Records For Living Community

Re: TESTS>Measurements>Item Name text and Units

 EDIT: this post is similar to Post 727, 6/5/07 only more issues.

 

The Medical History Summary(MHS) displays the Units for every line item in a list of tests over a number of dates. This repetition of units can be avoided by not entering units in the Units field, but rather by displaying the units after the text in the Item Name field. For example, instead of entering ‘WBC’ in the Item Name field, enter ‘WBC Thou/uL’ or ‘Hemoglobin g/dL’ instead of just ‘Hemoglobin’.

 

Depending on the number of Item Name columns and the length of the text therein, the units may(by program design) roll over to display the column header with two lines instead of one line(g/dl is under Hemoglobin instead of on the same line). This two line presentation is preferable in many cases for clarity, but can not be created by the user.

 

Presently entering TESTS>Measurements>Item Name text (and Value text as well) does not permit the use of a new sentence(Enter key). Adding this capability would be very advantageous. Question – is there a keyboard key sequence that will force a new line in Item Name and Value fields, even though the Enter key is suppressed? That would be a big help right now until the new version of HFE is issued.

 

Going a little further with the same theme, I’ve found that even with the great data presentation in MHS I frequently am looking back at the original lab report to see the Reference Range or Reference Norm values of the tests(blood work in particular). To this end I’m experimenting with adding the Reference Range in the Item Name field as well. So, the example above becomes ‘Hemoglobin 11.5 – 15.0 g/dL’, a two line column title with (preferably) the 11.5 – 15.0 g/dL all on the second line.

EDIT - Test name with Reference Range and Units is not easy to do with the current HFE - it is time and effort consuming, but can be possible when the Only Commn, Template and/or Copy Measurements becomes available.

Please consider the above for the next version of HFE.

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robert

The above post #779 shows a little quirk I’ve noticed with the way I post – the last paragraph or two in the post has a different, usually smaller font than the rest of the post. To avoid going over any posting time limit and losing the post, is write the post in a Word program, Copy the post, go to the forum, click new post, and Paste the post.

 

I’ve found a way to circumvent the different font by adding a last paragraph to my post saying ‘Delete this.’ After Pasting ‘Delete this.’ is usually the only text different, so that is deleted, leaving the entire post one size font. I have no idea how to fix it, but I’ll wager your programmers do.

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robert

Robert,

Thank you for suggesting this display optimization for test measurements and their units.  It's a great idea!

The picture below illustrates a problem that, though unlikely, is something we need to consider: the possibility that tests results are measured in different units.  It is not unusual for doctors' office measurements to be taken in metric units and for folks to use British system when self administering tests (e.g. weight).  It does not invalidate your suggestion, but we need to figure out how to handle both situations.

As for the reference values, it's a little trickier than it might seem.  Reference values may differ by age, gender, provider recommendations, specific treatments, etc.  It's a great suggestion but it is one that would probably be best handled at the same time we implement user customizations, to make sure user's aren't confused by conflicting directions from the software and their medical providers.

Thank you also for sharing the work -around for the community forum bug!

Support Team

>> …that tests results are measured in different units.<<

 

Yes, I agree, that can happen. Personally, I would never record in different units as demonstrated. That would take away the ability to see trend changes in the numbers. Fortunately, converting from one unit of measure to the other is pretty quick with the conversion calculators on the internet.

 

>>… the reference values, it's a little trickier …<<

 

Very true. I read that one cannot use the reference range quoted by one laboratory when reviewing results from another laboratory. Calibrations and sensitivity of each laboratory’s equipment determines the ranges they establish. I’ve found that reference ranges from Oncologists that draw blood and do the hematology tests in their office vary, sometimes significantly, from commercial laboratories.

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robert