From data to information: how to define the context?

In medical decision making, the action taken depends on two interrelated factors: (1) the data collected or measured, and (2) the context to which these data apply. Context is defined as the patient-specific data and the physicianʹs hypothesis to be tested concerning the patientsʹ medical problem. The better the data fit the context the greater their involvement and impact on the decision to take medical action. This leads to the concept of context-fit values (CFVs) for laboratory data. Depending on the reason for which testing is being requested (monitoring, screening, or diagnosis), this concept enables the supplier of data, with the cooperation of the requestor, to analyze how well the data fit in the context frame of the decision maker. This preliminary context evaluation allows the laboratory to evaluate the possible contribution the data can provide to the decision maker prior to any medical action being taken. If the calculation of the context-fit value suggests that the data does not fit the context frame, then the laboratory can choose not to report the data and then pursue pre-analytic or analytic sources of error. This will help to avoid reporting of erroneous results which could lead to unneeded and costly additional testing or, worse, unnecessary or harmful medical action to the patient.