xLab Procedures

To best understand setting up new Procedures some definitions are in order;

xLab supports 5 Result "Types". You can see the details of each by clicking on the Result Type Hyperlink

  • Numeric- The anticipated result value will be numeric (like 3.45)
  • Alpha- The anticipated result value will be a code (like "Few", "Many", "+1", etc
  • Calculated- The Result value will be calculated based upon other criteria (we well do one of each)
  • Drug- A Drug Conformation result. (this type is unique to xLab Pain Management Module)
  • Threshold- The anticipated result will be numeric but be reported as Positive or Negative

 

Creating a new test:

Below is the screen you first encounter when selecting procedures.

Each field is described below.

Below is the screen partially filled out for a Test Code "MyTest"

After the Test Definition section is completed, we can not add Results that this Test uses. Click on "New Result". You will now see the Result Definition window.

Or you can enter a Unique non-existing results (which we are going to do now)

We have entered a Result Code of "MyRes" and a Result Name of "MyNewResult". Next we need to select the Type of Result and we have several options;

Numeric Result (back)

Once you have selected the Result Type (in this case numeric), the Numeric Results Window presents so you can enter the appropriate parameters;

Once completed simply click on "Add Result". After which you will see the following screen.

At this point you can add your Reference Ranes and, if desired, Delta Ranges. We will add one as an example. Click on "Add Reference Range" and the Reference Range Window will present.

Patient's whose age falls within the Age Range specified AND whose sex matches the Sex specified will use this range for this Result.

 

Alpha Result (back)

Alpha type Results are used to allow for results that may by Alpha-numeric in nature. Typically UA results like Color.

How it works: - Instruments (like Urine Analyzers) provide Alpha Results (as apposed to numeric) like 'Clear', Cloudy', etc for Color. xLab looks through the defined Alpha Results to find a match and if found, uses the Name and Flag for the result. If the Result is not found, xLab will use the Result sent as both the result and name but cannot flag the result for abnormal.

Once the appropriate result information is completed and "Add Result" is clicked you may then enter the specific result parameters.

Each Alpha Result message consists of a Code, Description and Flag. The Alpha Code must be Unique within xLab. There are many pre-configured Alpha Result Messages in xLab and can be selected by using the F3-Lookup Key while in the Code Box. Position the cursor into the Code Box and press Function Key F3:

You can choose any of the pre-configured codes from the list by clicking on it. Of course if you don't see the one you need, you can also just enter a new code in the Code Box.

After selecting (or creating) the Result, select the flag to use for this results then Click "Add" to add the result to this Test. Continue adding until completed then remember to Save (F10).

Calculated (back)

Calculated Results are results whose Value is the result of a calculation using the Values of other results. Calculated Results are created by selecting a New Result, providing a Name (or using F3 to look up an existing result) and selecting a Result Type of 'Calculated'

Note that you may enter Units and Significant Digits as well as define Reference Ranges just like any other numeric Result. In addition, you define a Calculation using xLab's powerful Script Language. In our example we will define a Calculation for GFR.

One GFR calculation is:

186* (creat^-1.154) * (age^-0.203) * .742 if female * 1.210 if African American.

This can be read as:

186 times the value of Creat raised to the -1.154 times the patient age raised tothe -0.203 times .742 if the patient is female times1.210 if the patient is African American.

Below is the complete xLab Script for this Calculation. Note there is an extensive Help available by clicking on Help.

Form more detail on creating Calculated Results (and a complete list of commands and operators) see this link.

 

Drug (back)

Drug Results are Results that are reported as a value or "Not Detected". While they can be defined in any xLab they are used primarily with the xLab Pain Management Module.

Drug Result parameters consist of;

There are not ranged for Drug results.

Threshold (back)

Threshold Results are reported as either Positive or Negative. No numeric value is reported. These Results are used primarily for Drug Screen results.

Result values received that are Equal to or Less Then the Cutoff are reported as Negative, result values received that are Greater Then the CutOff are reported as Posative. The optional Drug Family allows this Threshold to be associated with a specific Drug Family and, when multiple Threshold Results are reported thay are grouped on the report by Drug Family