LaboratoryPanel

A diagnostic report containing a panel of related laboratory test results with overall interpretation. Groups individual results for common test batteries providing comprehensive laboratory reporting.

Overview

LaboratoryPanel aggregates multiple related laboratory results into a single report. Common panels include CBC (complete blood count), BMP (basic metabolic panel), CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), and lipid panels. The panel includes individual results, overall status, pathologist interpretation, and validation information. Panels support efficient ordering, reporting, and clinical review of related tests.

Key Concepts

Panel Status

The status field tracks report lifecycle:

StatusDescriptionResult Reliability
registeredOrder receivedNo results yet
partialSome results readyIncomplete
preliminaryPending verificationMay change
finalVerified completeActionable
amendedModified after finalUpdated values
correctedError correctedRevised values
appendedAdditional info addedSupplementary
cancelledCancelledNo results

Panel Coding

The code field identifies the panel type using Coding:

  • LOINC panel codes (e.g., 58410-2 for CBC)
  • Enables standard ordering
  • Supports quality metrics
  • Facilitates data exchange

Component Results

The results array contains LaboratoryResult:

  • Each individual test result
  • Own reference ranges
  • Individual interpretations
  • Linked to same specimens

Result Aggregation

Calculated fields summarize panel status:

  • resultCount - Total tests in panel
  • abnormalCount - Number outside normal
  • criticalCount - Number at critical levels
  • hasAbnormals - Any abnormal flag
  • hasCriticals - Any critical flag

Clinical Interpretation

The pathologist's assessment:

  • conclusion - Narrative interpretation
  • conclusionCode - Coded diagnosis
  • Synthesizes individual results
  • Provides clinical guidance

Timing

Important timestamps:

  • effectiveDateTime - When specimen collected
  • issued - When report released
  • validatedDateTime - When validated

Validation

Quality assurance fields:

  • validatedBy - Reviewing pathologist
  • validatedDateTime - Validation time
  • Ensures accuracy before release
  • Required for final status

Report Format

The presentedForm field:

  • URL to formatted PDF report
  • Suitable for printing
  • Patient-friendly format
  • Archive-ready document

Use Cases

CBC Panel

For complete blood count:

  1. Order CBC panel
  2. Results include WBC, RBC, Hgb, Hct, Plt
  3. Each component has interpretation
  4. Panel conclusion: "Mild anemia"
  5. Pathologist validates
  6. Report released as final

Metabolic Panel

For chemistry panel:

  1. Order BMP or CMP
  2. Includes glucose, electrolytes, kidney function
  3. Flag abnormal values
  4. Provide renal function assessment
  5. Calculate eGFR
  6. Release with interpretation

Lipid Panel

For cardiovascular risk:

  1. Require fasting specimen
  2. Include total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides
  3. Calculate risk ratios
  4. Provide cardiovascular assessment
  5. Compare to targets
  6. Guide therapy recommendations

Critical Result Handling

When panel contains criticals:

  1. Flag hasCriticals: true
  2. Prioritize validation
  3. Immediate provider notification
  4. Document notification time
  5. Release preliminary results
  6. Finalize after verification

Amended Results

When corrections needed:

  1. Update status to amended or corrected
  2. Document reason for change
  3. Preserve original values
  4. Re-validate with pathologist
  5. Notify ordering provider
  6. Update clinical record

Related Entities

EntityRelationshipDescription
PatientReferencesWho panel is for
EncounterReferencesVisit context
LaboratoryOrderReferencesOriginal order
LaboratoryResultContains manyIndividual test results
SpecimenContains manySpecimens tested
FacilityReferencesPerforming laboratory
PractitionerReferencesValidating pathologist
CodingContainsPanel code and conclusion
ClinicalIdentifierContainsReport identifiers

Calculated Fields

FieldTypeDescription
resultCountnumberTotal number of individual results in panel
abnormalCountnumberCount of results outside normal range
criticalCountnumberCount of critically abnormal results
hasAbnormalsbooleanTrue if any result is abnormal
hasCriticalsbooleanTrue if any result is critical

