Computer-based diagnostic reporting for serum electrolytes

Desk-top computers equipped with 16K memory and programmed in BASIC can be used to produce interpretive reports of selected laboratory data by the assignment of a numerical code. A tetral algorithm is programmed in a three-dimensional matrix, charted by columns designating specific diagnostic considerations for serum electrolyte abnormalities (an adaptation of Dito's coding procedure for protein electrophoresis). The code consists of the numbers 4 (high), 2 (normal), and 1 (low), with no basis for borderline abnormal results. The program is easily updated with additions of diagnostic considerations (column headings) or with additional codes corresponding to such conditions (code listings under column headings). Diagnostic reports can be easily produced by the use of a tractor-feed printer or similarly interfaced printing equipment for use on the patient chart, and file copies are easily generated by a "rerun" loop incorporated into the software.