# Diagnostics Workflows

> Use this guide to understand how laboratory, radiology, and pathology work moves through FlowRise HMS in day-to-day operations.

For current rollout status, see [Module Status](../shared/module-status.md).

## What Diagnostics Means in Practice

Diagnostics is where ordered tests are worked after a clinician places them.

In simple terms:

- the clinician orders the test in Clinical
- the diagnostic department works the order in Diagnostics
- the result may be captured through uploaded files, report workflows, and increasingly structured result capture

## Who Uses This Workflow

This page is most useful for:

- doctors and nurses who order tests
- laboratory staff
- radiology staff
- pathology staff
- front desk staff supporting walk-in diagnostics

## The Basic Flow

```text
Clinician or staff creates ServiceRequest
        ->
Diagnostic RequestItem is added
        ->
Diagnostics creates a DiagnosticFulfillment
        ->
Department staff works the fulfillment
        ->
Results are uploaded, entered, reviewed, or signed
        ->
Clinicians review results in the broader patient care flow
```

## Mental Model for Staff

Think of a `DiagnosticFulfillment` as the operational folder for one diagnostic order.

That fulfillment holds the real work record for the ordered service:

- collection or preparation details
- uploaded result files
- report versions
- signatures
- study/media records for imaging

## Common Scenarios

### 1. A clinician orders an FBC

1. Open the patient encounter or relevant patient context.
2. Create or update the service request.
3. Add `Full Blood Count (FBC)` as a service item.
4. The diagnostic fulfillment is created automatically.
5. Laboratory staff open the Diagnostics worklist and continue the workflow.

### 2. A walk-in guest comes only for a scan or test

1. Staff register the service request using the guest workflow.
2. Add the diagnostic service item.
3. Diagnostics still creates the fulfillment.
4. The diagnostic department works the request normally.

This means full patient registration is not required just to complete a test.

### 3. An external result comes back as a PDF or image

1. Open the diagnostic fulfillment.
2. Add the result file.
3. Link it to the report version if appropriate.
4. Finalize or review based on your department policy and permissions.

This supports real-world clinics that receive outside-lab or outside-imaging reports.

### 4. Handing a printed lab result to a patient or walk-in guest

1. Complete and finalize the lab fulfillment (structured results or repeater entry).
2. Open **Diagnostics → Fulfillments** and find the completed lab order.
3. Use **Print Lab Result** from the row actions or the fulfillment view page.
4. A printable report opens in a new tab with branch letterhead, patient or guest identity, test name, and result values.
5. Print from the browser and hand the copy to the person at the counter.

The print action appears only when:

- the discipline is **lab**
- the fulfillment status is **completed**
- result values exist from the completed task

Guest walk-ins show **Guest** identity (name and phone) instead of MRN when no patient record is linked.

## What Users Should Expect Today

The operational surface centers on the **Diagnostics fulfillment worklist** and its nested tabs:

- **Specimens** — collection, containers, processing events
- **Observations** — structured result values
- **Studies / Media** — radiology metadata and key images
- **Allocations** — scheduling slots
- **Report Versions / Result Files** — narrative reports and uploaded PDFs/images

Additional entry paths:

- **Record Structured Results** action on a fulfillment (template-driven form)
- **Clinical workspace** lab tab for in-context result entry during care
- **Print Lab Result** for completed lab fulfillments (patients and guests)

Templates define expected fields for common tests (FBC, urinalysis, imaging narratives) so staff do not rebuild structure manually. Structured values persist to observations; files attach to report versions; mixed entry is supported.

## Good Daily Operating Habits

- Work from the fulfillment instead of trying to manage diagnostic progress from the original order alone.
- Upload external files when that is the real source of truth.
- Use structured entry where it helps your department search, compare, and reuse results.
- Do not assume every walk-in has a patient record; confirm the person context first.
- Follow your role-based permissions for finalizing, verifying, or signing results.

## Questions Staff Should Be Able to Answer

When a fulfillment is open, staff should be able to answer:

- what service was ordered?
- which department owns this work?
- has the sample been collected?
- is there already a result file?
- what is the current fulfillment status?
- is there a report that needs review or signature?

## Related Guides

- [Clinical Workflows](clinical-workflows.md)
- [Getting Started](getting-started.md)
- [Quick Reference](quick-reference.md)
- [Diagnostics Module README](../../Modules/Diagnostics/README.md)