Enums

status

ValueDescription
registeredPanel ordered but no results yet available
partialSome but not all component results are available
preliminaryResults available but pending final verification
finalPanel complete, validated, and ready for clinical use
amendedResults modified after final release
correctedResults corrected due to error
appendedAdditional information added to final report
cancelledPanel order cancelled, no results generated
entered-in-errorPanel created in error
unknownPanel status cannot be determined
21 properties
Schema

Properties

PropertyTypeModeDescriptionRequired
identifierClinicalIdentifier[]
stored

Unique business identifiers assigned to this laboratory panel by the ordering system, performing laboratory, or other clinical systems for tracking and reference purposes

Example: [{"system":"http://hospital.org/lab-reports","value":"LAB-2024-001234"}]

Optional
patientPatient
stored

Reference to the patient for whom this laboratory panel was performed and whose specimens were tested

Example: {"@type":"Patient","@id":"patient-12345"}

Required
encounterEncounter
stored

Reference to the healthcare encounter during which this laboratory panel was ordered, linking the diagnostic report to the clinical context of the visit

Example: {"@type":"Encounter","@id":"encounter-67890"}

Optional
orderLaboratoryOrder
stored

Reference to the laboratory order that requested this panel, linking the results back to the original clinical request and ordering provider

Example: {"@type":"LaboratoryOrder","@id":"order-98765"}

Optional
statusstring
stored

Current status of the laboratory panel in its lifecycle, indicating whether results are preliminary, final, or have been modified after initial release

Values: registered, partial, preliminary, final, amended, corrected, appended, cancelled, entered-in-error, unknown

Example: "final"

Required
codeCoding
stored

Standardized code identifying the type of laboratory panel performed, typically using LOINC codes for common test batteries like CBC, BMP, or comprehensive metabolic panel

Example: {"system":"http://loinc.org","code":"58410-2","display":"Complete blood count (hemogram) panel - Blood by Automated count"}

Required
effectiveDateTimeDateTime
stored

Date and time when the specimen was collected from the patient, representing the clinically relevant time for interpreting the test results

Optional
issuedDateTime
stored

Date and time when the laboratory panel report was released and made available to ordering providers, marking when results became actionable

Required
performerFacility
stored

Reference to the laboratory facility or organization that performed the tests and produced the panel results

Example: {"@type":"Facility","@id":"lab-central"}

Optional
resultsLaboratoryResult[]
stored

Collection of individual laboratory test results that comprise this panel, each containing specific measurements, values, and interpretations for a single analyte or test component

Example: [{"@type":"LaboratoryResult","@id":"result-wbc"},{"@type":"LaboratoryResult","@id":"result-rbc"}]

Optional
specimenSpecimen[]
stored

Collection of specimens collected from the patient and used to perform the tests in this panel, including details about specimen type, collection method, and handling

Example: [{"@type":"Specimen","@id":"specimen-blood-001"}]

Optional
conclusionstring
stored

Free-text clinical interpretation and summary of the panel results, providing the reviewing pathologist or laboratory director's overall assessment and any clinically significant findings

Optional
conclusionCodeCoding
stored

Coded representation of the conclusion or diagnosis derived from the panel results, using standard terminology like SNOMED CT for structured data exchange

Example: {"system":"http://snomed.info/sct","code":"271737000","display":"Anemia"}

Optional
presentedFormstring
stored

URL or reference to the formatted laboratory report in PDF or other presentation format, suitable for printing, electronic distribution, or inclusion in the medical record

Optional
validatedByPractitioner
stored

Reference to the pathologist, laboratory director, or qualified healthcare professional who reviewed and validated the panel results before final release

Example: {"@type":"Practitioner","@id":"pathologist-456"}

Optional
validatedDateTimeDateTime
stored

Date and time when the panel results were reviewed and validated by a qualified professional, marking the completion of quality assurance processes

Optional
resultCountnumber
calculated

Total number of individual test results included in this laboratory panel, calculated from the length of the results array

Optional
abnormalCountnumber
calculated

Count of individual test results that fall outside the normal reference range, indicating values that require clinical attention or follow-up

