Sentinel represents case definitions as configured criteria evaluated against evidence stored on a case. Definitions are associated with diseases and can include laboratory, clinical and other supported investigation criteria.
The configuration workflow separates drafting, criteria construction, review and activation. Laboratory criteria refer to configured biomarkers or pathogens, results, specimen types and test methods.
Classification functions include:
- Evaluating case evidence against configured definitions.
- Selecting automatic classification or a review-based workflow.
- Retaining evaluation and classification history.
- Recording manual overrides and their reasons.
Disease hierarchies allow later evidence to contribute to a more specific classification. A later serovar, genotype or other defining laboratory result can refine an existing classification when the configured criteria are satisfied. Definitions for a subtype should include the required underlying evidence as well as subtype-specific criteria.
Overlapping definitions, multiplex results and different result-arrival sequences require deliberate testing. A classification records the outcome of the configured rules; its interpretation remains dependent on the evidence and the definition used.