Creating Lab Orders
Order lab tests with test name, lab name, priority level, and clinical notes
Overview
Lab orders in SehaFile allow doctors to request laboratory tests directly from the visit workspace. Each order captures the test name, preferred laboratory, priority level (routine, urgent, or stat), and clinical notes. Orders are tracked through their lifecycle from creation to result upload and doctor review, ensuring no test result goes unreviewed.
Lab order form showing test name input, lab name field, priority selector (routine/urgent/stat), and notes area
Steps to Create a Lab Order
- Open the visit workspace — Navigate to the active visit from your dashboard or Visits > Today.
- Scroll to Lab Orders section — Find the Lab Orders section in the visit workspace and click + Add Lab Order.
- Enter the test name — Type the test name (e.g., “CBC”, “Lipid Panel”, “HbA1c”, “TSH”). You can order multiple tests by adding them one at a time.
- Specify the lab (optional) — Enter the preferred laboratory name in the lab_name field. Leave blank if the patient will choose their own lab.
- Set the priority — Select from:
- Routine — Standard turnaround time (default)
- Urgent — Results needed within 24 hours
- Stat — Results needed immediately (emergency)
- Add clinical notes — Enter any relevant clinical context in the notes field (e.g., “Fasting required”, “Check for drug levels”).
- Click “Order” — The system records the order with status “ordered”, the ordering doctor (ordered_by), and the current timestamp (ordered_at).
Order Status Tracking
Lab orders progress through these statuses:
- ordered — Request created, awaiting sample collection
- collected — Sample collected from patient
- in_progress — Lab is processing the test
- completed — Results are ready and uploaded
FAQ
Can I order tests for a patient without an active visit?
No. Lab orders must be linked to a visit. Create a follow-up visit for the patient if you need to order tests outside of a consultation.
Who uploads the lab results?
Reception staff, nurses, or lab technicians can upload results via the lab order's “Upload Result” button. Results include a text value and/or an attached document.
How do I know when results are ready?
Results appear in your “Pending Reviews” dashboard card. You also receive an in-app notification when results are uploaded for your orders.
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