Digitalizing Paper Pathology Requests: Telstra Health Launches Smart Connect
Goodbye paper: pathology requests go fully digital - Medical Republic
Summary
Telstra Health, a major digital health company, launched 'Smart Connect,' an electronic pathology requesting capability. This allows GPs to generate and sign requests digitally within their existing workflow, eliminating manual, paper-based processes, thereby improving clinical efficiency and reducing errors.
Details
Telstra Health has introduced Smart Connect, a new pathology eRequesting capability developed by Australia's largest digital health technology company. Integrated into MedicalDirector Clinical, the feature aims to replace traditional paper-based procedures with a fully digital workflow. It enables GPs to generate, edit, electronically sign, and securely send pathology eRequests directly from their existing system, without leaving the solution. The core of this functionality is powered by Telstra Health’s FHIR-native Health Information Exchange (HIE), which facilitates secure, near real-time sharing of clinical information between MedicalDirector Clinical and integrated pathology providers. This development addresses the rising demand for diagnostic services and is critical for maintaining efficient clinical workflows. According to Dr Jennifer Beer, Smart Connect provides an end-to-end impact by reducing administrative burden for clinicians, removing paper for patients, and freeing up pathology staff from manual data entry. The initial launch was with Healius Pathology Network, and Telstra Health plans to expand adoption across primary care by working with additional pathology providers. This system ensures that laboratories receive structured, legible, and editable requests, helping minimize transcription errors and processing delays. Smart Connect is part of a broader suite of digital workflow tools within MedicalDirector Clinical, alongside AI-powered documentation capabilities.
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