Laboratories in the NWT will now accept requisitions from Alberta doctors, simplifying the process for patients as well as for doctors in both jurisdictions.
Previously, a requisition written by an Alberta physician for lab work – such as a blood test – needed to be rewritten by an NWT physician before it could be accepted by a lab in the territory.
This often meant patients receiving care from an Alberta specialist, but completing their testing in the NWT, needed to book an appointment with a local doctor to have their lab requisition confirmed or rewritten.
Doing away with this step means patients can more quickly book lab appointments at home. The results will be sent directly to the Alberta specialist who ordered them.
“This change is important because it will ensure Alberta physicians have better access to a patient’s full laboratory history, in one place, helping them track changes over time and provide better care,” said the NWT’s health authority this week.
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The health authority said the new process will mean more appointment openings at health clinics as local doctors will spend less time on “unnecessary appointments” to convert requisitions.
It’s also expected to mean less paperwork, fewer errors on lab forms, and a reduction in delays and confusion about where to send results.
The health authority encouraged patients and Alberta providers to share results with NWT doctors or community health clinics, so the results are also added to a patient’s NWT medical record.
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