NextGen Knowledge Center

Define an AOE Question

  1. Select File Maintenance > Master Files > System > Order AOE Questions.
  2. Select Open Menu and select New.
    The Order AOE Questions dialog box opens.
  3. Select the drop-down list and select a performing entity (lab or radiology) system for this question.

  4. Enter the order test value Code specific to the performing system being used.
    These codes are sent to the user by the performing entity and are different for each performing entity's list of tests.
  5. Select the drop-down arrow to select a Source Type. Select the desired value to select one.
    • Free Text. The user can enter any value.
    • List. The user must make a selection from a pre-defined AOE Answers list.
    • Template. NextGen software picks up the value in the selected template field.
    If you select "list" it brings up the list of defined AOE Answers that you created for your database using File Maintenance. This can be a question to make it clear to the user what value needs to be entered. For example: "Did the patient fast?"
    If you select "string" it brings up the list of available templates in your database. Select the one that contains the field that holds the desired data value needed for this test (such as Weight or Height).

  6. Select a NextGen Data Type.
    The available options are:
    • Numeric
    • Date
    • Date/Time
    • String
    • Time
    • Boolean
    • Integer
  7. Enter a Description.
    This should easily identify what the question is about, for example, Fasting, Weight, Race, etc.
  8. Enter a Native Data Type.
    Some possible values are CE, TX and NM. The testing entity provides legal values for their test requirements.
  9. Enter the Units answer.
    These are the legal answers, for example "N^Y" for fasting, or 1^2^3^4^5^9 for Race, or A^B^C^H^I^O for race, or U^V^F for sample collection information. The lab provided legal answer values for their test answer requirements. The units can also be a value for measurements such as inches or pounds.

  10. Select the Ask Question Once check box.
    If a group of lab orders all ask the fasting question, when you order the lab group, you are only required to answer the question once. You should check this box when they only want this question answered once even when more than one test asks this question.
  11. Select the Answer Required check box if the answer is required.
    When the order is submitted, if the question has not been answered, you get a prompt to answer it. This question displays with a globe by the question on the Test Details tab of a test order.
  12. Select OK to save the AOE question.