FROM DATA TO INFORMATION - HOW TO DEFINE THE CONTEXT

In medical decision making, the action taken depends on two interrelat ed factors: (1) the data collected or measured, and (2) the context to which these data apply. Context is defined as the patient-specific da ta and the physician's hypothesis to be tested concerning the patients ' medical problem. The better the data fit the context the greater the ir involvement and impact on the decision to take medical action. This leads to the concept of context-fit values (CFVs) for laboratory data . Depending on the reason for which testing is being requested (monito ring, screening, or diagnosis), this concept enables the supplier of d ata, with the cooperation of the requester, to analyze how well the da ta fit in the context frame of the decision maker. This preliminary co ntext evaluation allows the laboratory to evaluate the possible contri bution the data can provide to the decision maker prior to any medical action being taken. If the calculation of the context-fit value sugge sts that the data does not fit the context frame, then the laboratory can choose not to report the data and then pursue pre-analytic or anal ytic sources of error. This will help to avoid reporting of erroneous results which could lead to unneeded and costly additional testing or, worse, unnecessary or harmful medical action to the patient.