- Email: [email protected]
Results of the survey of microbiology laboratory computer systems
References
system. J. Clin. Microbiol. 10:861-875. 3. Peebles, J. E., and K. J. Ryan. 1980. A microbiology information system, pp. 534-538. In J. T. O'Neill (ed.), Proceedings: The Fourth Annual Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care. IEEE Computer Society, Long Beach, Calif.
1. Kunz, L. J., el al. 1975. The role of the computer in microbiology. In J. E. Prier, J. Bartola, and H. Friedman (eds.), Modern methods in medical microbiology. University Park Press, Baltimore. 2. Lawrie, J. D., et al. 1979. Microbiology subsystem of a total, dedicated laboratory computer
4. Ryan, K. J., and J. E. Peebles. 1981
On-line computer entry of routine and AutoMicrobic System bacteriology results. In Proceedings: Third International Symposium on Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. In Press.
Results of the Survey of Microbiology Laboratory Computer Systems There were 194 responses to this recent survey. O f those laboratorians who responded, 91 either have no microbiology system or are about to implement one but provided no further information. O f the remaining 103 laboratories, 84 have a system in use, and 19 were sufficiently close to implementing a system to complete the questionnaire. Accordingly, the answers to questions 1 through 5a have been divided into two groups to allow comparison o f the laboratory and hospital type, bed size, and specimen workload o f computerized and noncomputerized laboratories. The answers to the remaining questions (5b-30) apply only to laboratories that have a microbiology computer system or will have one in the very near future. Those o f you about to take the step will be pleased to note that a majority o f laboratory personnel and clinicians have reacted favorably to computerization (question 30). We would like to thank each of you who responded for sharing, the information with your colleagues. Laboratories with computer
No computer
91
85
8 1
3 2
3 (city and hospital; large commercial; Finnish Univ. Central)
1 (dental-clinical)
1. Type of laboratory Hospital Private Public Health Other:
2. If hospital, specify type Community VA or other government Medical school or affiliate Other:
60 4 28 1 (nonprofit)
55 14 12 4 (Catholic; nonprofit; military)
3 43 34 13
21 46 44 4
3. If hospital laboratory, how many beds? < 200 200-499 500-800 >800 4. Status of microbiology laboratory computer Currently in use About to implement a system Currently seeking a system Laboratory computer does not (will not) include microbiology No plans for computerization in laboratory
84 19
4 45
9 27
Other: For billing only (2); Currently seeking, but may not include microbiology (2); Hopefully, in future (2) |1
167
5. Indicate below a) the nm;aber of specimens processed in each laboratory area and b) whether or not the results are reported via the laboratory computer system.
a. Section
Number o f specimens/month
Bacteriology Mycobacteriology Mycology Parasitology Virology Serology/immunology
<200 -t
1 55 57 59 49
4 53 61 56 55
1 17 14 15 6
8 10 5 9 1
7 6 7 2 1
16 2 0 1 0
59 3 4 0 3
39 1 0 0 0
23~t 1 0 0 0
3 0 0 0 0
12 21 21 27 44
21 25 25 25 35
10
29
3
10
12
3
39
10
6§
2**
33
37
200-499 +
1,000-4,999 +
500-999 +
* + = laboratories with con7 ~uter t - = laboratories without computer ~t 5 laboratories process more than 10,000/month § 2 laboratories process more than 10,000/month ** 1 laboratory processes more than 10,000/month
b. Section
Results reported via laboratory computer
Bacteriology Mycobaeteriology Mycology Parasitology Virology Serology/immunology
Yes
No
No answer
87 80 80 74 42 68*
5 9 7 10 16 7
11 14 16 19 45 28
*Three laboratories report only serology, and two report only virology and serology via computer. 6. Is your computer system 18 Part of the hospital system 68 Part of a general laboratory system 16 An independent microbiology laboratory system 7. If your computer system is not part of the hospital system, is it interfaced with the hospital system? 30 Yes
44 No
4 Billing only 24 No answer
8. Type of system 61 " T u r n k e y " system produced by commercial supplier 16 Medlab 11 Community Health Computing (CHC) 8 Datamedix (Spear) 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
Laboratory Consulting, Inc. (LCI) Technicon T & T Meditech Berkeley Scientific Labs (BSL) Honeywell Rubicon Not specified Diversified Numerical Application (DNA) Sunquest CompuData Advanced Medical Systems (AMS) LIST Saturn Computer AG, Switzerland i
168
•
No answer +
+*
9. What computer hardware is used? (list correlates with supplier on left) 15 1 10 1 6 2 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
CDC Cyber Hewlett Packard ModComp Classic Not specified Spear CLAS Not specified DEC PDP-11 series Data General Eclipse Data General Eclipse Not specified Honeywell 1716 DEC PDP-I 1 series DEC PDP-I 1 series DNA-Unilab 1 DEC PDP-I 1 series Data General DEC PDP-I1 series Texas Instruments Point 4 Data Corp Mark 5
