> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.encoreos.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Lab & Diagnostic Orders — User Guide

> The Lab & Diagnostic Orders feature allows clinicians to create, track, and review laboratory orders and results within the patient chart. Results can be enter…

## Overview

The Lab & Diagnostic Orders feature allows clinicians to create, track, and review laboratory orders and results within the patient chart. Results can be entered manually or received automatically from reference labs via HL7v2 or FHIR interfaces.

***

## Creating a Lab Order

1. Navigate to **Clinical > Charts** and open a patient chart.
2. Click the **Labs** tab in the chart view.
3. Click **New Order**.
4. Fill in the order form:
   * **LOINC Code**: Start typing to search (e.g., "Potassium", "CBC"). The typeahead searches by component name, short name, or LOINC code.
   * **Reference Lab**: Select the lab that will process the order.
   * **Priority**: Choose **Routine**, **Urgent**, or **Stat**.
   * **Specimen Type**: Specify the specimen (e.g., Serum, Urine).
   * **Clinical Notes**: Add relevant clinical context.
5. Click **Save as Draft** or **Submit Order**.

### Using Order Templates

For common panels (e.g., CMP, CBC, Lithium monitoring):

1. Click **Use Template** in the order form.
2. Select a template from the dropdown.
3. The form auto-populates with the template's LOINC codes, specimen types, and priorities.
4. Modify individual fields as needed before submitting.

***

## Order Status Workflow

| Status         | Description                           |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Draft**      | Order created but not yet submitted   |
| **Ordered**    | Submitted to the reference lab        |
| **Collected**  | Specimen has been collected           |
| **In Process** | Lab is processing the specimen        |
| **Resulted**   | Results are available                 |
| **Cancelled**  | Order was cancelled (reason required) |

***

## Reviewing Lab Results

When results arrive (via interface or manual entry), they appear in the **Labs** tab:

1. Open the patient chart → **Labs** tab.
2. Results with abnormal flags are highlighted:
   * 🔴 **Critical High/Low** — Red background, immediate attention required
   * 🟡 **High/Low** — Yellow/warning background
   * 🟠 **Abnormal** — Muted warning
   * ✅ **Normal** — Default display
3. Click a result row to view details.
4. Click **Review & Sign** to acknowledge the result:
   * Add review notes if needed.
   * Confirm to set your signature and timestamp.

***

## Result Trending

To view trends for a specific lab value:

1. In the Labs tab, click the **trend icon** (📈) next to a result.
2. The trend chart shows all numeric values for that LOINC code over time.
3. Reference range lines are displayed when available.
4. Hover over data points to see exact values and dates.

***

## Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Alerts

The system automatically generates alerts for:

* **Overdue monitoring labs**: When a medication's monitoring protocol indicates labs are due (e.g., Lithium levels every 90 days).
* **Abnormal results**: When results arrive with abnormal flags, a CDS alert is created for the treating clinician.

Alerts appear in the patient chart's alert banner and can be acknowledged after review.

***

## Permissions

| Action              | Permission Required |
| ------------------- | ------------------- |
| View orders/results | `cl.orders.view`    |
| Create orders       | `cl.orders.create`  |
| Update order status | `cl.orders.update`  |
| Cancel orders       | `cl.orders.cancel`  |
| Review/sign results | `cl.results.review` |

Contact your organization admin if you need additional permissions.