System and method for autoverifying laboratory test results

• US 20080186133A1
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beckman Coulter Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Beckman Coulter Incorporated (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Parkhurst, Jason, Ashley, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,112,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.8
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00613 Quality control

Abstract

A method of autoverifying clinical test results comprises displaying an autoverification process as a flowchart on a graphical user interface. The autoverification process is defined by a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes. The autoverification process is configured to evaluate a result and determine if the test result meets a predetermined criteria. The method further comprises receiving the test result and automatically performing the autoverification process on the test result. A system for creating and implementing the autoverification processes comprises a graphical user interface configured to display the autoverification process as a flowchart. The system includes an input configured to receive the clinical test result from a laboratory analyzer. The system also includes a processor configured to analyze the clinical test result according to the defined autoverification process.

Claims

1. A method of autoverifying a clinical test result, the method comprising:

a) displaying an autoverification process as a flowchart on a graphical user interface, the autoverification process configured to evaluate the clinical test result and determine if the clinical test result meets a predetermined criteria;

b) receiving the clinical test result; and

c) automatically performing the autoverification process on the clinical test result.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the flowchart comprises a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges defining a workflow between the plurality of nodes in the autoverification process.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of nodes comprise at least one action node.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the plurality of nodes further comprise at least one decision node.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of configuring the at least one decision node by including parameters for the at least one decision node.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the at least one decision node is displayed on the graphical user interface with a plurality of output edges.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein the at least one action node comprises is displayed on the graphical user interface with no output edges.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an information system with access to the clinical test result if the autoverification process determines that the clinical test result meets the predetermined criteria.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of indicating that the clinical test result should be held for manual review if the autoverification process does not determine that the clinical test result meets the predetermined criteria.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the clinical test result is received from a laboratory analyzer configured to analyze a patient sample.

11. A method of autoverifying a laboratory test result, the method comprising:

a) selecting a plurality of nodes from a menu of nodes;

b) connecting the selected plurality of nodes and configuring at least one of the selected plurality of nodes, the configured and connected nodes defining an autoverification process for the laboratory test result; and

c) autoverifying the laboratory test result according to the autoverification process.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of selecting the plurality of nodes from the menu comprises selecting one node such that the one node appears in a window displaying the plurality of nodes as a flowchart.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein selection of the one node results in the one node appearing in the window along with a plurality of output edges extending from the one node.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the plurality of nodes comprise at least one action node.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one action node comprises an order for an additional test.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the at least one action node comprises validating the laboratory test result.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the plurality of nodes further comprise at least one decision node.

18. A system for autoverifying a clinical test result from a laboratory analyzer, the system comprising:

a) a graphical user interface configured to display a flowchart defining an autoverification process;

b) an input configured to receive the clinical test result from the laboratory analyzer; and

c) a processor configured to analyze the clinical test result according to the defined autoverification process.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the graphical user interface is further configured to provide a menu of nodes used to assemble the flowchart.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the graphical user interface comprises a computer screen wherein the menu of nodes is displayed as a drop down menu on the computer screen and the flowchart is displayed in a flowchart window of the computer screen.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the processor is further configured to make the clinical test result available to an information system if the autoverification process determines that the clinical test result is valid.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the laboratory analyzer comprises a hematology analyzer, an immunochemistry analyzer, or a flow cytometer.

23. A system for autoverifying clinical test results from a laboratory analyzer, the system comprising:

a) means for preparing a flowchart defining an autoverification process;

b) means for receiving a clinical test result from the laboratory analyzer; and

c) means for autoverifying the clinical test result according to the defined autoverification process.