
Context: Since July 2024, Alberta Precision Labs (APL) has been able to electronically merge duplicative lab orders when a patient presents for collection, to avoid collecting separate specimens for each requisition. The results of the merged test are sent to all providers who ordered the test. However, since only one provider can be listed on the result as the Authorizing Provider, others who ordered the same test need to be listed on the result as something else, and also clearly distinguished from recipients designated as a "copy to" provider. The term "Coordination of Care Recipient" is therefore used for these additional ordering providers.
Answer: A Coordination of Care Recipient is an additional provider linked to a lab test order when multiple providers have requested the same test for a patient.
- When more than one provider orders the same test, the system merges these requests into one test at the time of collection.
- Because the system can only assign one Authorizing Provider, one provider remains listed as the Authorizing Provider, while all other providers become Coordination of Care Recipients.
- Both the Authorizing Provider and the Coordination of Care Recipients share equal responsibility for reviewing and acting on the test results, since they all ordered the test.
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