[Contribution of connected prescriptions (NetSIG) for the management of molecular pathology exams]

Abstract

Introduction: This study describes our experience implementing a connected prescription software (NetSIG, Terascop) for molecular pathology exams.

Material and methods: NetSIG was set up for liquid biopsies and tissue testing. After registration and activation of regional pathology laboratories, NetSIG was implemented for external then internal prescriptions.

Results: NetSIG allows users to follow up on all prescriptions on the website, to interact through messages and to consult reports after validation. External set up was quick (3-4 months) and comprehensive (>70%). Prescriptions were made by physicians or more often by secretaries or referring pathologists. Internal prescriptions were made by pathologists then registered in NetSIG by our secretaries. This deployment strategy has resulted in very good completeness of prescriptions (>90%).

Discussion and conclusion: Connected prescriptions made this complex circuit more fluid and facilitated the redistribution of different administrative and technical tasks. The number of phone calls decreased sharply. Half of the prescriptions were made by pathologists and half by oncologists (physicians or secretaries). The mean dearchiving duration for blocks was one day. Mean forwarding of blocks was 2.5 days. Mean turnaround time was 8 days for targeted techniques and 13 days for Next Generation Sequencing. Physicians appreciated the interactivity of the software and the fact that they could consult it on a smartphone.

Keywords: Connected prescription; Molecular pathology; Pathologie moléculaire; Prescription connectée.