Use of Chernoff faces to follow trends in laboratory data.

Graphical representation of laboratory data speeds up recognition of abnormalities. The Chernoff face is an excellent tool to represent patient data; the human eye and mind are exquisitely sensitive to subtle changes in facial appearances and expression. One of the best uses of the faces is in illustrating trends in the data, particularly in acutely ill patients where many laboratory studies are performed. The faces are especially useful if comparisons to a former or normal state are made. A very brief examination of adjacent faces suffices to identify changes in laboratory data.