PART 12: ENTERING LAB TEST RESULTS

Once the samples and patients exist in the system, it is possible to record the results of analyzes made from the samples. It is at this stage that the lab technician plays an important role in the functioning of the information system. There are several ways to capture the results of laboratory tests for a patient: enter results by type of laboratory analysis, or search results by patient, lab number or the status of the analysis (conducted or not made).

 This section includes the following guides:

1. How to get to the results entry page. 

2. How to enter results.

3.  How to refer tests to an external laboratory for additional analysis. 

4. How to enter the results of tests referred to an external laboratory

 All samples reported as non-compliant will have a red flag side of their results.

How to get to the results entry page

1. Hover the mouse over the hamburger icon and click to open the menu.

2. Hover the mouse and click on the drop-down menu under the Results module.

Results can be entered by

1. Lab Unit. 

2. Patient.

3. Laboratory Order Number.

4. Range of Order Number

5. Date sample was collected

IMPORTANT: If you select Lab Unit, all tests not yet resulted in that unit are displayed. If you select by Patient or by Lab Number, all tests for that patient or laboratory order will be displayed, including tests that already have results entered. 

How to enter results by unit

1. To enter results by Unit click on By Unit under the Results module.

2. Click on the Select Test Unit drop-down menu.

3. Click the laboratory unit for which you want to enter results.

4. Click on the Search button.

Upon clicking on the search button, the system will conduct a search for the selected unit and return the results in a tabular format that allows you to enter the results.

Note: A Red Flag next to an order indicates that either the sample or order has been reported for a non-conforming event.  

How to enter results by Patient

1. To enter results by Unit click on By Patient under the Results module.

2. Type  in the parameter to search the patient. This can be the Patient Id, Previous  Lab Number, Last Name or First Name. 

3. Click on the Search Button.

Upon clicking on the search button, the system will conduct a search for the patient and return matching results. 

4. Click on the radio button next to the desired patient.

Upon clicking on the desired patient, the system will expand a table format that allows you to enter the results. Use the scroll bar to navigate the page up and down so as to see all the tests for the patient which you can enter results.

Note: A Red Flag next to an order indicates that either the sample or order has been reported for a non-conforming event.  

How to enter results by Order

1. To enter results by Unit click on By Order under the Results module.

2. Enter the Accession number and click on the Search button.

Upon clicking on the search button,  the system will expand a table  that allows you to enter the results. Use the scroll bar to navigate the page up and down so as to see all the tests for the patient which you can enter results.

Note: A Red Flag next to an order indicates that either the sample or order has been reported for a non-conforming event. 

How to enter results by Range of Order Number

1. To enter results by Unit click on By Range of Order Number under the Results module.

Results By Range of Order numbers

2. Enter the range  of the accession numbers in order to limit your search.

3. Click on the Search button.

Upon clicking on the search button,  the system will expand a table  that allows you to enter the results for the filtered accession number range. Use the scroll bar to navigate the page up and down so as to see all the tests for the patient which you can enter results. 

Note: A Red Flag next to an order indicates that either the sample or order has been reported for a non-conforming event. 

Result Entry

How to enter results By Test Date

1. To enter results by Unit click on By Test Date under the Results module.

Click on By Test Date

2.  Enter any of the parameters in order to limit your search.

NOTE:Collection date and received date should be in the format dd/mm/yyyy. 

3. Select the Test Name, Test (Analysis)Statu or Sample Status from the respective drop-down lists. A results entry section will be expanded on the page.

Enter Parameters and Search

How to fill the result entry section.

The result entry section allows you to enter the results whether By Unit, By Patient, By order, By Range of Order Numbers or By Test Date. Each test displays the following information:Lab Sample Info, Test Date, Analyzer, Test Name, Normal Range, Accept, Results, Current Result and Notes. In this illustration, we shall demonstrate  a By Patient result entry by following steps 1- 4 under how to enter results by patient.

Upon clicking on the desired patient, the system will expand a table format that allows you to enter the results. Use the scroll bar to navigate the page up and down so as to see all the tests for the patient which you can enter results.

Note:The results entry columns from left to right include:  Lab Sample Info, Test Date, Analyzer, Test Name, Normal Range, Accept, Results, Current Result and Notes.

1. In this illustration, we shall enter the results for the test by clicking on the Accept checkbox.

Note: The Accept checkbox should be clicked when the results are accepted unconditionally. The Checkbox has the following expected uses;

1. The  test has been redone and the results is the same 

2. There is no results for the test but you do not want to cancel it.

3. The results was changed and the laboratory technician wants to give the biologist the option to add a note during the validation step explaining the reason for the change. 

4. Click on OK on the pop-up dialogue if the test results are accepted unconditionally.

Note: For numerical results, type in the result. For other types, select the result from the drop-down list or type the result in the text field area

2. Enter the Results in the results text field.

3. Leave a note explaining why you are taking the action above then click on the Save button.

A saved successful message will be displayed at the top of the page.

How to refer a test to another laboratory

1. If the technician identifies a reason for referring the sample to another laboratory for confirmatory or other additional testing, they will click on the > arrow on the test to expand the test referral section. In this illustration, a test from the previous section is used.

2. Enter the Method, Referral Reason, Institute, Test to perform and Sent Date then click on the  Save button.

A saved successful message will be displayed at the top of the page.