To allow community-based prescribers to electronically order lab tests directly from within their office Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), a project to test a “minimally viable product” (MVP) for closed-loop lab e-ordering is being led by the Government of Alberta’s Primary and Preventative Health Services (PPHS) ministry in partnership with Health Shared Services, Alberta Precision Laboratories, and relevant software vendors.
The initial MVP project involving a single community EMR vendor (AVA) and a single clinic (Kneehill Clinic in Three Hills) went live on February 26, 2026. Following this first phase, there will be a period of evaluation with determination of how to proceed with phase 2 (e.g., broadening the scope of MVP participants, rollout to other vendors and clinics).
The stated goal of the project is to have provincial adoption of lab e-ordering workflows in 80–90% of community clinics achieved by 2030. Stay tuned for more information.