What is the difference between Final and Preliminary lab results in Epic ASAP?

What is the difference between Final and Preliminary lab results in Epic ASAP?

• A. Final results are verified and clinically approved; Preliminary results are provisional awaiting verification.
• B. Final results are posted before Preliminary results.
• C. Preliminary results are always more accurate.
• D. There is no difference.

Answer: (A)

Final results in Epic ASAP are the verified, clinically approved version of a lab test, the authoritative record used for documentation, decisions, and billing. Preliminary results are provisional; they’re posted quickly to support urgent care decisions but still await verification by the lab or clinician, so they can be updated or changed before the final result is posted. This distinction matters because clinicians rely on the final result for definitive diagnosis and treatment decisions, while preliminary results help with rapid triage but may not yet be definitive. The other statements don’t fit because final results aren’t posted before preliminary, preliminary results aren’t more accurate, and there is a real difference between the two.

Final results in Epic ASAP are the verified, clinically approved version of a lab test, the authoritative record used for documentation, decisions, and billing. Preliminary results are provisional; they’re posted quickly to support urgent care decisions but still await verification by the lab or clinician, so they can be updated or changed before the final result is posted. This distinction matters because clinicians rely on the final result for definitive diagnosis and treatment decisions, while preliminary results help with rapid triage but may not yet be definitive. The other statements don’t fit because final results aren’t posted before preliminary, preliminary results aren’t more accurate, and there is a real difference between the two.