Computerized data processing in the clinical laboratory

In order to satisfy the increasing demand for clinical chemical investigations, automatization is necessary. Computerized data processing facilitates administrative work. There are well-known fully automatized computerized systems, but they are too expensive. This paper presents our experiences with a 'hybrid' system, in which manual laboratory work is combined with computerized production of the daily list of laboratory work. The manpower needed had been decreased to one quarter, the work time from 126 minutes to 97 minutes, and the occurrence of errors from 0.72% to 0.21%. The system can be developed to produce laboratory reports, and for the continuous monitoring of data. In the case of pathological values the reports can be supplied with a warning signal and the system is suitable for the registration of laboratory statistics.