Many electronic health record (EHR) systems designed for psychiatrists and mental health providers do not include built-in lab integrations. This often leaves clinicians without a straightforward way to order labs or EKGs electronically, requiring cumbersome workarounds. PMHScribe solves this challenge with a simple, session-driven feature that automatically generates a lab or EKG slip with no integration required.
The Challenge: EHRs Without Lab Integration
Unlike large hospital EHRs, many outpatient psychiatry-focused systems don’t integrate with major lab providers like Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp.
When lab integration is available, it typically allows for:
- Direct electronic ordering → Orders are sent digitally to labs.
- Automated results delivery → Results flow back into the EHR automatically.
However, research shows that a significant number of mental health EHRs lack these capabilities. This is especially true for:
- Solo providers and small practices that prioritize affordability over advanced integrations.
- Providers who rarely order labs or EKGs.
- Systems focused exclusively on therapy or psychiatry, where lab ordering is a secondary function.
This gap leaves providers needing a manual solution to still order necessary tests for medication management, monitoring side effects, or pre-treatment screenings.
Why It Matters for Psychiatrists and Mental Health Providers
For psychiatrists, the inability to order labs easily can disrupt patient care:
- Costly integrations: HL7 interfaces and digital lab ordering can add significant expense to smaller practices.
- Workflow inefficiencies: Clinicians must log into separate portals or handwrite orders.
- Safety concerns: Delays in baseline labs or EKG monitoring can impact medication safety.
How PMHScribe’s Lab Feature Works
PMHScribe was built for psychiatrists and counselors who don’t have full EHR lab integrations. Instead of electronically sending orders to Quest or LabCorp, PMHScribe takes a flexible approach:
- Session Recognition – During your documented session, if you mention that labs or an EKG are needed, PMHScribe’s AI detects it.
- Generate Order – You simply click “Orders” in the note output.
- Printable PDF Slip – PMHScribe instantly creates a professional, physician-signed lab or EKG order slip as a PDF.
- Patient Flexibility – The patient can take the slip to any outpatient lab, hospital, or convenient care center.
This eliminates the need for complex integrations and allows clinicians to continue focusing on patient care.
Benefits of PMHScribe’s Lab Order Solution
- No costly integrations: Avoid expensive HL7 or direct lab interfaces (learn about HL7 standards).
- Works with any lab: Patients aren’t limited to a single lab partner.
- Faster workflow: Generate slips directly from your note in seconds.
- Designed for psychiatry: Most psychiatric providers only need occasional lab or EKG orders, making full integrations unnecessary.
Clearing the Confusion: Requisitions vs. Integration
Some providers ask: “Does PMHScribe integrate with labs and create requisitions?”
- No: PMHScribe does not electronically send orders to a lab (no HL7 or direct interface).
- Yes: PMHScribe generates a valid, physician-signed PDF requisition that serves the same purpose for patients.
This means you can provide patients with a lab or EKG order immediately, even if your EHR or practice setup doesn’t support digital lab ordering.
Step-by-Step Guide: Ordering Labs or EKGs With PMHScribe
- Conduct your patient session.
- Mention any labs or EKGs needed during documentation.
- Click “Orders” in the generated note output.
- Instantly print or download a professional PDF lab order slip.
Why Solo Providers and Small Clinics Love This Feature
- Avoids integration fees and technical setup.
- Works universally with any lab facility.
- Streamlines the psychiatric workflow for medication monitoring and safety checks.
This is particularly beneficial for solo practitioners and small clinics where full-scale EHR integrations are unnecessary.
Conclusion: A Practical Solution to a Common Psychiatric EHR Gap
PMHScribe bridges a common gap in psychiatric EHRs by enabling providers to:
- Quickly generate lab and EKG orders during a session.
- Provide patients with a portable, universal PDF slip.
- Avoid costly and often unnecessary lab integrations.
For psychiatrists and counselors running small practices or using lightweight EHRs, this feature offers a practical, affordable, and compliant solution to an overlooked problem in mental health technology.
