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LIMS Admin Value Flags
A value flag is a rule attached to an investigation parameter that triggers a custom message when a result falls within a defined threshold. Unlike a standard reference range indicator (which simply shows H or L), flags can carry clinical messages — for example, "Show this result to the doctor immediately" or "Repeat the sample — value is critically high." Flags support age-based and sex-based filtering, so the same parameter can trigger different messages for different patient groups.
Use flags when:
- A result value is not just abnormal, but clinically critical and requires immediate action.
- You want to display a specific advisory message on the report rather than just an H/L indicator.
- Different age groups or sexes warrant different alert levels for the same parameter.
- Go to Menu > Admin > LIMS > Investigations.
- Open the investigation and then open the specific item (parameter).
- Go to the Flags sub-tab (or click Add Flag).
- Click Add Flag.
- Fill in the following fields:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| From value | The lower bound of the value range that triggers this flag |
| To value | The upper bound of the value range that triggers this flag |
| Sex | Male, Female, or Any — restricts the flag to a specific sex |
| From age | Minimum patient age for this flag to apply |
| To age | Maximum patient age for this flag to apply |
Example: A flag for critically high serum potassium in adults:
- From value: 6.0
- To value: 99.9 (no practical upper limit)
- Sex: Any
- From age: 18
- To age: 120
Configure up to four independent messages. Each message can be independently switched on or off using the corresponding display toggle:
| Message field | Toggle field | When displayed |
|---|---|---|
| Flag message | Display flag message | Whenever the flag condition is met |
| High message | Display high message | When the value is above the high threshold |
| Low message | Display low message | When the value is below the low threshold |
| Normal message | Display normal message | When the value is within the normal range (optional — rarely used) |
Example messages:
- Flag message: "CRITICAL VALUE — Notify the requesting physician immediately"
- High message: "Critically high potassium — risk of cardiac arrhythmia"
- Low message: "Critically low haemoglobin — consider urgent transfusion"
- Enable the display toggle for each message you want to appear.
- Click Save Flag.
You can add multiple flags to the same parameter to cover different value ranges or age/sex groups. For example, a haemoglobin parameter might have:
| Flag | From value | To value | Sex | Message |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical low (female) | 0 | 7.0 | Female | "Critically low — urgent review required" |
| Critical low (male) | 0 | 8.0 | Male | "Critically low — urgent review required" |
| Critical high | 20.0 | 99.9 | Any | "Critically high — consider polycythaemia" |
When an MLT enters a value that meets a flag condition:
- The flag message appears next to the value field on the result entry screen.
- The message is highlighted (typically in red for critical high, or a contrasting colour for low).
- The MLT can still save and approve the report — flags are informational by default unless a validation rule also blocks approval.
Flags are separate from the manual Requires Immediate Doctor Review toggle. Flags are automatic (triggered by value thresholds); the toggle is manual (set by an authorised user after reviewing the result). Both can be active on the same report.
See Result Flags & Critical Values for the user-facing explanation.