Graphically based method for developing rules for managing a laboratory workflow

1. A non-transitory computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for graphically creating a rule for defining a workflow in a laboratory management system, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:

generate a first node within a graphical diagram in response to user input, wherein the first node represents an action or condition, wherein the graphical diagram represents the rule, and wherein each node within the graphical diagram assists in creating the rule;

define an action or condition within the first node; and

display a node condition/action window adjacent the graphical diagram, wherein the node condition/action window displays program code for executing the action or condition represented by the first node, and wherein the program code displays the defined action or condition within the first node, wherein the rule is related to a sample or a result from testing a sample in a laboratory, wherein information regarding the sample or the result is communicated to the laboratory management system, wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor to graphically provide a user with a list of parameters and a list of operators for defining the action or condition of the first node.

2. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to convert the graphical diagram into a computer program through which the rule operates.

3. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 , wherein the program code for executing the action or condition represented by the first node is generated upon generating the first node.

4. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 , wherein the rule is an accessioning rule, a result evaluation rule, or an instrument exception rule.

5. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to generate a second node within the graphical diagram in response to user input, wherein the second node is connected with the first node, and wherein the second node represents an action or condition.

6. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 , wherein the laboratory management system is a lab information system, a Process Development Execution System, a Laboratory Information Management System, or a Laboratory Integration Management Solution.

7. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to simulate operation of the rule.

8. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to display the graphical diagram.

9. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 , further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to provide a user with a list of parameters and a list of operators for defining the action or condition of the first node.

10. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 , further comprising program instructions executable by a processor to determine whether the rule is fully defined or created.

11. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 , further comprising a second node, wherein the first node defines an action using a trigger and the second node defines a condition, and wherein upon receiving the trigger the action defined within the first node is performed if the condition defined within the second node is met.

12. The non-transitory computer readable memory medium of claim 1 , wherein the specific entity in the laboratory management system includes, a specific test, a specific user, a specific ordering, a specific instrument, or a specific instrument type.

13. A method for graphically creating a rule for defining a workflow in a laboratory management system, comprising:

generating a first node within a graphical diagram in response to user input, wherein the graphical diagram represents the rule, and wherein each node within the graphical diagram assists in creating the rule;

inputting an action or condition into a computer readable memory medium associated with the first node;

converting the graphical diagram into a computer program through which the rule operates, wherein the rule is related to a sample or a result from testing a sample in a laboratory, wherein information regarding the sample or the result is communicated to the laboratory management system; and

providing a user with a list of parameters and a list of operators for defining the action or condition of the first node.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the inputting of the action or condition requires selecting at least one of a parameter or an operator from a list of parameters or a list of operators.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying a node condition/action window adjacent the graphical diagram, wherein the node condition/action window displays program code for executing the action or condition represented by the first node.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the program code for executing the action or condition represented by the first node is generated upon generating the first node.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the rule is an accessioning rule, a result evaluation rule, or an instrument exception rule.

18. A laboratory management system comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable memory medium; and at least one processor operable to access from the non-transitory computer readable memory medium program instructions executable by the processor to:

generate a first node within a graphical diagram in response to user input, wherein the graphical diagram represents the rule, and wherein each node within the graphical diagram assists in creating the rule;

receive an action or condition into the non-transitory computer readable memory medium associated with the first node; and

convert the graphical diagram into a computer program through which the rule operates, wherein the rule is related to a sample or a result from testing a sample in a laboratory, wherein information regarding the sample or the result is communicated to the laboratory management system, wherein the program instructions are executable by the processor to graphically provide a user with a list of parameters and a list of operators for defining the action or condition of the first node.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the processor is operable to access from the non-transitory computer readable memory medium program instructions executable by the processor to provide a user with a list of parameters or a list of operators upon receiving the action or condition.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the processor is operable to access from the non-transitory computer readable memory medium program instructions executable by the processor to display a node condition/action window adjacent the graphical diagram, wherein the node condition/action window displays program code for executing the action or condition represented by the first node.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the program code for executing the action or condition represented by the first node is generated upon generating the first node.

22. The system of claim 18 , wherein the rule is an accessioning rule, a result evaluation rule, or an instrument exception rule.

23. The system of claim 18 , wherein the processor is operable to access from the non-transitory computer readable memory medium program instructions executable by the processor to simulate operation of the rule.