In today’s healthcare environment, clinicians face a growing challenge: balancing patient care with the administrative demands imposed by many electronic health records (EHRs). Every click matters, and for many providers, ordering labs or imaging tests can feel like navigating a maze of screens, diagnosis links, and routing rules. This complexity not only slows workflows but also introduces opportunities for errors and inefficiencies.

A clearer path forward

To address these administrative burdens, health IT vendors are exploring more efficient ways to support clinical workflows. One such advancement is smart ordering—an approach designed to reduce friction in the ordering process and return valuable time to clinicians.

Unlike traditional EHR workflows that require multiple steps and manual linking, smart ordering leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and intuitive design to simplify the experience. Providers can speak or type their desired orders, and the system matches the request to the organization’s local compendium while automatically applying required business rules. Patient-specific details, such as preferred labs, are incorporated directly into the workflow, helping reduce downstream billing issues and rework.

Changing the status quo

The impact of smart ordering is felt quickly in day-to-day clinical practice. By eliminating unnecessary clicks and handoffs, it improves efficiency, reduces cognitive load, and lowers the risk of downstream errors that often occur during delegation. More importantly, it helps clinicians stay focused on patient care rather than navigating administrative tasks.

The next evolution

Smart ordering represents the next phase of EHR innovation, building on advances such as ambient listening and multimodal documentation. Beginning with non-medication orders like labs and imaging, this workflow establishes a foundation for future enhancements, including integration with Virtual Medical Assistant protocols.

At Altera Digital Health, the TouchWorks team focuses on designing technology that supports real clinical workflows. As AI capabilities continue to mature, smart ordering is not just a feature—it reflects a deliberate shift toward reducing administrative burden and enabling more connected, efficient care delivery.

To learn more about TouchWorks’ AI innovations, visit our TouchWorks page.