> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bizaxl.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Blood Tests and Laboratory
> How to process blood tests at the Diagnostic and Scan Centre - from sample collection through result entry, image attachment, result approval, and sharing with patients.
Blood tests at the diagnostic centre follow a clear chain: book the appointment, collect the blood sample, process it in the lab, enter the results, attach the result image (if applicable), and get a senior clinician to approve the result before it is shared. This chain ensures accuracy and patient safety.
**Who does this:**
* Appointment booking: Receptionist
* Sample collection: Laboratory User
* Result entry: Laboratory User
* Result approval: LabTest Approver
**Requires:** A booked Lab Test appointment. The Lab Test Template for the required test must already be configured.
***
## Available Lab Tests
The centre currently has two configured blood test templates:
| Test | Sample Type | What It Measures |
| --------------- | ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| H1B1 Test | Blood | Glycated haemoglobin - used to assess blood sugar control over 3 months |
| Hemoglobin Test | Blood | The level of haemoglobin in the blood - used to detect anaemia |
Additional test templates can be added by the Healthcare Administrator (see Centre Settings).
***
## Step 1: Creating a Lab Test Record
When the patient arrives for their Lab Test appointment, open the appointment and click **Create Lab Test** from the action buttons. This prefills the patient details.
Alternatively, go to **Lab Test** in the workspace and click **Lab Test**, then click **New**.
### Key Fields
| Field | What to Enter |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Patient | The patient giving the sample |
| Lab Test Template | Select the test (H1B1 Test or Hemoglobin Test) |
| Requesting Practitioner | The doctor who ordered the test (from consultation or external referral) |
| Date | Date the test was ordered |
Click **Save** (do not submit yet - the result is not known at this stage).
***
## Step 2: Sample Collection
A Lab Test order triggers the need for a blood sample. Go to **Lab Test** in the workspace and click **Sample Collection**, then click **New**.
### Sample Collection Fields
| Field | What to Enter |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Patient | The patient |
| Lab Test | Link to the Lab Test record just created |
| Sample | The sample type (Blood - Venous) |
| Date and Time | When the sample was collected |
| Collected By | The phlebotomist who drew the blood |
| Status | Set to "Collected" immediately after collection |
Click **Save**. The sample is now in the system. When it reaches the laboratory, update the **Status** to **Received**.
***
## Step 3: Processing in the Lab
The laboratory processes the sample according to standard protocol. When the result is ready:
1. Open the **Lab Test** record.
2. Find the **Normal Test Items** table.
3. For each parameter in the test, enter the result value, the reference range, and the unit of measurement.
4. If the result falls outside the normal range, mark it accordingly.
***
## Step 4: Attaching the Result Image
For tests where the lab produces a physical printout, strip scan, gel image, or PDF report, attach it directly to the Lab Test record.
Find the **Result Image** field (custom field on this site). Click the upload icon next to it.
1. Select the image file or PDF.
2. Wait for the upload to complete.
3. The file name appears next to the Result Image field.
The LabTest Approver and the patient portal can access the image from here.
***
## Step 5: Approving the Result
Before a lab result is shared with the patient, it must be reviewed and approved by a LabTest Approver.
Open the Lab Test record and click **Approve** from the action bar.
| Before Approval | After Approval |
| ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Result is visible only inside the system | Result is available to the patient on the portal |
| SMS notification not yet sent | SMS notification is sent to patient |
| Report can still be edited | Record is locked |
***
## Step 6: Sharing Results
After approval, the patient receives an SMS that their result is ready. They can log in to the patient portal to view and download their report.
The Laboratory User or Receptionist can also print the result report using the Print button on the Lab Test record. The printed report uses the centre's configured letterhead.
***
## Specimen Records
For tests that require tracking the physical sample container (labelled tube, slide), a **Specimen** record can be created from the Sample Collection. This gives each sample a barcode-friendly reference number for lab tracking.
***
## Lab Test Field Reference
| Field | Purpose |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Patient | The patient whose blood was tested |
| Lab Test Template | Defines what parameters are being measured |
| Requesting Practitioner | Doctor who ordered the test |
| Sample Collection | Linked sample collection record |
| Normal Test Items | Table of parameters with result values and reference ranges |
| Result Image | Attached image of the physical lab report or strip scan |
| Status | Draft / Submitted / Approved |
| Custom Reports Tab | Secondary tab showing all attached images and report previews |
***
## Best Practices
* Always create the Sample Collection record immediately when drawing blood. This prevents the sample from becoming "untracked" if the patient's result takes several hours.
* Label physical sample tubes with the patient name and Lab Test record ID before sending to the lab. This prevents sample mix-ups.
* Attach the result image before approving. Once approved, the record is locked and the image cannot be changed.
* If a result is abnormal (significantly outside the reference range), call the patient or their referring doctor directly rather than waiting for them to check the portal. Record that you called them in a note on the record.
* The H1B1 test result is typically available within 24-48 hours. The Hemoglobin test result is available within the same day. Set patient expectations when booking the appointment.