AOE Master File

Ask at Order Entry (AOE) are structured questions shown during order entry to capture additional clinical information needed for a specific laboratory service. Answers help the laboratory and the ordering provider select the right tests, apply correct reference ranges, add interpretive comments, and meet compliance/payer requirements.

• Visibility: Responses can be displayed to lab staff and ordering clinicians, and may appear on requisitions or reports.
• Configuration: AOEs can be optional or required and may drive reflex testing or block order submission until answered.
• Governance: Whether AOEs are enabled depends on your laboratory’s policy. Advanced setup or conditional logic may require assistance from the OCL LIS support team.

Example:

• Question: “Is the patient pregnant?”
• Response: Yes/No
• Impact: Guides test selection, adjusts reference intervals, and provides clearer result interpretation.
  

AOE fields answer key:

• Required Checkbox: If this AOE question is required, check this box
• Answer Type:
• Text: will allow to enter free text
• Yes/No: will only have the option to select Yes or No
• List: the user can create multiple options for selection (The Multiple checkbox is only used when multiple selection will be allowed)
• Tests button: From the tests advanced button, you can select the test(s) you want to associate to the AOE.
  

📘 Instructions

Follow the steps below to add an AOE

1. Click on Master Files
2. Click on Ask at Order Entry (AOE)
3. When the form opens, fill in the fields marked with asterisks
4. If the AOE is Required to be answered, Click on the Required checkbox
5. Click on the Add button to save

Refer to Laboratory Manager for further guidance in regard to AOE’s used in the lab.

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