Lab results auto-notification to patients/owners

Purpose

1.1. Automatically notify animal owners or patients when lab results are ready, ensuring rapid communication of health updates, enhancing compliance with follow-up recommendations, supporting legal documentation processes, and improving overall care outcomes by integrating with electronic medical records, messaging platforms, and notification services.
1.2. Reduce manual administrative effort, minimize notification delays, and provide timely documentation to meet both medical and regulatory standards.
1.3. Deliver custom notifications tailored to test type, urgency, and owner preferences (SMS, email, app push), logging all communications and outcomes for auditing and compliance.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New lab result entry is finalized and posted to the veterinary EMR system.
2.2. Result status changes from “pending” to “available” or “complete.”
2.3. Veterinarian review or approval of results (if mandatory).
2.4. Scheduled batch notifications at predefined intervals (e.g., hourly or daily).
2.5. Owner communication preference matches an enabled channel (SMS, email, push, postal, portal).

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio (SMS & Voice)
• Feature: Programmable Messaging API; Send SMS on lab result “complete” event.
• Configuration: Webhook from EMR triggers SMS to owner’s number with lab summary.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature: Automated Email API; Dispatch lab result summary on result finalization.
• Configuration: API call with dynamic email template; parameters inject patient specifics.
3.3. Mailgun
• Feature: Transactional Emails; notify with configuration for secure medical content.
• Configuration: Route logic for result type; compliance-focused headers.
3.4. Nexmo (Vonage)
• Feature: SMS Messaging; instant notification on lab data entry.
• Configuration: API endpoint configured to patient profile for direct alerts.
3.5. Slack
• Feature: App Notifications; alert internal teams for follow-up with owner.
• Configuration: Incoming Webhook to relevant channel per result.
3.6. Microsoft Teams
• Feature: Channel Messages; utilize webhook for notifying staff.
• Configuration: Adaptive cards displaying test, owner, follow-up status.
3.7. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature: Send Secure Results as chat message.
• Configuration: API POST with owner’s WhatsApp contact, results payload.
3.8. Salesforce Health Cloud
• Feature: Case Task Trigger; initiate workflow to send result to customer.
• Configuration: Flow builder automates outbound communication.
3.9. Zoho CRM
• Feature: Workflow Automation; email/SMS when result is attached to animal record.
• Configuration: Rule triggers on custom field update (result status).
3.10. DocuSign
• Feature: Certificate of Delivery for email and SMS; verify delivery of result.
• Configuration: API sends notifications and confirms recipient acknowledgment.
3.11. HubSpot
• Feature: Workflows; trigger notification sequence via email/SMS.
• Configuration: Sequence activated by lab results property change.
3.12. Google Firebase Cloud Messaging
• Feature: Push Notifications to owner’s app.
• Configuration: Trigger via cloud function on record update in EMR.
3.13. Amazon SNS
• Feature: Multi-channel push notifications (SMS/email/mobile).
• Configuration: SNS topic subscription tied to lab results event.
3.14. Smarsh
• Feature: Regulatory Compliance Archiving of outbound alerts.
• Configuration: Archive SMS/email traffic for audit.
3.15. Intercom
• Feature: Automated in-app and email messages.
• Configuration: Event-based trigger on lab result ready.
3.16. Meditech Expanse
• Feature: Direct Messaging to patient portal.
• Configuration: Result posted to portal; owner receives push/email.
3.17. SAP Health Engagement
• Feature: Engagement plans tuple lab results with outreach scripts.
• Configuration: Workflow launches messaging based on configurable rules.
3.18. PatientPop
• Feature: SMS/email appointment & result reminders.
• Configuration: Rule watches for lab completion for outbound trigger.
3.19. G Suite (Gmail, Calendar)
• Feature: Time-based notification and calendar invite for follow-up.
• Configuration: Script triggers email and option for follow-up booking.
3.20. RingCentral
• Feature: SMS broadcast; logs for call center use.
• Configuration: Integration hooks to EMR for result-based dispatch.
3.21. Zendesk
• Feature: Ticket creation and auto-email/message for result ready.
• Configuration: API-based flow links EMR output to ticket and triggers auto-reply.
3.22. IBM Watson Health
• Feature: Cognitive workflow for triage of urgency, custom notification path selection.
• Configuration: AI model determines recipient and channel.

Benefits

4.1. Instant owner notifications minimize information lag, enhancing pet welfare.
4.2. Lowers staff administrative load by automating repetitive communication tasks.
4.3. Ensures full traceability of notifications for compliance and audit.
4.4. Supports multi-platform delivery based on owner preference, improving satisfaction.
4.5. Reduces risk of human error, missed results, and delays in follow-up care.
4.6. Allows escalation or routing logic for urgent or abnormal results.