Panel classifications

When you're deciding what belongs on a panel, raw rates aren't enough — you need a defensible rule that accounts for both how common an organism is and how solid the evidence is. PrevIQ applies one consistent rule to produce three buckets.

The three buckets

• INCLUDE — Clinically actionable — strong enough to put on the panel.
• WATCH — Present but lower — monitor it; revisit as more data arrives.
• RARE — Too uncommon or too little data to justify inclusion.

The exact rule

Classification depends on the prevalence rate and whether the sample is reportable (Tier A or B):

Classification	Condition
INCLUDE	rate ≥ 5% and Tier A/B (n ≥ 30)
WATCH	rate ≥ 1% and Tier A/B (n ≥ 30)
RARE	everything else — including all Tier C, regardless of rate

Important

Sample size overrides rate. A Tier C organism (n < 30) is always RARE, even at a 100% apparent rate, because the sample is too small to support a clinical call. This is what keeps panel recommendations defensible.

Decision flow

1. Is the sample reportable (Tier A/B)?

   No → RARE. Yes → continue.

2. Is the rate ≥ 5%?

   Yes → INCLUDE. No → continue.

3. Is the rate ≥ 1%?

   Yes → WATCH. No → RARE.

Worked examples

Organism	Rate	n	Tier	Result	Why
Organism A	12.0%	540	A	INCLUDE	Reportable and ≥ 5%.
Organism B	2.3%	210	A	WATCH	Reportable, between 1% and 5%.
Organism C	0.4%	180	A	RARE	Reportable but below 1%.
Organism D	40.0%	12	C	RARE	High rate, but n < 30 — not reportable.
Organism E	8.0%	65	B	INCLUDE	Reportable (Tier B) and ≥ 5%.

Where you'll see this

• On the Reports page, the panel recommendation view lists every organism in a syndrome with its bucket, plus a header count of INCLUDE / WATCH / RARE.
• Via the API at /reports/panel-recommendation.

Tip

The 5% and 1% thresholds are OSPRI's standard panel-design cut points. If a specific engagement needs different thresholds, talk to your OSPRI contact — don't eyeball it from raw rates.

• Next: syndromes & panels — The taxonomy that organizes everything.