Operations workbench

What the workbench is for

The Operations Workbench is the fastest way to see what is currently moving inside a branch. It does not replace the Orders list, the Sample Log, the Results Queue, or the Device Inbox. Instead, it brings the most important active items from those areas into one screen so the operations team can decide where to start.

The page is branch-scoped. A user sees the work that belongs to the current Lab Panel branch and only sees actions allowed by their role. Managers can normally see the full queue. Reception, technicians, and operations users may see a smaller set depending on their assigned permissions.

Queue overview

The compact overview at the top shows the live workload in five groups. Select a group to jump to its full section on the same page:

Counter	What it means
Intake Queue	Active orders that still need operational attention.
Sample Queue	Samples in active states such as pending, collected, in transit, received, or processing.
Results Queue	Orders that have entered result work and should be checked by a technician or reviewer.
Dispatch Queue	Open home visit requests that are pending, assigned, or started.
Recollection Queue	Rejected samples that need a replacement collection.

If a total is larger than the visible list, the section shows Showing 8 of 10, for example. Use the relevant full record or dedicated workspace when the queue is larger than the preview.

Consistent queue sections

Every queue uses the same structure: a semantic color and icon, a short description, the true total, compact identity and status information, the most useful time or identifier, and one accountable action. On a phone the action moves below the identity without hiding the status or blocker. Empty sections show a clear completion state instead of a blank panel.

Intake queue

Each intake item shows the order code, patient name, current status, creation time, checklist progress, and next step. The progress bar is calculated from the order checklist, not typed manually. If it shows a low percentage, open the order and check whether the blocker is payment, sample processing, home visit dispatch, or results closure.

Use View Order when you need patient details, selected tests, payment summary, order activity, samples, results, or cashier navigation. Avoid changing statuses from memory; open the order and read the current state first.

Sample queue

Sample cards show the sample code, patient, sample status, barcode, and a shortcut to View Samples. This queue is useful for quick barcode follow-up. If a patient calls asking whether the sample was received, or a technician asks why a test is not ready, open the sample record and check the sample lane, receipt date, priority, rejection note, transfer, and included tests.

If the barcode is missing or the wrong label was printed, go to the Sample Log rather than editing the order directly. The sample actions keep the audit trail tied to the sample.

Recollection queue

Waiting for Recollection shows the original barcode, patient, rejection reason, affected tests, and request time. Choose Open Recollection to open the order's Sample Log, then create the replacement from Missing Tests Samples. The rejected source remains in history.

Results queue

Results cards show the order code, patient, operational status, received time, and result progress. The progress line compares entered results, expected results, approved or released results, and released results. This makes it clear whether the order is waiting for entry, waiting for approval, or ready for final release.

The Open Results link is shown only when the user has permission to enter or review results. Users without that permission see a manager or technician-only marker so they know the queue exists but cannot open the clinical worksheet.

Dispatch queue

Dispatch cards show the visit code, patient, visit status, collector, scheduled time, and a shortcut to the order. They are for home collection work that is still pending, assigned, or in the field. Use the dedicated Home Visit Dispatch Board to schedule, assign or reassign, confirm tube custody, recover a missed field status with an audit reason, review the timeline, and receive each returned sample into its exact location.

How to run a shift from the workbench

At the beginning of a shift, check the highest-risk queue first. For many branches that means results waiting for release, urgent samples, or active home visits. During busy reception hours, check the intake queue frequently because new orders can block downstream work if patient information, test selection, or requirements are incomplete.

A practical rhythm is:

1. Clear urgent dispatch and sample exceptions.
2. Open orders with blocked checklist steps.
3. Move received samples into processing.
4. Open result candidates and finish entry or review.
5. Return to the workbench to confirm counts are dropping.

Empty states

An empty queue is not a system problem by itself. No active intake items, No sample work items, No pending result items, and No dispatch items simply mean nothing in that branch currently matches the active queue criteria. If staff expect a record to appear, check the branch, order status, sample status, user permissions, and whether the work has already moved to a finished or cancelled state.

Common mistakes

Do not treat the workbench as the only source of detail. It is a triage surface. Open the full record before making decisions.

Do not ignore the checklist next step. It is the best signal for why an order is still active.

Do not ask reception to solve clinical result blockers or ask technicians to solve cashier blockers. Use the visible queue to route work to the right team.