Method and system for representation of current and historical medical data

1. A medical device, comprising:

an input interface for receiving current result data of medical tests performed on a patient;

a processor; and

memory having stored therein instructions executable by the processor to perform functions of:

creating an output of the current result data of the medical tests in a layout having rows and columns;

retrieving from the memory stored previous result data of medical tests performed on the same patient;

providing the stored previous result data of the medical tests performed on the patient in the layout in a separate column adjacent to margin space of the layout, so that the previous result data and the current result data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout;

providing a numerical range of reference data pertaining to each medical test in the layout in a column between the current result data and the previous result data so that the previous result data, the current result data, and the numerical range of reference data of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout, wherein the numerical range of reference data defines values for results of the medical test pertaining to a low and a high result with respect to known results for a patient; and

outputting the layout to a graphic user interface,

wherein the medical tests are selected from a group of tests relevant to kidney or liver function.

2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising:

identifying instances in which a current result of the medical test is abnormal and at least one previous result exists for the medical test; and

providing in the layout data points including the abnormal current result and the at least one previous result.

3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising:

indicating a type of instrument used to perform each medical test; and

indicating within each row of result data in separate columns the following information: a type of test performed, the current result data, the previous result data, the numerical range of reference data that defines values for results of the medical test pertaining to the low and the high result, and a graphical indicator that indicates whether the current result data of the medical test is low, normal or high.

4. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising:

providing a graphical indicator for each medical test that indicates whether the current result data of the medical test is low, normal or high, wherein the graphical indicator is a slidebar that illustrates a measurement value for the medical test, wherein the graphical indicator is output in the layout in a column between the current result data and the previous result data so that the previous result data, the current result data and the graphical indicator of the same medical test are in the same row in the layout.

5. The medical device of claim 4 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising also outputting on the graphical indicator for each medical test whether the previous results of the medical test have been low, normal or high.

6. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising providing a textual indicator that indicates whether the current result data is out of the numerical range of reference data.

7. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising transmitting the layout to a remote location.

8. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the function of outputting the previous result data of the medical tests performed on the patient in the layout, so that the previous result data and the current result data of the medical tests are associated comprises outputting a printed document.

9. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the function of outputting the previous result data of the medical tests performed on the patient in the layout, so that the previous result data and the current result data of the medical tests are associated comprises outputting the layout on a computer display.

10. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising if a current or previous result data of a medical test is abnormal, outputting data pertaining to the current or previous result data in a color different from normal results.

11. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical tests are selected from the group of tests consisting of alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) tests, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) tests, aspirate aminotransferase (AST) tests, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) tests and creatinine (CREA) tests.

12. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the medical tests comprise alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) tests, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) tests, aspirate aminotransferase (AST) tests, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) tests and creatinine (CREA) tests.

13. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the layout is of a form selected from the group consisting of a bar graph, a line graph, and a pie graph.

14. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the layout is in a form of a table structure with data in a given column corresponding to results collected on the same day, and data within a given row corresponding to results collected from the same medical test.

15. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising providing in the layout a graph including illustrations indicating both the current result data and the previous result data.

16. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to perform the functions comprising:

determining if the current result data of the medical test is abnormal;

determining that at least two previous result data points exist for the same medical test; and

providing in the layout a graph including illustrations indicating both the current result data and the previous result data.

17. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the numerical range of reference data is determined by collecting data from medical tests performed on a number of patients.