Seamlessly manage outsourced tests and integrate with external laboratories for complete diagnostic coverage.
The Outsourcing & External Lab Management module empowers your diagnostic facility to efficiently handle tests that are referred to third-party laboratories. This module ensures smooth coordination, transparent communication, accurate billing, and real-time tracking of outsourced samples — all within your centralized Laboratory Information System. Whether you're a collection center or a multi-branch lab network, this module guarantees continuity, reliability, and accountability in outsourced diagnostic workflows.
External Lab Directory Management
DOLab gives you a centralized directory of all partnered external labs, complete with their test menus, pricing, and turnaround times. You can assign preferred labs for specific specialties and set priority routing rules. This ensures seamless outsourcing decisions without manual intervention, saving time and reducing operational friction.
- Store lab details: name, contact info, test offerings, pricing, and turnaround times
- Assign specific labs for designated test types or departments
- Set priority or preferred lab settings for automatic routing
Outsource Test Tagging & Auto-Routing
With DOLab, tests unavailable in-house are auto-tagged as outsourced at the time of order entry. The system intelligently routes them to the right lab based on specialty, cost, TAT, or lab preference. This eliminates manual errors, accelerates workflow, and guarantees that every outsourced test reaches the correct partner instantly.
- Auto-tag tests not available in-house
- Route tests based on specialty, cost, TAT, or lab preference
- Minimize manual errors and delays in sending out samples
Sample Dispatch & Tracking Workflow
DOLab digitizes the entire outsourcing process by managing dispatch records, courier details, and receiving lab acknowledgments. Handover manifests and tracking slips are generated automatically for secure transfers. From dispatch to reporting, every outsourced sample is traceable in real time, reducing risks of delays or losses.
- Record dispatch date/time, courier info, and receiving lab details
- Generate handover manifests and tracking slips
- Monitor sample status: Dispatched, In Transit, Received, Reported
Outsource Report Upload & Integration
External lab reports can be quickly uploaded into DOLab, mapped to patient records, and made accessible to doctors and patients via the same reporting interface. Whether in scanned PDF format or integrated via HL7/ASTM APIs, outsourced reports blend seamlessly with in-house reports, ensuring continuity in patient care.
- Upload scanned PDF reports and map them to patient records
- Optionally integrate structured data from APIs or HL7/ASTM interfaces
- Allow doctor and patient access through native reporting interface
Turnaround Time (TAT) Monitoring
DOLab actively monitors promised versus actual TAT for outsourced tests, flagging delays and escalating overdue cases. This ensures SLA compliance, maintains accountability with partner labs, and helps labs identify bottlenecks. With timely alerts, patients and clinicians never have to wait longer than expected.
- Compare promised vs. actual delivery times for each lab
- Auto-escalate overdue samples or missing reports
- Maintain SLA compliance and partner accountability
Panel-Wise Outsource Configuration
DOLab allows you to configure test panels for partial outsourcing, automatically splitting orders between in-house and external labs. This hybrid processing ensures flexibility, optimizes turnaround times, and guarantees that no patient report is delayed due to capacity constraints or unavailable tests.
- Set rules for in-house + outsourced panel combinations
- Automatically split test orders based on lab capabilities
- Improve flexibility in test processing and turnaround optimization
Outsource Billing & Cost Reconciliation
Track all costs associated with outsourced testing directly within DOLab. Whether you work on a markup, commission, or fixed fee model, the system generates accurate payable reports and lab ledgers. This guarantees transparent billing, smooth cost-sharing, and stress-free reconciliation with partner labs.
- Track cost incurred per test and per external lab
- Set billing rules: markup, fixed charges, or commission model
- Generate payable reports and outsource lab ledgers
Communication Logs & Alerts
DOLab maintains a digital communication trail with external labs by logging updates, escalations, and follow-ups. Automated alerts notify staff of pending or received results, ensuring that no sample or report falls through the cracks. Internal tagging keeps teams accountable and labs responsive.
- Record follow-ups, status updates, and issue escalations
- Send automatic alerts for pending reports or received results
- Tag internal users or departments for accountability
Centralized Dashboard for Outsourced Tests
The outsourcing dashboard in DOLab offers a live view of all outsourced activities—samples dispatched, in transit, pending, or completed. With filters for labs, patients, branches, and dates, managers get actionable insights instantly. Exportable reports support decision-making and performance tracking at both lab and branch levels.
- Track samples sent, pending, received, or delayed
- Filter by lab, patient, branch, date range, or test name
- Export performance reports for management review
Compliance & Audit Trails
Every outsourced sample and report is tracked with full timestamped logs in DOLab. From dispatch to upload, user actions are recorded for total transparency. With built-in audit readiness, your lab easily meets NABL, CAP, and ISO standards, strengthening trust with patients and regulators.
- Auto-log every sample movement, user action, and lab status
- Store uploaded reports with timestamp and uploader details
- Meet compliance needs for ISO, CAP, or NABL audits
Business Benefits
- Expand test offerings without investing in costly analyzers
- Ensure smooth coordination with external labs and collection centers
- Maintain patient trust and transparency through timely report delivery
- Gain full control over cost, turnaround, and quality of outsourced diagnostics
- Enhance compliance and accountability with detailed logs and audit trails
DOLab Outsourcing & External Lab Management – Smarter Partnerships, Seamless Workflows
The Outsourcing & External Lab Management module of DOLab empowers labs to manage external collaborations with unmatched efficiency. From automated test routing to real-time tracking and billing reconciliation, it ensures accuracy, transparency, and accountability across the entire outsourcing cycle.
Intelligent Outsourcing & Auto
Routing
- Auto-tags and routes outsourced tests based on specialty, cost, TAT, or lab preference.
- Supports panel-wise configurations for hybrid in-house + outsourced processing.
- Eliminates manual errors, ensuring every test is sent to the right partner lab instantly.
End-to-End Sample Tracking & Report Integration
- Digitally manages dispatch records, courier info, and acknowledgments for secure transfers.
- Real-time tracking of samples from Dispatched → In Transit → Received → Reported.
- External lab reports (PDF or HL7/ASTM) integrate directly into patient records and doctor portals.
Transparent Billing, Compliance & Accountability
- Tracks outsourcing costs, markups, commissions, or fixed fees with clear reconciliation.
-
SLA & TAT monitoring with auto-escalations for overdue samples or delayed
reports. - Full audit trails for ISO, CAP, NABL compliance with complete user and timestamp logs.