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Implementing a Laboratory Computer System: A Case History
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1974
Year
EngineeringDiagnosisSoftware EngineeringPdp-12 Computer SystemMedical InstrumentationLaboratory Computer SystemVenipuncture ListsClinical SystemDigital HealthSystems EngineeringLaboratory ManagementLaboratory MedicineLaboratory MethodMedical Laboratory ScienceLiving LabCumulative Patient SummariesComputer EngineeringComputer ScienceLaboratory AutomationSoftware DesignMedical Laboratory TechnicianSoftware TestingDiagnostic SystemBiomedical InstrumentationMedicineSystem SoftwareHealth Informatics
To overcome current problems in reporting large numbers of laboratory results in a coherent manner, this hospital has installed a PDP-12 computer system. This instrument is free-standing, dedicated only to laboratory use, and is a “turnkey” operation. All reports, including cumulative patient summaries, billing reports, worklists, specimen labels, venipuncture lists, etc., are obtained from the computer. Communication with the computer is in English-language conversational mode. In this article the computer system is described and evaluated. The work-flow is diagrammed and a new type of requisition is presented. Information is provided for selecting the size and characteristics of a computer system for a laboratory. The considerable difficulties inherent in the successful establishment of such a system and its costs in a laboratory are discussed.