[Progress of the laboratory supporting system of the ordering system]

University hospitals and large public hospitals introduced a first-generation ordering system, which mainly involved an integrated system developed by each institution. This type of system considerably improved the efficiency of hospital jobs, but clinically increased the burden of data-input handling of hospital staffs because the software used was unique to the respective unit. Later, the development of both network technology and package software for the ordering system allowed construction of an easy, low-cost and high-performance ordering system. Most of the recent ordering systems are a type of distributed system which is referred to as a client-server system. In this system the terminal was replaced by personal computer loaded with widely distributed Windows OS, resulting in better performance of multi-tasks. In February 1998, our hospital information system was changed from an intensive host-type to a client-server system, in which the laboratory ordering system was also reconstructed. The laboratory ordering system mainly utilizes EG Main for Windows, package software by Fujitsu Co. Ltd., and has reduced the handling of laboratory ordering jobs with Graphical User Interface and better construction of screen images. In addition to extra-laboratory tests, ordering into this system allowed the database of all the laboratory tests ordered in our hospital to be unified. The previous laboratory ordering system supported laboratory data, especially those of laboratory tests and samples conducted within the last 10 years, and the new system will also provide this function. The new laboratory ordering system is further expected to support reference image-data from physiological tests as well as to allow consultation concerning laboratory test data. These clinical job-supporting systems will likely lead to further progress of the total laboratory system.