Upgrading Middleware Validations Plan (RALS)

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What type of validation plan does everyone's healthcare system follow regarding a middleware upgrade? For example, we use RALS and EPIC. We are upgrading to RALS Version 8.6.1 from version 7.1.2 and interested in seeing what other systems have done for validations. I understand ultimately that the CLIA director has final approval but I would like to provide ideas to him on what other systems are doing. Thanks so much in advance!

3 Replies

Angie Yost

Thu Dec 11, 2025 at 6:48AM

We also have RALS and Epic. When we're just upgrading within the same system (one version of RALS to another) we do screen shots for every test from both RALS and Epic to verify that all results are crossing as expected. This is usually a combination of actual and fake patients to cover everything. We then have our director sign a cover sheet describing the upgrade and results. Here is an example of the language we use:

On May 20, 2025 the RALS interface was upgraded from version 8.1.1 to version 8.5.2. This new version involved minor changes to the user interface but did not change the way data was stored or transmitted.
Results were monitored in real time on the day of the upgrade to ensure that patient test results were received from each device type and were transmitted accurately to the patient’s electronic health record (Epic). Devices which did not perform tests on 5/20 were monitored on subsequent days until transmission could be verified.
The new version performed as expected and is acceptable for continued use in the management of patient results.

David Shafer

Thu Dec 11, 2025 at 8:35AM

Thanks for sharing this information. I am also seeing an increase in the interest of looking at complete cloud-based middleware, (no more on-site servers needed, minimal I.T. support needed, and access to AI tools for results and compliance metrics reporting.) Definitely what the future will be bringing.

Adelina Wright

Thu Dec 11, 2025 at 9:03AM

Hi Kristy, we also have RALS and Epic. We typically perform a test patient on each type of device we have connected in RALS. We will take screenshots from both RALS and Epic and submit that to our medical director for approval.

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Topic	Replies	Likes	Views	Participants	Last Reply
Upgrading Middleware Validations Plan (RALS) Kristy Saunders about 21 hours ago	3	1	268		Adelina Wright about 4 hours ago
Humidity Monitoring Jennifer Gagne 3 days ago	10	0	512	+ 4 more	Kathleen David 1 day ago
DTM IQCP Amy Mark 3 days ago	2	0	179		Amy Mark 1 day ago

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Upgrading Middleware Validations Plan (RALS)