On-line computing in diagnostic microbiology

Abstract

Diagnostic microbiology laboratories encounter many problems in the manual information processing that is traditionally practised and this laboratory, serving a 900 bed hospital and producing 1,200 reports/wk, is no exception. Problems include high clerical overhead, data transcription errors, lack of quality control and difficulty of data retrieval and analysis. A computer solution based on a 360/50 computer is being attempted which represents an advance on previous Australian systems. Laboratory data is recorded on coded specimen-specific work sheets, and is entered through and immediately verified by an on-line visual display terminal. Cumulative reports are printed which form a synoptic record in the patient's file. All data are stored for 6 mth on magnetic disc and is maintained on-line. Selected data are then transferred to magnetic tape for a permanent record. Future developments planned are machine readable laboratory data input, data retrieval through visual display terminals or a dedicated printer, and the generation of epidemiological statistics.