Graphical Non-Linear Representation of Multi-Dimensional Laboratory Measurements in their Clinical Context

Abstract

A polygon-based graphical representation of laboratory test results using non-linear scaling is described. It is argued that the non-linearity of the scale and the use of colors in the representation facilitates interpretation of the test result in its relationship to the standard reference range and critical clinical decision levels. Preliminary results suggest that this representation may be fruitfully used to enhance the efficiency of the information transfer from the clinical chemistry laboratory to clinicians. Other applications, inside as well as outside the medical field, may easily be imagined.

Key-words

Clinical Laboratory - Graphical Representation

• REFERENCES

• 1 Groth TL, Hakman M. The concept of a physician’s workstation. In: Kochli HP, Peheim E. eds. Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Computing in Clinical Laboratories. Lugano, Switzerland: 1989
• 2 Solberg HE, Hansen E. CLDS (Clinical Laboratory Display System): Clinical Laboratory Data. In: Trendelenburg C. ed. Computing in Clinical Laboratories: Databases, Data Presentation, Expected Developments. Stuttgart: 1985
• 3 Baron DN. Radial presentation of results of blood acid-base analysis. Ann Clin Biochem 1985; 22: 359-61.
• 4 Politser PE. How to make laboratory information more informative. Clin Chem 1986; 32: 1510-6.
• 5 Solberg HE, Grasbeck R. Reference values. In: Spiegel HE. ed. Advances in Clinical Chemistry. 1989. 27 1-79.
• 6 Chernoff H. The use of faces to represent points in k-dimensional space graphically. J Am Stat Assoc 1973; 68: 361-8.
• 7 Robertson ER. et al. Biochemical individuality and the recognition of personal profiles with a computer. Clin Chem 1980; 26: 30-6.
• 8 Wolf PL, Durbridge T, Lott JA. Interpretation of Biochemical Panels Utilizing Computer Analysis. New York: Field, Rich and Associates Inc; 1986
• 9 Hoeke JOO, Leijnse B. A polygon-based representation of test results in clinical chemistry. In: Kochli HP, Peheim E. eds. Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Computing in Clinical Laboratories. Lugano, Switzerland: 1989