HOW DOES PES WORK?

Every night PES receives the results of the lab tests you order for your patients directly from your lab. The data is transmitted automatically and by means that meet or exceed specifications for secure data transmission. These reports from labs are read into our database, processed by our patent-pending algorithms, and reports and letters are created for the patient and the practice. Supplied with timely and actionable information both doctors and patients can do a better job of keeping labs on target and of managing their disease.

Physicians receive New Patient Roster, Flow Sheets, Labs Due Work Lists, and Population Reports. Patients receive an Invitation Letter after a physician tells us they are eligible. The letter explains how the system works and encourages patients to call us if they have questions. Once active, patients receive Alert letters when some lab results are out of range, and Reminder letters when lab tests are overdue. Various analytic reports, tailored to account needs, are also available.

The diagram below shows the flow of data and reports and how together they help create the desired result.

Getting started with PES

PES was designed by two practicing physicians who are highly aware of the many demands on physician and staff time. Therefore, PES was structured to be simple to learn and and easy to incorporate into clinic workflow. Behind the scenes, PES is technologically sophisticated but for users it can be as simple as a fax machine. PES communications also integrate seamlessly with popular EHR systems, if desired.

Starting PES in a clinic includes a role for physicians, the practice manager, and practice staff. To start, PES and the physician (or clinic executive if applicable) need to agree to and sign a business associate agreement. This is the document that establishes the primacy of protecting patient health information and the HIPAA regulations that ensure it. You can read more about business asssociate agreements on the US Department of Health & Human Services website.

PES will then ask the practice manager to confirm the clinic's contact information, fax number, and communication preferences. The practice manager is also the person who will inform and educate clinic staff about PES.

The next step is to review the New Patient Roster that PES provides. The roster lists all the patients that the data suggests are being managed by the physician. Once we receive confirmation that the physician is caring for the patient and that the disease condition exists we invite the patient to participate.

Many physican's create standing appointments and lab orders for patients that will need both on an ongoing basis.

using pes

After the Initial Patient Roster is completed and returned, the PES system becomes more routine. We will occasionaly send you new patients to confirm. That report is the same as the Initial Patient Roster but lists only one or a very few patients. We may occasionally have to ask you for patient address information if letters we send to them are returned. That will be by way of a one-page form that you'll receive by fax. Or you may want to tell PES about a change in a patient's status. To do that use our Patient Status Update form.

When a patient has new labs performed PES will send you a Flow Sheet. This is similar to a lab report but includes only those labs relevant to the patient and the disease. It also includes previous lab results so that trends are easier to see. Use flow sheets as appropriate, for patient management and education.

PES will send to you weekly, by mail or secure email, a Labs Due Work List . This report shows you those patients for whom labs are due within the next two weeks as well as those that are overdue within the previous week.

Most participating physicians rely upon practice staff to route faxes, order labs for patients (per clinic protocol), and to reach out to patients. Staff also play a crucial role in educating patients because they field any calls for information.

Every 90 days PES will mail to physicians a summary roster of of all active and inactive patients. It shows which patients have labs that are currently out of range or overdue, and it shows how your patient panel compares to others. This is for your information only and Review quarterly reports, if desired.