Add a Direct Test

Updated 09 October 2026 14:21

Step 1

Select the Specimens option from the main menu.

Note: The visibility of main menu options is determined by menu permissions. For more information about configuring menu permissions, see: Understanding Menu Permissions.

Step 2

Select the target specimen by clicking anywhere on the specimen row except for the action icons.

Note: Options to add or manage direct tests will only be available (visible) if the current user's role has the requisite permissions AND the specimen is in an appropriate state - see the "State" column for the specimen's current state. For example, direct test options would not typically be available in the "Pending Arrival" or "Pending Approval" states.

Step 3

The quickest way to add a direct test to the specimen is by selecting the Direct Tests icon button at the top of the screen (underneath the page title and description), followed by Specify from the two options that appear underneath it. For alternatives, go to step 5.

A form will appear showing the direct tests currently available for selection. This will not include tests that have already been added to the specimen. If you wish to see the existing tests on the specimen before adding new test(s), select the Cancel button (or press the Escape key) go to step 5 instead.

Step 4

Move the corresponding toggle switch position to the right for any test(s) you wish to be added to the specimen. Then select Save. The form will close and you will return to the specimen list view. To see all direct tests that have been added to the specimen, include those just added, see the Direct Tests table in the specimen record view (press the "eye" icon, or double-click, on the required specimen row to view the specimen record).

This is the end of the process. Steps 5 onwards describe alternative methods.

Step 5

If you select View/Update from the Direct Tests drop-down options referenced in step 3, or, alternatively, select the Direct Tests icon on the selected specimen row (hover over each icon for the name of the action or click on the overflow icon ("...") for the full action list), a form will appear that displays any previously added direct tests as "cards" (boxes containing summary details) and single action card (with the same size and shape as the cards) inviting you to add a new test. If only the latter card appears, it means no tests have yet been added.

Step 6

Selecting one of the summary cards will bring up an edit form for the associated test. To add a new test, however, simply select the Add new tests for specimen card. A new form will appear showing the direct tests currently available for selection.

Step 7

Move the corresponding toggle switch position to the right for any test(s) you wish to be added to the specimen. Then select Save. The previous form will reappear, this time with summary cards for the new test(s) you have just added.

If you had already carried out one or more of the new tests before adding them to the system, you can click on the corresponding card to enter the results. A test specific form will appear. The image below shows an example form for the "Urine Dipstick" test, built into the system by default. The form content will vary with test type, and may represent a custom test for your environment. Enter the results and select Save. When the Direct Tests form reappears again, the test you just edited will turn green and show a status of Completed.

If you have not yet carried out the test(s) you have just added, simply select the Close button. You can enter the results later, either with the same method described from step 5 onwards, or by selecting the Edit Test action for the appropriate test in the Direct Tests table within the specimen record view (see: Edit a Direct Test for more details).