Overview
Healthcare providers rely on our lab client’s Test Directory to determine proper specimen collection procedures. However, critical details such as tube type, volume, and order of draw were difficult to locate, leading to mistakes, redraws, and delays. The lab client partnered with i-ology to modernize the digital specimen collection experience and improve clinical accuracy.
The Challenge
Providers struggled to find accurate, up-to-date collection instructions, slowing clinical workflows.
Lack of consolidated guidance increased the likelihood of collection errors and costly redraws.
Manual workarounds placed a burden on staff and created variability in how instructions were communicated.
Internal specimen requirements lived in the client’s backend systems - complicating access.
Client needed a real-time, API-driven solution that delivered clinical clarity without storing PHI in the CMS.
The Approach
i-ology partnered with the lab client to engineer a modern, clinician-friendly specimen collection interface powered by real-time test data.
Discovery and Strategy
Conducted workshops with clinical operations to identify the most common collection pain points.
Assessed high-impact test panels and multi-test workflows to understand priority UX improvements.
Defined goals around accuracy, speed, reduction of redraws, and eliminating manual staff intervention.
Search Enhancements and Data Retrieval
Implemented fast, intuitive single-test and multi-test search to support common ordering patterns.
Integrated MuleSoft-driven APIs to retrieve live specimen requirements directly from client’s internal systems.
Designed API calls to avoid CMS (Content Management System) data persistence, meeting compliance and data-handling needs.
Clinical-Focused User Interface
Created a clean, clinician-optimized UI that displays:
Required volume
Container type
Order of draw
Special handling instructions
Applied visual hierarchy to ensure essential details are immediately visible.
Ensured the experience is mobile-friendly for clinicians on the move.
Operational Reliability & Future Scalability
Added backend reliability mechanisms for uptime, error handling, and data integrity.
Designed the framework to support future enhancements, including panel-level logic and additional test categories.
Ensured the architecture could plug into the client’s broader digital modernization roadmap.
The Outcome
Reduced collection errors and improved diagnostic accuracy.
Delivered faster, more intuitive access to specimen requirements.
Lowered support burden on clinical and customer service teams.
Created a scalable foundation for future laboratory workflow enhancements.
Technologies Used
Vue.js • .NET Core APIs • MuleSoft • Umbraco (Headless) • Real-Time Specimen Data Services