Introduction

Picture this: A patient is referred for a routine blood test. She visits the hospital lab and is told the result will be ready in a day. Based on that timeline, she books a follow-up appointment with her doctor. But when she returns, the result isn’t ready due to an unforeseen delay. Unfortunately, her doctor is heading out for a week-long medical conference. The appointment is rescheduled, the correct treatment is delayed and she’s already travelled a long distance for nothing.

This avoidable delay is all too common in hospitals still relying on manual or fragmented workflows.

 

Problem: Lack of real time tracking

Hospitals often face delays in result delivery because of:

  • No real-time tracking or update on test status
  • Lack of integration between lab, doctor, and patient communication channels
  • Missed handoffs, especially when staff are unavailable
  • Simple scheduling disruptions snowball into serious treatment delays

 

The SharePoint + Power Platform Solution

Microsoft SharePoint and Power Platform provide a practical alternative to full system overhauls. Hospitals can  now completely automate how lab results are processed, tracked, and shared.

 

How it works:

  1. Power Apps for Test Logging: As soon as the sample is collected, lab staff enter details into a SharePoint-connected Power Apps form.
  2. Result Upload & Status Tagging: When the test is complete, the technician updates the SharePoint list and uploads the report. Status is marked as “Ready.”
  3. Automated Doctor Access: Doctors can securely access the result from anywhere using SharePoint. No delays, even if they’re off-site.
  4. Patient Notification via Power Automate: As soon as results are marked ready, patients are notified automatically by email or WhatsApp.

 

Why SharePoint Instead of a New HMS?

Replacing an entire Hospital Management System (HMS) is expensive, time-consuming, and risky. Here’s why SharePoint integration is smarter:

  • Lower Cost: Leverages existing Microsoft 365 licenses and infrastructure
  • Faster Implementation: Modular rollout without full system migration
  • Custom Fit: Only digitize the gaps, keep what already works
  • User Familiarity: Staff are often already familiar with Microsoft tools

 

Addressing Real Concerns

 

1. Integration with Existing Systems

SharePoint and Power Platform can connect to existing HMS/EHR/EMR databases using APIs, SQL connectors, or Power Automate flows-ensuring smooth data exchange without needing a system replacement.

 

2. Scalability & Compliance

  • Scalable Architecture: Built on Microsoft cloud, it handles high data and user volumes across multiple departments.
  • Compliance Ready: SharePoint supports HIPAA and GDPR compliance with role-based access, audit trails, and data encryption.

 

3. Training & Change Management

Digitizing workflows requires training, yes but:

  • Power Platform interfaces are intuitive
  • Microsoft offers extensive training resources
  • Rollouts can be staged by department to ease adoption

 

Conclusion

The cost of a delayed lab result isn’t just frustration, it can mean delayed treatment, poor outcomes, and lost trust. But hospitals don’t need a complete HMS overhaul to solve this.

With SharePoint and Power Platform, they can digitize key workflows, improve communication, and deliver results literally and figuratively without disrupting what already works.