Optional
criticalCountnumber
calculated

Count of individual test results that are critically abnormal and require immediate clinical notification and intervention according to laboratory critical value policies

Optional
hasAbnormalsboolean
calculated

Indicator flag showing whether any test results in the panel are outside normal reference ranges, enabling quick identification of panels requiring clinical review

Optional
hasCriticalsboolean
calculated

Indicator flag showing whether any test results in the panel are critically abnormal, alerting clinicians to potentially life-threatening values requiring immediate action

Optional

Examples

Example 1

{
  "@type": "LaboratoryPanel",
  "identifier": [
    {
      "system": "http://hospital.org/lab-reports",
      "value": "LAB-2024-001234"
    }
  ],
  "patient": {
    "@type": "Patient",
    "@id": "patient-12345"
  },
  "encounter": {
    "@type": "Encounter",
    "@id": "encounter-67890"
  },
  "order": {
    "@type": "LaboratoryOrder",
    "@id": "order-98765"
  },
  "status": "final",
  "code": {
    "system": "http://loinc.org",
    "code": "58410-2",
    "display": "Complete blood count (hemogram) panel - Blood by Automated count"
  },
  "effectiveDateTime": "2024-01-15T08:30:00Z",
  "issued": "2024-01-15T14:45:00Z",
  "performer": {
    "@type": "Facility",
    "@id": "lab-central"
  },
  "results": [
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-wbc",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "6690-2",
        "display": "Leukocytes [#/volume] in Blood by Automated count"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 7.2,
        "unit": "10*3/uL"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-rbc",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "789-8",
        "display": "Erythrocytes [#/volume] in Blood by Automated count"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 4.1,
        "unit": "10*6/uL"
      },
      "interpretation": "low"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-hgb",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "718-7",
        "display": "Hemoglobin [Mass/volume] in Blood"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 11.8,
        "unit": "g/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "low"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-hct",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "4544-3",
        "display": "Hematocrit [Volume Fraction] of Blood by Automated count"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 35.2,
        "unit": "%"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-mcv",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "787-2",
        "display": "MCV [Entitic volume] by Automated count"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 86,
        "unit": "fL"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-plt",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "777-3",
        "display": "Platelets [#/volume] in Blood by Automated count"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 245,
        "unit": "10*3/uL"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    }
  ],
  "specimen": [
    {
      "@type": "Specimen",
      "@id": "specimen-blood-001",
      "type": {
        "system": "http://snomed.info/sct",
        "code": "122555007",
        "display": "Venous blood specimen"
      }
    }
  ],
  "conclusion": "Complete blood count shows mild anemia with normocytic, normochromic red blood cells. White blood cell count and differential are within normal limits. Platelet count is adequate.",
  "conclusionCode": {
    "system": "http://snomed.info/sct",
    "code": "271737000",
    "display": "Anemia"
  },
  "presentedForm": "https://hospital.org/lab-reports/LAB-2024-001234.pdf",
  "validatedBy": {
    "@type": "Practitioner",
    "@id": "pathologist-456"
  },
  "validatedDateTime": "2024-01-15T14:30:00Z",
  "_comment": "resultCount: 6, abnormalCount: 2, criticalCount: 0, hasAbnormals: true, hasCriticals: false"
}

