Fasting lipid panel, renal function panel (eGFR), and spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). 3. Hyperlipidemia
Chest X-ray (CXR) to exclude alternative diagnoses (e.g., lung cancer, bullous disease).
Chest X-ray (PA and Lateral) to exclude alternative diagnoses (e.g., heart failure, malignancy).
Order laboratory and imaging studies sequentially based on pre-test probability to avoid over-testing and incidental findings. 3. Disease-Specific Diagnostic Pathways 1. Essential Hypertension sop for diagnosis of top 20 common diseases updated
Postprandial, episodic right upper quadrant (RUQ) or epigastric pain radiating to the right scapula (biliary colic). For acute cholecystitis: constant RUQ pain, fever, leukocytosis, and a positive Murphy's sign.
Inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) and rheumatoid factor are characteristically normal or negative; used strictly to rule out inflammatory arthropathies.
All clinicians must document the diagnostic rationale clearly within the patient's record, including: Fasting lipid panel, renal function panel (eGFR), and
Asymptomatic or presenting with occipital headaches, dizziness, or epistaxis. Diagnostic Thresholds: Office blood pressure (BP)
Acute onset of severe, colicky flank pain radiating to the groin or labia/testicles, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dysuria, and macroscopic or microscopic hematuria.
H. pylori urea breath test or stool antigen test. Avoid blood antibody tests (low accuracy). 6. Musculoskeletal & Neurological 14. Osteoarthritis Chest X-ray (PA and Lateral) to exclude alternative
(For brevity, the remaining 12 conditions follow the same rigorous structure in clinical practice: each is systematically assessed based on current global guidelines for symptoms, diagnostic criteria, testing, differentials, and red flags. All are included in comprehensive resources like the latest Ferri's Clinical Advisor, which updates over 1,000 common conditions annually.)
mL from baseline 15 minutes after inhaling a short-acting beta2-agonist. Alternatively, a diurnal PEF variability Baseline and post-bronchodilator spirometry.
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) defines the mandatory diagnostic workflows for the 20 most frequently encountered diseases in primary and secondary healthcare settings. It standardizes clinical assessment, laboratory testing, imaging protocols, and diagnostic criteria to minimize diagnostic errors, optimize resource utilization, and accelerate patient access to targeted therapies. This document applies to all outpatient clinics, emergency departments, and internal medicine wards. 2. Regulatory & Quality Compliance