> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phbhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Lab orders and results

> Order a lab test from the encounter, review results, and release sensitive results to the patient.

## Before you start

You need a verified MDCN licence and an open encounter for the patient.

## Steps

### Order a test

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Labs tab">
    In the encounter, open **Labs** and click **Order a test**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the lab and tests">
    Pick a lab that offers the test, then the tests. Add clinical notes if useful.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send">
    Send the order. The lab sees it in their queue.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Review results

When the lab releases results, they appear in your **Inbox** under **Lab releases**, and on the encounter's **Labs** tab.

* For an abnormal result, choose **Reviewed — no action**, which adds a short note to the record, or **Start follow-up**, which opens a follow-up visit.
* A normal result is marked reviewed when you open it.

### Release a sensitive result to the patient

Some results, such as HIV tests, are sensitive. The patient sees nothing about them, not even the test name, until you release them.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the held result">
    On the **Labs** tab it says **held from patient** and **Sensitive result — held from the patient.**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Counsel the patient">
    Review and counsel the patient face-to-face.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Release">
    Click **Release to patient**. The result appears in the patient's record.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Only the doctor who ordered the test can release it to the patient.

<Note>
  The list of which tests count as sensitive is a starter list. It is waiting for clinical sign-off.
</Note>

## Rules to know

* You can't cancel a lab order once sent.
* The lab can't amend a released result in PHB yet.

## Related

* [Lab test loop](/workflows/lab-test-loop)
* [Enter and release results](/guides/lab/enter-and-release-results)


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