Order lab tests, collect samples and verify results

The NduMed lab workflow from order to verified result: placing orders, collecting samples, printing labels, entering results, critical values and second-person verification.

NduMed tracks every lab test from the doctor’s order to a verified result. Each test on an order moves through four stages, and only verified results are shown to clinicians.

Stage	Shown as	Who acts
Pending	Awaiting collection	Lab technician collects the sample
Collected	Collected	Lab technician enters the result
Resulted	Awaiting verification	A different lab technician verifies
Verified	Verified	Visible to doctors and nurses

Order lab tests (doctors)

1. Open the encounter

   The encounter must not be closed.

2. Select Order labs

   Choose the Priority: Routine, Urgent or STAT.

3. Pick tests and place the order

   Tick the tests and select Place order.

Each test is charged to the patient’s bill at its catalogue price as soon as it is ordered.

Collect samples (lab technicians)

1. Open Lab worklist.
2. Find the test and select Collect sample. NduMed assigns an accession number.
3. Select Print label to print a 4 x 2 inch sample label.

Enter results

1. Open Lab results (the result bench).
2. Select Enter on a collected test and type the numeric value.
3. NduMed flags the value against the test’s reference range for the patient’s sex and age: Normal, Low, High, Critical low or Critical high.

A critical value sends an email alert to the ordering doctor straight away. The email contains a pointer to NduMed, not the result itself.

Verify results

A second lab technician reviews the entered value and selects Verify. If you try to verify a result you entered yourself, NduMed refuses with “A different person must verify a result you entered.” This four-eyes check is required.

View and print a patient’s results

Doctors and nurses open Lab results from the encounter screen to see the patient’s verified results, including results imported from your previous system. Select Print report for a printable Laboratory report.

If a result is missing, check the lab worklist: it may still be awaiting collection, entry or verification.