6th step: Create a test in the LSM

When starting with LSM, it is essential to follow the correct customization steps. You need to create customers, result parameters, assay catalogs, and more. These elements interact in multiple ways, making the order of setup crucial.

Some sections of LSM require prior configuration of others. Ensure you complete the foundational steps before proceeding:

1. User & Requester Management: See KB-1st step Create users/ requesters.

2. Reagents & Equipment Setup: Refer to KB-2nd step Create reagents/equipments.

3. Parameter & Protocol Configuration: Check KB-Create test parameters and KB-create protocols & sample types, respectively.

4. Results & Invoice Template Creation: Learn more in KB-Results & invoice template.

Now all information is available to create or edit a test.

Navigate to Admin > Preferences > Tests.

Click on Add and complete the form.

Test Settings

• Name: Full test or assay name.
• Small Name: Short identifier (e.g., “CBC” for Complete Blood Count).
• Test Code: A unique alphanumeric code assigned to the test.
• Billing Code: Used for invoicing and financial tracking.
• Criteria: Define any specific conditions for test execution (e.g., fasting required, temperature-sensitive).
• Description: Additional details about the test, including special handling instructions.
• Category: The test may be assigned to a category – useful if groups of tests are regularly performed together. This will appear as an option in both the LSM and LSMRemote.
• Sample Type: Choose the sample types associated with the test. When adding tests to a sample the ones that are associated with the sample type will appear at the top of the list.
• Result type: see below
• Default operator: Preferred person to conduct the assay. It can be a single person or a team. This operator or team will see their jobs in the job board, dashboard, and calendar if another selection is not made.
• Default Hours: Default time expected to conduct the assay. Connects to dashboards for reporting and calendar.
• Results template: Template for reporting as final results report. Select the name from a dropdown.
• Processing template: A second template type for results. It could be used for a report of processing parameters.
• Duration: Specify expected turnaround time (days, hours, minutes).
• Workflow Template: Assign a step-by-step workflow for standardized test execution.
• Specialty: Specify if the test belongs to a particular discipline (e.g., Immunology, Pathology).
• Accreditation: Indicate if the test is part of an accredited process (Yes/No).
• Stages: Enable multi-step processing if the test requires phased execution (Yes/No).
• Periodicity: Define recurring test schedules (e.g., every X months or based on parameter changes).

Result Type

Select the appropriate result type(s) based on how the test outcomes should be recorded and presented:

1. Results: Insert selected result fields defined in the dictionary (see below). The results from parameters selected as test/assay level will appear as results in the report.

2. Sample: The result when doing the job is the creation of a new sample for another analysis. This can iteratively create samples for the same test/assay from which the sample was created.

3. File: Import a result file made as a result of doing the job, multiple files may be combined in a zipped file. The file will be available for download via the LSM and the LSM Remote when the job is completed.

4. Link: Provide a URL linking to supplementary data or reports.

Input Parameters

To ensure the test operates correctly, define its input parameters:

• ID Parameter: Unique identifier for each parameter.
• Default Value: Pre-filled value for ease of data entry.
• Unit: Measurement unit (e.g., mg/dL, CFU/mL).
• Mandatory Status: Specify whether the parameter must be filled before proceeding.
• Use the + button to add parameters.
• Use the – button to remove unnecessary ones.
• Enable Auto-Populated Phrases to generate results dynamically based on predefined value ranges.

Once all settings are configured, click Save to finalize the test setup. The test is now available for use.

Related topics:

• Check our Knowledgebase on how to create users/requesters
• See how to create reagents and supplies
• Check out results & invoice templates