Method for normalizing clinical laboratory measurements

• US 8,812,241 B1
• Filed: 10/28/2010
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prairie Ventures LLC
• Original Assignee: Prairie Ventures LLC
• Inventors: Markin, Rodney S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundu, Sujoy
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, HARUN UR R
• Application Number:
  US12/914,603
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 702/19, 702/179, 435/6.12, 435/6.14, 435/7.1
• US Class Current: 702/19
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis

Abstract

A computerized method for normalizing the results of clinical laboratory tests to a reference scale includes providing a measured value of a clinically significant parameter, providing a set of patient data, and providing a set of method data, including an indication of a method used by a testing instrument used to measure the measured value. One or more correlation factors are retrieved including a method correlation factor from a computer readable database based on the method data. The method correlation factor corresponds to the method used by the testing instrument used to measure the measured value. A normalized value of the clinically significant parameter is calculated based upon the one or more correlation factors. The normalized value may correspond to a value on the reference scale regardless of the method used by the testing instrument.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for compiling lifetime clinical data associated with an individual, the computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving at least a first correlation factor and a second correlation factor for approximating a first value obtainable using a first test methodology based upon a second value obtainable using a second test methodology, at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprising a reagent lot number correlation factor correlating a reagent lot number to a standard lot number;

receiving a measured value associated with an individual, the measured value comprising clinical data obtained using the second test methodology; and

causing a processor to normalize the measured value using the at least the first correlation factor and the second correlation factor and store the normalized value in an electronic database, wherein the electronic database is configured to store a plurality of values associated with the individual, each one of the plurality of values normalized with respect to the first test methodology.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the other of the at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprises an age correlation factor.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the other of the at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprises a date range correlation factor.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising storing at least one of an identification of the second test methodology, the reagent lot number, a date associated with the measured value, or an age associated with the individual, wherein the at least one of the identification of the second test methodology, the reagent lot number, the date, or the age is associated with the measured value.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first test methodology and the second test methodology are performed using different test instruments.

6. A system for compiling lifetime clinical data associated with an individual, the system comprising:

an electronic database configured to store a plurality of values associated with an individual, each one of the plurality of values normalized with respect to a first test methodology;

a laboratory information system configured to receive a measured value associated with the individual, the measured value comprising clinical data obtained using a second test methodology;

a processor communicatively coupled with the laboratory information system for receiving the measured value associated with the individual; and

a memory having computer executable instructions stored thereon, the computer executable instructions configured for execution by the processor to;

normalize the measured value using at least a first correlation factor and a second correlation factor for approximating a first value obtainable using the first test methodology based upon a second value obtainable using the second test methodology, at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprising a reagent lot number correlation factor correlating a reagent lot number to a standard lot number; and

store the normalized value in the electronic database.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the other of the at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprises an age correlation factor.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the other of the at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprises a date range correlation factor.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured for execution by the processor to store at least one of an identification of the second test methodology, the reagent lot number, a date associated with the measured value, or an age associated with the individual, wherein the at least one of the identification of the second test methodology, the reagent lot number, the date, or the age is associated with the measured value.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the first test methodology and the second test methodology are performed using different test instruments.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer executable instructions for compiling lifetime clinical data associated with an individual, the computer executable instructions comprising:

receiving at least a first correlation factor and a second correlation factor for approximating a first value obtainable using a first test methodology based upon a second value obtainable using a second test methodology, the first test methodology and the second test methodology performed using different instruments, at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprising a reagent lot number correlation factor correlating a reagent lot number to a standard lot number;

receiving a measured value associated with an individual, the measured value comprising clinical data obtained using the second test methodology;

normalizing the measured value using the at least the first correlation factor and the second correlation factor; and

storing the normalized value in an electronic database configured to store a plurality of values associated with the individual, each one of the plurality of values normalized with respect to the first test methodology.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the other of the at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprises an age correlation factor.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the other of the at least one of the first correlation factor or the second correlation factor comprises a date range correlation factor.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein the computer executable instructions further comprise storing at least one of an identification of the second test methodology, the reagent lot number, a date associated with the measured value, or an age associated with the individual, wherein the at least one of the identification of the second test methodology, the reagent lot number, the date, or the age is associated with the measured value.