Test Master File

Test Master File

Use the Tests form to add and configure tests in the Laboratory Information System (LIS). Proper and thorough test setup is essential for the LIS to accurately process results and generate reports. The LIS offers extensive flexibility and a comprehensive range of features designed to accommodate each laboratory's evolving needs and requirements.

📘 Instructions

Follow the steps below to add a test to the LIS.

  1. Click on Master Files
  2. Click on Tests
  3. When the form opens, complete all required fields (marked with an asterisk *) and any other applicable optional fields. Field labels are self-explanatory.
  4. Click on the Add button to save
Notes
The Test Type selected will determine the Result Type selection. Note that once the test has been created the user will not be able to modify the test code and type.

Advanced buttons

Comments
  1. Order Entry Alert: Displays when the test is selected during order entry to alert users to critical notes or special instructions.
  2. Result Report Comment: Prints alongside the test on patient lab result reports.
  3. Specimen Requirements: Prints on lab requisition forms; specify collection, handling, volume, transport, and storage details.
  4. Methodology: Records the analytical method and any special considerations for the test.
  5. Billing Comments: Appears on billing reports; include coding or charge-related notes.
  6. ​Worksheet Comments: Prints next to the test on internal worksheet reports for bench/analyst use.
  7. Clinical Significance: Summarizes the test’s purpose, interpretation guidance, and clinical relevance.

Permitted DX
Permitted Dx defines the ICD-10 diagnosis codes allowed for each CPT code to meet medical-necessity requirements set by Medicare and other payers.
Schedule
Test Schedule (informational only): record the specific weekdays on which the test is performed.
Test Groups
Test Groups let you organize tests into logical groups and set their display order on the result-entry screen and reports, improving data entry and readability.
Label Setup
Use label formats with rules so the LIS selects the correct format for each test and auto-sets how many labels to print, what information to include, and how many copies.
Associated Tests
This button only works with Panels and Super Panels. Use to add the tests to be included in the panels.
Clinical Ranges
Clinical Ranges or Reference Ranges:
  1. Interpreting results: Provide the expected value range (reference interval) for a defined population so clinicians can see whether a patient’s result is low, normal, or high.
  2. Report display: Show the appropriate range next to each result on patient reports, tailored by age, sex, specimen type, units, and sometimes method/instrument.
  3. Abnormal flagging: Drive flags such as L/H/A and trigger critical-result workflows (e.g., alerts, required call documentation).
  4. Automation and rules: Power auto verification thresholds, reflex testing rules, and auto-inserted interpretive comments when results fall outside set limits.
Unreportable Results
Unreportable Results prevents entry of invalid values (e.g., typos, misplaced decimals). When a disallowed value is entered, the system alerts the user and provides guidance to correct it.
Delta Check
  1. Enhance patient safety: Flag potential errors such as mislabeling/mix-ups, sample dilution/contamination, clotting, instrument/reagent issues, or decimal/unit mistakes.
  2. Improve result validity: Hold results that exceed configured change limits from autoverification and route them for technologist review.
  3. Trigger actions: Prompt repeats, reflex tests, recollection requests, or provider notifications; auto-append interpretive/delta comments to reports.
  4. Standardize review: Apply consistent, analyte-specific thresholds and time windows so staff evaluate only results likely to be problematic.
Reflex Rules
Automatically add tests based on a result threshold, instrument flag or other metadata.

Benefits

  • Standardizes care and reduces manual steps and errors.
  • Improves turnaround time and autoverification efficiency.
  • Aligns with clinical guidelines and payer medical-necessity policies.
  • Creates an auditable trail for regulatory compliance.

Common examples

  • TSH out of range → reflex Free T4 (± Free T3).
  • HIV Ag/Ab reactive → reflex differentiation/confirmatory assay.
  • HBsAg reactive → confirmatory neutralization.
  • HCV Ab reactive → HCV RNA PCR.
  • Urinalysis positive (e.g., nitrite/leukocyte esterase) → urine culture.
  • Drug screen immunoassay positive → LC‑MS/MS confirmation.
  • CBC instrument flags → manual differential/smear review.
  • Critical or improbable result → automatic repeat and hold from auto verification.

Best practices

  • Validate criteria and thresholds with clinical stakeholders; monitor alert/reflex rates to avoid over‑utilization.
  • Partition rules by method/instrument, specimen type, and patient demographics where appropriate.
  • Keep documentation current (indications, charges, reporting text); revalidate after assay or workflow changes.
  • Make patient-impacting actions visible on reports (what was reflexed and why) with clear interpretive comments.
Prefixes
Used only on Pathology results.
Panel Billing Rules
Use Panel Billing Rules to translate internal (non-recognized) panels into the appropriate billable CPT component lines, per payer policy, to prevent claim denials.
Organism Group
Associate an organism list with the test to streamline organism selection during microbiology result entry.
Antibiotics Group
Associate an antibiotic list with the test to streamline organism selection during microbiology result entry.
Findings
Associate a preliminary findings list (e.g., Gram-negative cocci, Gram-positive bacilli) with the test to streamline organism selection during microbiology result entry.
Culture Quantity
Predefine colony count reporting types and units for each culture to prevent selection errors and standardize results.
Sources
Predefine the possible sources for each culture to prevent selection errors and standardize results. For example for urine culture only urine or for blood culture only blood.
Allowed Procedures
Select what procedures are allowed for each culture, note that some of this procedures may be billable, other are entered informational and trace purposes only.

 More Options Menu

  1. ABN: When enabled for a test, the ordering user is prompted to generate and print an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) at order entry.
  2. Ratio Configuration: For ratio-type tests, define the formula and specify which component tests (e.g., numerator/denominator) are included in the calculation.
  3. Reference Lab Configuration: Used only when a reference-lab interface is in place; map in-house tests to the reference lab’s codes and set routing and billing parameters.
  4. Ask at Order Entry (AOE): Configure required questions/prompts to collect additional information during order entry. See the related help article for setup details.
  5. Anticipated Positives (Medications): List medications expected to yield positive results on certain screening assays to aid interpretation and alerts.
  6. Confirmatory Tests (Medications): Automatically add designated confirmatory tests when specific patient medications are documented.
  7. Client Frequent Tests: Configure each client’s preferred test menu for the web portal to streamline and speed up ordering.
Info
For additional help please contact our support team


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