Finding the tests screen
Understanding the Tests page
Here we display all test results that have either been manually entered in your record or automatically sent from other systems used by your hospital. Recent test results are also displayed on the notifications panel on the Homepage and can also be tracked & displayed within care plan templates set up by clinical teams.
The main page is split into two tabs, the 'Latest' view and the 'Trend' view.
Latest view
The 'Latest' view shows a list of the patient's latest test results.
The first section of the page shows the results from the most recent date of tests.
The second section shows the latest result from each test the patient has in their record.
If a range is sent by the organisation providing the results, the result will indicate whether it is in or out of range.
We will show how the latest test result value has changed (increased/decreased) since the last test (if recorded).
If there are multiple results on the same date, we will indicate which result is the latest.
We show an ‘About test’ link beside each result to allow the patients to read further information about the test on the Lab Tests Online website.
To see the details of a test, click on the individual test to open its history page.
Trend view
The 'Trend' view shows how the results are plotted over time, allowing the user to see how their results have changed over time in graph format.
The tests on this page are ordered into groups of tests (known as panels).
To see the details of a test, click on the individual test to open its history page.
Individual test view (Test history page)
If you click on a test result from either the 'Latest' or 'Trend' pages, you will be taken to a more detailed view of that particular test result.
This test history page contains all results of the test that have been recorded over time. These results are also plotted on a graph, so it is easy to view how these results have changed over time. If the test is part of a test panel (i.e it has related tests), then the results of these related tests will display in smaller graphs beneath the main graph, so results can be viewed together.
For more information on a specific result, click ‘Common questions & test result guide' below the test name. This will take you to Lab Tests Online-UK, which will provide you with information on the test such as why the test is requested and what the test results might mean.
Understanding your test results
When a test result is added to your record, the table on the individual test pages will give additional information. Please note that not all of the below fields will be populated for all results, but could include any of the following information:
Value: This is the test result.
Location: This is the location where the request came from.
Source: Who has added the test result to the record (if the test result has been sent to PKB via HL7 we display the organisation who sent this data to us).
Comments: These are the comments added with the test result. If the sender provides a textual report then the entire report contents will display in Comments and there is no ‘Value.’
Lab ID: The unique ID of the report which contained this result.
Range: This is the normal range for the test result.
Date: This is the ‘clinically relevant’ timestamp. This would normally be when the specimen was taken from the patient.
Receipt by lab: This is when the lab received the specimen.
Lab type: The discipline of the laboratory.
How can I find a specific test result?
Type the name of the test into the 'Search for tests' box to find a specific test by name. Note that this box will not be available until all tests have loaded.
How do I add test results?
Click 'Add result' to open up the form.
Once the 'Add test result' form is open, click 'Add test result', you can now start typing the name of a test or panel to filter the results or you can scroll through the list.
You can select individual tests or if you click on a panel name, all tests belonging to that panel will be selected (for example "Full blood count").
If you click the ellipsis button (options menu) which sits besides eac h result entry, you will see the option to add a comment or remove the test from the form.
You now have the option to add an attachment or change the privacy of the test result(s).
The save button will be disabled until you enter all mandatory fields.
Once saved, the result(s) will be added to the record.
How do I add results with a range that uses less than (<) or more than (>)?
If the reference range is 5 or below for example, you should leave the 'from' field blank and put 5 in the 'to' (second) field as per the above example.
If the range is <5, you will need to leave the 'from' field blank and put 4.99 in the 'to' field
What should I do if the test result I want to add isn't available in the drop down list?
Fill in this form and let us know which test result(s) aren't available in the dropdown list and provide the full test name and the unit of measure e.g. mg/dL (if you know it) so that we can review the request.
How can I discuss test results?
Click on the options menu (ellipsis) beside the result you wish to discuss and click 'Discuss'.
How can I delete a test result?
Click on the options menu (ellipsis) beside the result you wish to delete and click 'Delete'.
Please note: Only the person who entered a data point can delete it.
Deleting the test result does not delete the discussions that were started about the test, nor the copies of the results in these discussions. This is because the involvement of a medical professional in the discussions means that they must be kept for medical and legal purposes.
How can I change the privacy of a test result?
Click on the options menu (ellipsis) beside the result you wish to edit the privacy label and select 'Change privacy'.
Please note: Changing the privacy may result in some professionals and carers no longer being able to view the test result.
How can I print a test result?
When on the page you want to print, right click and select ‘Print’
Can healthcare professionals delay test results?
Some organisations may decide to delay when test results are visible in patient records to given them time to review them first.
If you have a test result that has been delayed, the time and date it will be available will be displayed so you know when to check back. PKB does not send an email when the result becomes available, so its important to remember when the result will become visible.
For more information on delaying test results please click here.
How do I change the time range of a graph?
Select ‘Day’, ‘Week’ etc above the graph to change what date range the graph displays.
What if a test result is corrected?
Sometimes a test result may be corrected by the organisation who originally added the result to your record. If a result has been corrected, the test will have ‘Corrected’ displayed next to the date in red, along with the time of the correction.