5,000-10,000 +
Type of system (continued) 28 Developed by laboratory personnel or in-house
11 3 2 2 2 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1
13 Developed by others 2 IBM LDMS System 2 University o f Alabama 2 Software company (not specified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Computer hardware (continued) IBM DEC (1 VAX) Apple Data General Univac DNA-AVNET CDC Cyber Burroughs Hewlett Packard ICL System 10 Radio Shack Wang Not specified
2 IBM 2 IBM
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
NCR Texas Instruments DEC Not specified DEC DEC PDP-I1 series DEC-VAX 1 IBM 1 Northstar Horizon
Hospital Data Center o f Virginia Microscan MGH Microform Data Regenstrief Systems Programming Vitek Data Center
10. Location of computer 72 "Within or near laboratory 29 Remote from laboratory but within the hospital 2 Outside hospital 11. Do you have access to the computer for entry and inquiry 99 Throughout the workday 2 At specified time periods only 2 No answer 12. Method of entering results (some laboratories checked more than one answer) 97 29 3 3 1
Keyboard Mark sense Keypunch Other: Light pen Interface
13. Are results 26 56 19 1
Batch entered Entered on-line throughout the day Both Free text; 1 No answer
14. Number of input/output devices for microbiology
CRT terminals Hard-copy printers or terminals Card readers
1
2
3-5
>5
30 47 20
15 16 4
27 2
12 2
15. Persons entering results (some laboratories checked more than one answer)
Medical technologists Requisition entry 50 Results entry 88 *Primarily nurses or M.D. on floor
Clerk/data entry specialist 76 27
Other 9* 4
169
16. Is system maintained by 19 48 5 31
Hospital personnel Clinical laboratory personnel Microbiology laboratory personnel Other: Vendor (11); Vendor and laboratory personnel (11); Laboratory data division (5); Consultants (2); Hospital and laboratory personnel (2).
17. Number of persons employed for computer service
Programmer/analyst Administrator/manager Data entry clerks Other: operators, repair technicians, supervisors, nurse coordinator
1
2
24 46 4
10 13 8
3-5 9 9 21
6-10 3 1 14
2
5
8
6
~10 2 10 2
18. Are the results reported to patient floors via 66 2 34 1
Hard copy Displayed on an electronic terminal Both Transmitted to remote areas
19. How often are interim (new data only) reports issued? 26 Once a day. 7 7 a.m.-noon 7 noon-5 p.m. 3 after 5 p.m. 9 no time specified 23 Twice a day 13 7 a.m.-noon; noon-5 p.m. 2 7 a.m.-noon; after 5 p.m. 2 noon-5 p.m.; after 5 p.m. 6 no times specified 45 More than twice a day. 10 Three times a day 2 midnight to 7 a.m.; 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m. 4 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m.; after 5 p.m. 3 three times between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. 1 7 a.m. to noon; twice after 5 p.m. 6 Four times a day 1 3 times before noon; once after 5 p.m. 3 2 times before noon; 2 times after noon 2 1 time before noon; 3 times after noon 3 Five times a day 1 3 times before noon; 2 times after noon 2 2 times before noon; 3 times after noon 1 Six times a day, no times specified 8 Whenever new data entered or completed 5 Continuous 3 Every I or 2 hours 1 On request 8 No times specified
20. How often are cumulative reports issued? 73 Once a day 26 midnight to 7 a.m. 2 7 a.m. to noon 12 noon to 5 p.m. 19 5 p.m. to midnight 14 no times specified 10 Twice a day 1 midnight to 7 a.m.; noon to 5 p.m. 4 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m. 1 7 a.m. to noon; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 noon to 5 p.m.; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 twice between 5 p.m. and midnight 2 no times specified 8 More than twice a day 2 Three times a day 1 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m.; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 midnight to 7 a.m.; twice between noon and 5 p.m. 2 Four times a day 1 midnight to 7 a.m.; twice between noon and 5 p.m.; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m.; twice between 5 p.m. and midnight 1 Six times a day; no times specified 3 Continuous 1 1 1 9
When asked Not done Monthly No answer
9 No answer 21. Does the system utilize graphs such as histograms or line graphs to display portions of results? 16 Yes 81 No 4 Yes, but not in microbiology 2 No answer If yes, specify: Primarily Levy-Jennings charts for quality control; line graphs for cumulative reports. 22. Does the computer system provide interpretative data for clinicians in addition to specific results for a particular patient (e.g., antibiotic dosages or achievable tissue levels from M I C data)? 36 Yes 64 No Other: Printed on hard copy (1); Can enter as free text (1); No answer (1).
