xLab Procedures
To best understand setting up new Procedures some definitions are in order;
- Test - a Test is an orderable entity that consists of one or more Results. For example in xLab BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel) is a Test.
- Result - The analyte that is measure by your instruments (or manually entered). For example WBC is a Result. Any Result can be used by more than one Test. Attributes like Type of test, Reference Ranges, Delta Ranges, etc are part of a Result.
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.
- Test Code - a unique test string that is used to indentify the Test for Order Entry. This text may contain up to 10 characters (both Alpha and numeric) and must be unique in xLab. For example "BMP". NOTE: to ensure that the Test Code is unique, after entering the code, when the Tab key is pressed if the Test Code already exists in xLab that Test will be called up for editing.
- Test Name - the name that appears on reports. For example "Basic Metabolic Profile". Names need not be unique but to avoid confusion you should not use the same name for two different tests unless there is a very good reason.
- Test Volume - the amount of sample needed to run the Test. This is used by xLab to calculate the number of Containers to be created and thus the number of Labels to be printed. For example; If an SST Continer is used that can hold 5mL of sample and you have ordeed 10 Tests that all use the SST Container, xLab will determine if one container is adiquate by considering all of the Test Volumes of all of the ordered Tests to ensure all requred testing volumes can fet into on container. If not two containers are created.
- Primary Continer - The required sample container (tube) for this Test (I.E. SST).
- OE Note - This optional field allows you to enter a Note to be viewed on the Order Entry Screen when overing over the Test. For example; "Invert 8 to 10 times after draw"
- Confidential - Checking this box implies that the Test should be treated as Confidential
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.

- Result Code - A unique identifier for the Result. You may enter all or part of a Result Code then press the F3 function key to find all existing results that match your entered data. You will get a list like below and can select one to be added to this Test.

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 - 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
- LOINC Code - you can either enter a LOINC code here or, using the Button, look up from our extensive LOINC code list (this is optional)
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;
- Units - Units displayed on the Report
- Significant Digits - the number of digits to the right of the decimal point
- Technical Range - (optional) Typically the linear range for this result
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.
- Age Range - Age may be entered in 'Y'ears, 'M'onths, 'D'ays or 'H'ours (the default is Years).
- Species - Optional, If this range applies to a species
- Sex - 'M'ale, 'F'email or ;U'nspecified
- Critical Low
- Low
- High
- Critical High
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;
- Units - Units reported
- Significant Digits - Digits to the right of the Decmial Point
- CutOff - When a result is received that is less than the CutOff value, the result is reported as "Not Detected"
- Upper Limit - When a value is received that is Greater Than or Equal to the Upper Limit value the result reported is ">UpperLimt" where UpperLimit is the Upper Limit Value.
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