How are abnormal lab values indicated to users in EpicCare Link?

Abnormal lab values in EpicCare Link are indicated to users through color-coding, which allows for a quick and intuitive assessment of results. This method enhances the ability of healthcare providers to immediately identify values that fall outside the normal range, facilitating timely clinical decision-making. The use of distinct colors can alert users to specific statuses of lab results at a glance, increasing efficiency in identifying critical patient information. Color-coding is a widely accepted practice in electronic health record systems to promote readability and ensure that important data does not go unnoticed, ultimately improving patient care outcomes.

Other methods, such as footnotes detailing abnormalities or bolding results, while potentially useful, may not provide the same immediate visual impact as color-coding. Similarly, relying solely on employee notifications would not be effective for all users accessing the system, as it limits direct, visual communication of critical information in real-time.