out-of-range result
Screening result that falls outside established reference ranges, triggering follow-up evaluation or repeat testing.
Full Definition
An out-of-range result is a newborn screening finding where the measured analyte concentration falls above or below the predetermined reference intervals for the specific test and patient age. These results may indicate the presence of a screened condition but require further evaluation through repeat testing, confirmatory analysis, or clinical assessment to determine clinical significance. Not all out-of-range results represent true disease, as biological variation and analytical factors can contribute to values outside normal ranges.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier; prefer over 'abnormal' in screening contexts.
In Context
- "The laboratory reported an out-of-range result requiring immediate physician notification." — Laboratory report
- "Monthly statistics showed a 2.1% rate of out-of-range results across all screening tests." — Quality metrics report