FAQs

Can this Laboratory Information System (LIS) be customized to fit my needs or is this one of those 'one size fits all' products?

Fletcher-Flora offers tremendously flexible systems. All of our product suites are designed with extensibility and flexibility in mind to meet the unique needs of today’s laboratories. Our products employ a building block approach offering comprehensive LIS solutions to any size laboratory, from small clinics and group practices to the largest multi-facility reference laboratories to the hospital environment. Our goal is to provide flexible solutions that increase lab efficiency and save money - maximizing your return on investment.
Fletcher-Flora recognizes that ‘one size does not fit all’ and will work with you to build the system that meets the unique needs of your lab.

What kind of reports does your LIS generate?

Our lab solutions offer both patient and management reports. Patient reports include the Patient Sample Report and Cumulative Trend Reports in both text and graphic formats.
Standard management reports include:

Abnormal results
Critical results
Quality control summary reports
Daily logs
Incomplete work or Pending report logs
Audit reports such as Doctor Notification and Orders with Tests Deleted

Cost/Revenue and Billing reports can also be added. With these reports you will be able to audit your operational cost of running the laboratory, as well as the reimbursement you receive from payers. Optionally, you may use report customization and data mining tools to expand your reporting capabilities.

Tell me how FFlex eSuite LIS is implemented and how long installation will take?

The time it takes to implement your new Fletcher-Flora LIS depends upon your unique laboratory requirements. Our Implementation Team is directly involved with the sales process, so that once you are satisfied with the proposed custom LIS solution and have placed your order, our Installation Team will initiate the preplanning process. You will be asked to appoint a system administrator who the Fletcher-Flora team will work with to obtain more detailed information about workflow and layout. We work closely with your administrator to configure your database with information such as test definitions, ranges, physician details and user information. While your system is built and configured to your specific requirements, an installation date is determined. This implementation process has been streamlined so that when we arrive to install your new LIS, we can dedicate more time to training of your staff. On average, FFlex eSuite systems are installed anywhere from four to eight weeks after the preplanning portion of the process has been completed.

How is our staff trained when we installed a new Fletcher-Flora system?

When your lab installs a new FFlex eSuite LIS, training your staff typically occurs at your main lab location at the time of installation. On-site training drastically reduces cost and rescheduling issues for your staff, and allows users to learn in the comfort of their usual work environment. Once initial training is complete, any additional training can be scheduled on-site or via the Web using our online training services. More than 90% of our Implementation and Training Team are Medical Technologists.
One of the benefits of FFlex eSuite is that it was designed with intuitive, browser-based screens to simplify navigation. If your staff is comfortable browsing the Internet, they will find FFlex eSuite is easy to use.

What kind of support service does Fletcher-Flora offer if I have a problem?

Phone and online assistance by the Fletcher-Flora Support Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Suppose I open or acquire additional offices. What remote access options does Fletcher-Flora have to offer?

Remote connectivity is our strength. Fletcher-Flora offers a variety of options to provide connectivity with your main lab maintaining single point administration.

FFlex eOrders™ is a streamlined and cost-effective module for laboratories with one or more remote draw stations that handle orders, sample labeling and collection.

FFlex eClinic™ provides facilities with an unlimited number of ‘virtual LIS systems’ with integrated instruments, printing devices and user workstations. FFlex eClinic can serve lab operations that may face the following challenges:

The need to run critical testing at facilities that require the review of immediate results for the physician’s review while consolidating the noncritical testing in a central location.
Run a full menu of tests, requiring multiple sites to balance the testing load and maximize efficiency by locating facilities closer to their customers.

The core software and functionality of FFlex eSuite is available with any FFlex eClinic deployment, so labs are able to achieve full LIS functionality for as many remote labs as they need at a fraction of the cost of individual systems.

FFlex ePortal™ is a comprehensive outreach module that is the perfect option for laboratories doing reference lab testing. It provides order entry, results review and reporting capabilities so that physicians, researchers and other allied health professionals can securely access their patients’ information. In addition, FFlex ePortal includes an easy-to-use results inbox to alert physicians that results are available for reporting.

FFlex ePhysician™ is a cost-effective remote access module that allows physicians to securely look up results and place future orders from remote facilities over the Internet.

If I have multiple remote sites, do I have to maintain separate databases for each site?

The FFlex eSuite LIS was designed to simplify maintenance of your database. Although you may have multiple sites using one or more of our Web-based modules, all activity occurs on a single database at a central location to your operation. In addition, all data resides on the main FFlex eSuite LIS server, not at a remote location. Your FFlex eSuite solution provides single point administration to reduce maintenance at remote locations and retain the integrity of your data.

If I buy a FFlex eSuite LIS today, how easy is it to add more options as my lab continues to grow?

During the preplanning process, our implementation team works with you to determine your hardware and software needs. This not only covers your current requirements, but we take into consideration your future growth plans. We have designed FFlex eSuite to be highly configurable and flexible to add or change remote access options, instruments, printing devices and users. These changes to help facilitate your growth happen without interruption of service or costly software “upgrades.”
Rest assured that the FFlex eSuite you purchase today will easily grow to meet your needs tomorrow.

How are your Web-based systems protected over the Internet?

Through encrypted data exchange and SSL certificates, coupled with extensive login checking and passwords, all of our Web-based products ensure a secure connection regardless of location. FFlex eSuite can be deployed over the Internet, VPN connection or local or wide area network.

Is it possible to interface the Fletcher-Flora systems to an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system?

Again, the answer is YES! Fletcher-Flora has more than 25 years interfacing our systems with third-party clinical systems, including EMRs, Practice Management, Hospital Information and Billing systems.

How can I get additional information or speak to someone about my particular LIS needs?

Please call us at 800-777-1471 to discuss your current as well as your future LIS requirements.