A major problem encountered in private pathology practice is that a single request is often accompanied by a multiplicity of specimens. These are processed in separate departments and generate multiple reports which often appear unrelated. We have overcome this problem by collating all the results in a single cohesive report by electronic data processing. At the time of request and specimen invoicing a laboratory work sheet is computer printed for each specimen or subspecimen. This work sheet contains full clinical details, these having been previously entered via visual display units (V.D.U's). Result data entry (random access) is on-line equipment, e.g. the SMAC, by V.D.U's, or by machine readable cards. Hardware includes an IBM 3/15 and a DEC 11/70 each with 88 Mbytes disc storage and two line printers (465 and 300 l.p.m.). A single report is printed for each patient on a daily basis. It contains all laboratory data presently entered. Abnormal results are flagged and summarized on the top of the report. The pathologist's interpretative comments are then added to the report. The report indicates if it is ‘final’ or if more results are to follow, e.g. bacterial cultures. The final report to the referring doctor contains full surgery and patient identification, the clinical data provided, plus all specimen requests with full results and clinical interpretation. This not only improves clinical correlation but simplifies result filing. Potential advantages to the laboratory include greatly reduced data handling, quality control analysis programmes, comparative workload inventories and automated accounting.