The instrument record defines various reporting and configuration parameters including performance and quality control metrics as well as general, reference range and reflex comment configurations.

Fields

• Make: The make of the instrument
• Model: The model of the instrument
• Manual: When selected, the instrument does not need to be calibrated or controlled in order for results to be captured. It is not recommended that this feature be activated unnecessarily as it may impact the quality of results
• Description: Descriptive information (example, where the manuals may be found, who the is in charge of servicing the instrument and other information)

Tabs (For the Test selected)

• Performance: The throughput statistics and other potential performance charts/data
• Quality Control: Instrument Calibration and Control indicators (for the instrument at a selected branch)
• General: General configuration parameters
• Reference Ranges: Reference range information for the test on the instrument. By setting these reference ranges, the appropriate flags are shown at result entry or result upload from the instrument interface. For instrument interfacing, these reference ranges override the instruments reference ranges when results are imported.
• Reflex Comments: Reflex comments for the test on the instrument. Configuring these rules automatically reflexes the appropriate comment when a rest meeting these criteria are met.

Various performance metrics

Indicates whether the appropriate calibrations and controls have been run for the test, whether the are valid and when they expire. Also, displays the Levy Jennings report for each of the control levels.

If you are experiencing difficulties entering results, in that the instrument is not available for selection. Inspect this screen. You must ensure that if the instrument is not in Manual mode

• Instrument Test Code: This is the Test Code as found on the instrument. This is required for instruments which are interfaced.
• LOINC Code: The LOINC code used when submitting medical aid claims and result uploads
• Calibration Interval in Days: The frequency in days that the instrument must be calibrated for the test
• Unit of Measure: Use the editor to define a presentable unit of measure using the appropriate superscripts and subscripts where applicable
• Red Warning: This warning indicates which calculated results may reference this test. Exercise extreme caution when creating expressions which use other expressions. Consult THASA for additional information and assistance.
• Expression Logic: Refer to the yellow and blue help panels
• Right side panel: The cost price of the test at each branch when run on this instrument. Consider the reagents, consumables, logistics and other factors. This is used for reporting.

A test may have multiple reference ranges.

• Critical Low(CL): The critically low value
• Low (L): The normal low value
• High (H): The normal high value
• Critical High (CH): The critically high value
• Sex: Male, Female or Both selected
• Age From: The age in hours, days, months or years (including) of the patient
• Age To: The age in hours, days, months or years (including) of the patient

Click the Add Expression button to add the Reference Range to the table

• Low Value: The test result value from which to consider
• High Value: The test result value up to and including to consider
• Sex: Male, Female or Both selected
• Race: The race of the patient to consider
• Age From: The age in hours, days, months or years (including) of the patient
• Age To: The age in hours, days, months or years (including) of the patient
• Result Text: The result qualitative text value to reflex
• Reflex Comment: The comment which should be reflexed onto the result report