Lab Test Result Normalization System for Cross-Source Data Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interpreting and aggregating lab test results from different sources is complicated due to varying formats and calibrations, making it difficult for patients and healthcare professionals to implement effective healthcare strategies.
Innovation Solution
A system that normalizes historical test result data by fitting test ranges to a common chart subrange, allowing for the generation and display of graphical data that clearly indicates test results relative to a total chart range, facilitating easier interpretation and comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If lab test results from different labs and equipment are aggregated, then the availability and access to information is improved, but the complexity of interpreting and comparing results increases due to different formats and calibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives test results from multiple labs and equipment sources, standardizes their formats, and presents them in a unified manner. This intermediary system handles the complexity of format conversion and calibration normalization, allowing users to access diverse test results without directly dealing with their heterogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms test result parameters by converting values from different calibration standards and formats into a common reference framework. This parameter transformation allows results from different sources to be meaningfully compared while preserving the original information content.
2Loss of time
If historical test results are collected and stored, then the ability to analyze trends is improved, but the difficulty of analyzing and determining appropriate action increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization and standardization of historical test results during the data collection and storage phase. By pre-processing the data to establish consistent formats and relationships, the system reduces the analytical burden when users later access and interpret historical trends.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides an intermediary analytical layer that assists users in interpreting historical test results by presenting standardized, comparable data formats and potentially providing contextual guidance for understanding trends and determining appropriate actions.
3Loss of information
If test results are presented with detailed information, then the completeness of information is improved, but the clarity and ease of understanding decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments test result information into hierarchical levels of detail, allowing users to access comprehensive data when needed while providing simplified summaries for routine viewing. This segmentation enables the same system to serve both detailed analytical needs and quick understanding requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different presentation qualities to different parts of the test result information, with key findings and critical values receiving prominent, simplified presentation while detailed technical data remains available but less visually dominant. This local differentiation of information quality enhances readability without sacrificing completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for providing test results to a patient include accessing historical test result data associated with the patient for a test type. The historical test result data is stored as test results for the test type with corresponding test parameters (e.g., test thresholds) for the test result. To account for differences in the test parameters, the historical test result data is normalized and subsequently transmitted as normalized chart data for display at a user computing device. The normalized test result data is also used to identify and transmit content to a user that is relevant to the test results and other trends in the historical test result data.