Automated analysis with computerized information transfer in a university hospital

The organization of a central clinical chemistry laboratory of a university hospital, which in 1992 analyzed 880,000 results, is presented. Automation with midsize selective analyzers, which run in parallel and are able to do positive sample identification on the primary bar-coded tubes, in connection with a laboratory computer system and a central hospital computer allowed for reliable and timely obtainment of results. The output of the results is made on laser printers in the medical wards, thus alleviating the pneumatic sample transport systems. Assessment of the turnaround time show that it can be kept below one hour. Such a setup without sorting out emergency demands allows a simplified sample flow. Thus, there is no need for a laboratory to make "stat" requests.