How to Use Indications & Findings in Sonio

Before you start

• Indications and Findings are two separate sections in the report, each with its own search bar.
• You need report-edit permission to add or change items in either section.

How it works

Indications vs Findings. These are two distinct report sections.

• Indications are the coded reason(s) for the exam. At least one is mandatory: you cannot submit or sign without one. Indications are coded (they carry ICD-10 codes), not free text.
• Findings are what was observed. Findings are not mandatory. Unlike indications, Findings allow a free-text path (custom findings or impressions) alongside coded items.

Coding suggestions are generated from your report inputs (especially Indications, and in some configurations Findings), plus the exam type/method. Use Sync with report to refresh suggested codes.

The search bar (both sections). Type at least 3 characters into the search box. Results are tagged by source: IMO, Favorites, Most used, and Previous exams. Select an item to add it, and add a Comment to any row if you need to note specifics.

The trimester filter. A dropdown offers Any trimester / 1st trimester / 2nd trimester / 3rd trimester. It auto-selects the patient's current trimester from the assigned dating (computed from the GA or EDD in the Dating table: under 14 weeks is 1st, under 28 weeks is 2nd, otherwise 3rd). If GA is not set, it defaults to Any trimester. You can override the selection. On multifetal exams, a fetus filter ("Mother and fetuses" / "Fetus N") is also available.

Carry-forward within the episode. Indications and findings carry forward within the same pregnancy episode (this does not apply to standalone exams). Prior items appear under a Previous exams block. Carried items are re-coded to the current exam's GA so the trimester stays current. Items flagged as "suspected", "not found", or "screening" are suggested but not pre-checked.

The link to Coding. The Coding section holds Diagnoses (ICD-10) and Procedures (CPT). Indications (and findings) feed the suggested Diagnoses. Sync with report rebuilds the codes in the order Indications > Findings > Manually added. CPT codes come from the exam type and method (configured per account), not from the indication directly. Where enabled, coding section content is mandatory.

Step-by-step: Add an indication or finding

1. Open the Indications or Findings section of the report.
2. Check the trimester filter and confirm it matches the patient (override it if needed).
3. Type at least 3 characters into the search box.
4. Review the results and their source tags (IMO, Favorites, Most used, Previous exams).
5. Select the item you want to add.
6. Add a Comment to the row if you need to capture specifics.
7. Confirm the item now appears in the section.

Common questions / troubleshooting

What is the difference between an indication and a finding?

An indication is the coded reason for the exam and is mandatory (you need at least one to submit or sign). A finding is what you observed, is not mandatory, and can include free-text custom items.

I can't find my indication. What do I do?

Indications are not free text, so they will not appear if they are not in the coded list. Pick the nearest coded concept and add a Comment.

Do indications and findings carry forward?

Yes, within the same pregnancy episode. Prior items show under the Previous exams block, and you add them with Add selected. Carried items are re-coded to the current exam's GA. Carry-forward does not apply to standalone exams.

How do indications relate to coding?

Indications feed the suggested Diagnoses (ICD-10) in the Coding section. Sync with report rebuilds codes in the order Indications > Findings > Manually added. CPT Procedures come from the exam type and method, not from the indication directly.