In the outside lab report, why might the data not match what you see in Results Review in the patient's local chart?

The reason why the correct answer highlights that the data in the outside lab report is only outside lab data is crucial for understanding how EpicCare organizes and displays patient information. Outside lab reports are generated by laboratories that are not part of the local healthcare system’s own lab services. Therefore, when reviewing results from these external sources, you will only see the information relevant to those specific outside tests.

This means that there can be significant differences between the data shown in the outside lab report and what is available in the patient's local chart because the local chart may include results from the healthcare facility's own lab, which could also contain additional tests or updated data not found in the outside report. The integration of both local and outside lab results into a consolidated view is a complex task involving data merging, which could potentially lead to discrepancies based on different reporting times, testing methodologies, or types of tests conducted.

Understanding this difference is important for healthcare providers to ensure that they accurately interpret lab results and make informed clinical decisions based on the most comprehensive data available.