Lab Report - What Information Should You Include?

Lab Report - What Information Should You Include?Getting a copy of your lab report is absolutely vital if you are to understand what you have tested and to understand how your data relates to the overall testing procedure. The more information you can provide to a certified medical assistant, the better your chances are at getting the right results out of your test.Your average lab report will typically have sections dealing with the characteristics of the specimen, the laboratory conditions, an overview of results, and a summary of your results. This information may also include laboratory procedures, guidelines, and any other required information. This information is essentially the 'meat' of your report.If you are concerned that your reporting is going to be lacking, it is imperative that you work with a medical assistant on what to include in your report. There are many places where your lab report can be filled out. You should make sure that you have a digital laboratory report pad available and that you know how to use it before you start writing. It is important that you are familiar with the information contained in the report so that your physician will understand the results of your test.While it can be confusing when the instructions are unclear, there are some things that you should always include. Your lab report should contain information about the test you are testing, the material that were used for the test, and the terminology used during the test. For example, if you are looking at heart rate, that is a measurement of your heart's work; and a measure of your heart's workload. A thorough laboratory report should also include the test being performed, the test's description, and the lab conditions.When you are working on your lab report, you should make sure that you check all the boxes so that you have a complete report. Your patient information should also be included. Most medical associations require that these types of reports include pati ent information. If not, it may be time to get another lab report pad and add that information in.Finally, keep in mind that your lab report is a critical part of your testing experience. Medical associations such as the American College of Medical Assistants (ACCMA) and the Council for Advancement of Medical Informatics (CAIMI) require all lab reports including patient information. These organizations also require that patients be given a copy of their lab report. If you do not provide your patient with a copy of their lab report, it is important that you immediately consult a qualified medical assistant.Once you have completed your report, it is crucial that you store it securely. Many organizations will allow you to email your report as an attachment, but the information in the report should be saved in a secure place like a zip file.This information should never be shared with anyone else. Medical reports and lab reports are different from one another and are needed for differen t reasons. If you are unclear on how to interpret your report, the best advice is to get in touch with a medical assistant for further guidance.