---
title: "Laboratory Workflow"
description: "How to manage lab tests — order tests from OPD/IPD, collect samples, enter results, generate reports, and manage test panels in NICE HMS."
date: 2026-07-19
lastModified: 2026-07-19
category: "lab"
author: "Dr. Umesh Bilagi"
beta: true

---

## Overview

The NICE HMS Laboratory module manages the complete lab workflow: test ordering from OPD/IPD encounters, sample collection tracking, result entry, report generation, and billing integration.

## Test Ordering

Tests can be ordered from two places:

### From OPD/IPD Encounter (Doctor)

1. During a consultation, the doctor clicks **Order Investigation**.
2. Select tests from the test catalog (organized by department: Hematology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, etc.).
3. Add clinical notes for the pathologist if needed.
4. Submit. The order appears in the Lab module queue.

### Direct Lab Entry (Lab Technician)

1. Navigate to **Lab > New Order**.
2. Search for the patient.
3. Select tests to be performed.
4. The order is created and queued for sample collection.

## Sample Collection

1. Go to **Lab > Sample Collection**.
2. Locate the patient's order.
3. Record:
   - **Collection date and time**
   - **Sample type** — Blood, Urine, Swab, Tissue, etc.
   - **Collection site** — e.g., Left arm, Right antecubital fossa
   - **Collector name**
   - **Specimen ID** — Auto-generated per organization (specimenMaxId)
4. Print barcode labels for specimen tracking if needed.

## Result Entry

1. Go to **Lab > Result Entry**.
2. Find the pending test order.
3. For each test parameter, enter:
   - **Result value** — Numeric or text
   - **Reference range** — Auto-populated based on test configuration
   - **Flag** — Auto-calculated: Normal, High, Low, Critical
4. Add pathologist comments if needed.
5. Click **Save** or **Finalize**.

Results can be entered manually or imported from instrument interfaces (if configured).

## Report Generation

Once all results for an order are finalized:

1. Open the test order.
2. Click **Generate Report**.
3. The report compiles all results into a formatted PDF.
4. Options:
   - **Print** — Opens PDF in browser for printing.
   - **Share** — Send to patient via WhatsApp.
   - **Mark as Delivered** — Logs who received the report.

The report includes:
- Patient demographics
- Test names and results with reference ranges
- Flags for abnormal values
- Pathologist signature block
- Lab information (name, address, accreditation)

## Test & Panel Management

Admins can configure the lab test catalog from **Admin > Tests & Panels**:

- **Tests** — Individual lab tests (e.g., Hemoglobin, Fasting Blood Sugar)
- **Panels** — Groups of tests ordered together (e.g., Complete Blood Count, Lipid Profile, LFT, KFT)
- Each test includes: name, department, specimen type, reference ranges (by age/gender), unit, and price

See [Reseller Tests](/docs/reseller-tests) for how resellers manage test distribution.

## Billing

Lab orders are automatically linked to the patient's bill:
- OPD lab orders → standalone lab bill or added to OPD bill
- IPD lab orders → added to IPD bill
- Pricing is per-test from the configured test catalog

## FAQ

**Q: Can I enter partial results and finalize the rest later?**
A: Yes. Save results as draft. Only finalized results appear on the printed report.

**Q: How are reference ranges configured?**
A: Reference ranges are configurable per test, with optional age and gender variations. Set up from Admin > Tests & Panels.

**Q: Can reports include previous results for comparison?**
A: When generating a report, the system shows previous results for the same test (if any) alongside the current result for trend analysis.