Abstract
Abstract Context.—Failure of a clinical laboratory computer system can disrupt work flow and charge capture and affect patient care. The first comprehensive survey of computer downtime was conducted in 1995 and demonstrated significant interinstitutional variation in system availability. Despite numerous changes in the laboratory and computer industries since 1995, no follow-up study has been reported. Objectives.—To quantify current laboratory computer availability and compare it with 1995 performance. Design.—Ninety-seven laboratories prospectively recorded the frequency and duration of computer downtime during 30 days in 2001. Results were compared with 1995 survey data. Results.—For the median facility, the number of downtime episodes decreased from 8 events per 30 days during 1995 to 3 events per 30 days during 2001 (P < .01). The frequency of unscheduled downtime also improved, from a median of 2 to 0.5 events per 30 days (P < .01). Reduced downtime events were paralleled by reduced cumulative downt...
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