Test Data Management Research Articles

“Value-added” reporting in clinical microbiology: Using computer-based textual reports and comments as an aid to communicating appropriate utilization and application of test results

It has become increasingly important for clinical laboratory scientists in general, and clinical microbiologists specifically, to assess the impact of pre- and post-analytical factors on the medical value of the laboratory tests. However, laboratorians traditionally feel most comfortable with the scientific and technical aspects of diagnostic assays and instruments — the so-called analytical component of laboratory testing. They have been specifically trained in making critical observations, analyzing comparative test data, assessing overall test efficiency, and based on these criteria, making recommendations about the best test method. While a thorough evaluation of such analytical and technical components of testing is necessary, it is not sufficient to ensure that the test will be ordered when appropriate and its intended use and limitations understood and applied by the clinician. As an aid to management of test utilization, clinical microbiologists must become thoroughly familiar with the processes involved in specimen and test information and data management in their own clinical settings. These processes relate not only to ordering of tests and transmitting the order to the laboratory but also to communicating the end product — the information included in laboratory reports. Today's clinical and laboratory information systems generally provide great flexibility in how laboratory tests are formatted on computer order screens on hospital units and in how laboratory test reports are displaced and appended electronically and in print form. Informative comments and textual reports are particularly valuable to aid the clinician in patient care, because they augment and clarify simple culture results, as well as positive-negative, semiquantitative, and numerical data.

Testing Data Management by “The Zone Verification Method on Results Distribution”

As automation of clinical testing advances, quality has come to be required of clinical testing systems. CLINIEEL (Clinical Expert Engine Library), the zone verification method on results distribution, which was developed through the experience of Laboratory Automation System (LAS) and Laboratory Information System (LIS), is a real testing result verification system A&T produces as a system integrator. This is not as an extension of an operational processing system but the core of Total Automation System. Furthermore, as the step toward testing support and diagnosis-support system, CLINIEEL supports clinical testing with excellent quality. The zone verification method on results distribution is a new verification method which was developed by cooperation of A&T and Masashi Chiba, Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital. Its purpose lies in reduction of over re-testing. Over re-testing means needless retests. The re-testing rate of the conventional method is so high that it is of no use. Potential for diagnosis-support tends to be stressed, but it is important in the first place, to steadily get clean data. On the condition that testing values are reliable, diagnosis-support becomes possible. Therefore, the zone verification method can be said to be testing support.

Testing Data Management by “The Zone Verification Method on Results Distribution”

Testing Data Management by “The Zone Verification Method on Results Distribution”

Manufacturing Quality Control and Certification of Geotextiles

Accurate reporting of characteristic geotextile properties in brochures, certifications, or trade journals requires a comprehensive quality control and certification program which includes systematic sampling and testing as well as proper management of test data and a knowledge of the required level of confidence required by the user. If any of these elements are missing, then the reported properties will be cloaked with uncertainty at best and, at worst, may be false and misleading. Therefore, to ensure accuracy, users must request a specific confidence level when requesting “minimum” values. In addition, manufacturers must establish a comprehensive database developed from a systematic sampling and testing program to ensure correct documentation of the characteristic properties of their products. This paper presents a comprehensive manufacturing quality control and certification protocol for geotextiles which, if followed by all manufacturers of geotextiles, would ensure statistical accuracy and uniformity in the reporting of the characteristic properties of geotextiles. Additionally, guidance is given to geotextile specifiers for the proper definition of “minimum”, so that geotextiles can be supplied which provide the desired level of confidence required by the specifier.

Strategies toward the development of an expert system for sensory evaluation testing and database management

This paper presents design, knowledge representation, and implementation strategies aimed at the development of a knowledge system to guide and assist the sensory scientist in selection and implementation of appropriate test methods, statistical/graphical analyses, panel training, and data management. Particular emphasis is placed on how such a system can be used for panel management activities, such as screening/selecting panelists and performance monitoring. The system was designed with the capability of providing individualized graphic feedback during panel training sessions on discrimination and descriptive tasks. The prototype was built on a Macintosh computer using the Goldworks II expert system shell. Other software was interfaced and interacts with the system to provide statistical, graphical, and database support.

Reducing the cost of quality through test data management

One of the best ways to improve the productivity of a manufacturing operation is through a systematic approach to quality management. This approach emphasizes fault prevention rather than fault detection. By shifting to a prevention-oriented view of quality management, the costs associated with providing a quality product are reduced. This paper evaluates the factors that influence the cost of quality, identifies the major areas that provide the leverage of improvement, and illustrates how better management of test data translates into measurable improvement in process quality, resulting in lower cost-of-goods-sold.

R and M test data collection and management: John E. Byers, Douglas E. Leach and Dean P. Westerman. 1981 Proceedings Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, p. 144 (27–29 January 1981)

R and M test data collection and management: John E. Byers, Douglas E. Leach and Dean P. Westerman. 1981 Proceedings Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, p. 144 (27–29 January 1981)