Automated production of an on-line laboratory reference manual from a laboratory information system

Laboratories provide information beyond test results, including information related to patient preparation, specimen collection and handling, test methodology, test availability, and interpretation of results. Most laboratories publish reference manuals to distribute this information to clients, while relying on the laboratory information system to provide this information to laboratory staff. Maintaining duplicate sources of information is expensive and error-prone, and printed materials become rapidly outdated. We developed a process to automate the production of a web-based reference manual directly from the laboratory information system, using a combination of MUMPS programs and HTML templates. We now focus our resources to assure that the laboratory information system database is accurate and complete, and then with minimal additional effort or expense produce an up-to-date on-line reference manual. We are therefore able to provide better sources of information in a sustainable manner.