Example 2

{
  "@type": "LaboratoryPanel",
  "identifier": [
    {
      "system": "http://hospital.org/lab-reports",
      "value": "LAB-2024-002456"
    }
  ],
  "patient": {
    "@type": "Patient",
    "@id": "patient-54321"
  },
  "encounter": {
    "@type": "Encounter",
    "@id": "encounter-11223"
  },
  "order": {
    "@type": "LaboratoryOrder",
    "@id": "order-44556"
  },
  "status": "final",
  "code": {
    "system": "http://loinc.org",
    "code": "24323-8",
    "display": "Comprehensive metabolic 2000 panel - Serum or Plasma"
  },
  "effectiveDateTime": "2024-01-16T07:15:00Z",
  "issued": "2024-01-16T10:30:00Z",
  "performer": {
    "@type": "Facility",
    "@id": "lab-central"
  },
  "results": [
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-glucose",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "2345-7",
        "display": "Glucose [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 95,
        "unit": "mg/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-sodium",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "2951-2",
        "display": "Sodium [Moles/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 140,
        "unit": "mmol/L"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-potassium",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "2823-3",
        "display": "Potassium [Moles/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 4.2,
        "unit": "mmol/L"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-creatinine",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "2160-0",
        "display": "Creatinine [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 1.1,
        "unit": "mg/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-bun",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "3094-0",
        "display": "Urea nitrogen [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 18,
        "unit": "mg/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "normal"
    }
  ],
  "specimen": [
    {
      "@type": "Specimen",
      "@id": "specimen-serum-002",
      "type": {
        "system": "http://snomed.info/sct",
        "code": "119364003",
        "display": "Serum specimen"
      }
    }
  ],
  "conclusion": "Basic metabolic panel results are all within normal limits. Kidney function and electrolytes are normal.",
  "presentedForm": "https://hospital.org/lab-reports/LAB-2024-002456.pdf",
  "validatedBy": {
    "@type": "Practitioner",
    "@id": "pathologist-789"
  },
  "validatedDateTime": "2024-01-16T10:15:00Z",
  "_comment": "resultCount: 5, abnormalCount: 0, criticalCount: 0, hasAbnormals: false, hasCriticals: false"
}

Example 3

{
  "@type": "LaboratoryPanel",
  "identifier": [
    {
      "system": "http://hospital.org/lab-reports",
      "value": "LAB-2024-003789"
    }
  ],
  "patient": {
    "@type": "Patient",
    "@id": "patient-99887"
  },
  "encounter": {
    "@type": "Encounter",
    "@id": "encounter-77665"
  },
  "order": {
    "@type": "LaboratoryOrder",
    "@id": "order-33221"
  },
  "status": "final",
  "code": {
    "system": "http://loinc.org",
    "code": "57698-3",
    "display": "Lipid panel with direct LDL - Serum or Plasma"
  },
  "effectiveDateTime": "2024-01-17T08:00:00Z",
  "issued": "2024-01-17T12:20:00Z",
  "performer": {
    "@type": "Facility",
    "@id": "lab-central"
  },
  "results": [
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-cholesterol",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "2093-3",
        "display": "Cholesterol [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 245,
        "unit": "mg/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "high"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-ldl",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "18262-6",
        "display": "Cholesterol in LDL [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma by Direct assay"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 165,
        "unit": "mg/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "high"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-hdl",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "2085-9",
        "display": "Cholesterol in HDL [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 42,
        "unit": "mg/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "low"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LaboratoryResult",
      "@id": "result-triglycerides",
      "code": {
        "system": "http://loinc.org",
        "code": "2571-8",
        "display": "Triglyceride [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma"
      },
      "valueQuantity": {
        "value": 190,
        "unit": "mg/dL"
      },
      "interpretation": "high"
    }
  ],
  "specimen": [
    {
      "@type": "Specimen",
      "@id": "specimen-serum-003",
      "type": {
        "system": "http://snomed.info/sct",
        "code": "119364003",
        "display": "Serum specimen"
      },
      "collection": {
        "collectedDateTime": "2024-01-17T08:00:00Z",
        "fastingStatus": "fasting"
      }
    }
  ],
  "conclusion": "Lipid panel shows elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol with low HDL cholesterol and borderline high triglycerides. Patient is at increased cardiovascular risk. Recommend lifestyle modifications and consider statin therapy per current guidelines.",
  "conclusionCode": {
    "system": "http://snomed.info/sct",
    "code": "13644009",
    "display": "Hypercholesterolemia"
  },
  "presentedForm": "https://hospital.org/lab-reports/LAB-2024-003789.pdf",
  "validatedBy": {
    "@type": "Practitioner",
    "@id": "pathologist-456"
  },
  "validatedDateTime": "2024-01-17T12:10:00Z",
  "_comment": "resultCount: 4, abnormalCount: 4, criticalCount: 0, hasAbnormals: true, hasCriticals: false"
}