What are algorithms and workflows

An algorithm is the logic for processing a patient visit; a workflow is a visit that is currently being processed by an algorithm.

Algorithms are defined by network leadership and implemented in HAWS by Frontier Science. Users cannot create new algorithms, nor can they modify existing algorithms. An algorithm may define such things as what assays need to be run for certain specimen types. For example, if a visit included a blood specimen, the algorithm would define what assay(s) needs to be run for that specimen. Depending on the results of the assay, the algorithm may define additional tests. This might happen, for example, if a specimen tested positive and a second test is needed to confirm the positive result.

A workflow is an instance of an algorithm. When a user selects a visit to process in HAWS, they select the algorithm to use and the workflow is created. Thus you can create several workflows using the same algorithm.

Figure: Example algorithm and workflows based on it. An example algorithm (left) and workflows for patient visits using the logic from the algorithm (right).


This image shows a very basic algorithm as a flowchart on the left and a list of workflows on the right. It shows that multiple workflows can be created using the same algorithms

While a workflow is active, HAWS will guide you to the text step in the algorithm's logic automatically. Using the example, if a workflow orders a test and the result is a positive, HAWS will automatically determine if this was the first positive for the workflow and, if yes, automatically reassign the assay to be run again.