What other information is available from the computer system? Check all that apply. 68 80 77 12 53 13 13 13
Antibiotic summary Worklists Workload report Inventory Infection control information Organism identification from biochemical reactions Quality control Overdue test list Other: Master logs; specimen directory; patient directory; positive culture list; review list; turnaround times; status of work in progress; susceptibility profile report; management statistics; list of susceptibilities completed in past 7 days to avoid repeats; significant findings; VD reports; unusual antimicrobial susceptibilities; daily and monthly summaries of culture data; revenue lists; patients from previous day with charges; addresses and telephone numbers of doctor and patient.
24. Are any automated instruments on-line to system? 9 Yes 66 No If yes, specify: Vitek AMS (2); MS-2 (in progress) (1); Not specified (6). 27 Yes, but not in microbiology 25. Is there a result verification function in the system? 74 Yes 24 No 1 Yes, but not in microbiology; 4 No answer 26. Are unusual results automatically flagged by the computer? 44 Yes 46 No 11 Yes, but not in microbiology 2 No answer If yes, specify: High and low values; panic values; numerical values only; unusual antimicrobial susceptibilities; user defined; bacterial counts > l0 S per gram; unusual organisms flagged with lists of appropriate tests to perform; coding errors; high titers; abnormal positive results. 27. List any other capabilities or functions of your computer system Word processing; special reports for specific patients; used primarily for data storage; graphics; Pascal and Fortran languages; updating preliminary reports with final reports; extensive laboratory management and cost accounting; automatically finals some negative cultures; stat reports; general data management (e.g., specific patients by demographic data, positive blood cultures, etc.); prints labels; review and release by selected technologists; message box; adds tests and charges; generates multiple copies; patient locator; interprets Autobac susceptibilities by entering LSI values; automatic billing; payroll; lists volume of specimens from each M.D./account; assigns specimen numbers. 28. How long is information available on line? 10 11 20 7 7 14 10 3 3 1 1 16
Until patient discharged* Until all work completed ~< 1 week 1-2 weeks 2 weeks-I month 1-2 months 2-3 months 6 months-I year 2-3 years (1 for significant results only) Indefinitely Not known No answer *If different for inpatient and outpatient, inpatient tabulated; some times stipulated after patient discharge.
How long is information retained by the system? 4 2 15 14 8 3 2 27 2 1 25
Until patient discharged Until all work completed ~< 2 weeks 1-6 months 1-2 years 3-5 years 7-10 years Indefinitely or in archives Varies with the information Until cleared by operator No answer
171
29. Are data purged from the system stored (some laboratories checked more than one answer) 38 66 29 12 1
As hard copy On magnetic tape On microfiche or microfilm Disk Patient chart
30. Has the system been favorably accepted by Laboratory personnel Clinicians Other: Too soon to tell (6); Questionable (2).
Yes 83 76
No 6 5
Yes and No 2 2
No answer 10 14
Workshops and Meetings
Positions Available As a complimentary service to our subscribers, the Clinical Microbiology Newsletter will accept advertisements for positions available to clinical microbiology laboratory personnel. Ads should be no longer than 100 words and should include the complete name and address of the individual or institution listing the position so that applicants can contact employers directly. Employers wishing to advertise a position should submit four copies of the ad, typed double-spaced, to J. G. McRelvic, Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, G. K. Hall & Co., 70 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Supervisor. Tissue Culture and Serology. ASCP or AAM registry or equivalent required. Experience in cell culture, cell immunology, a n d / o r clinical virology is preferred. Will assist in the establishment o f a tissue culture section as well as supervise the serology section under the direction o f a Ph.D. division head. Direct application or inquiries to David G. Beckwith, Ph.D., c / o Personnel Department, St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, PA 18015. St. Luke's Hospital is an equal opportunity employer.
Letters to the Editor
Editors: Donna J. Blazevic, L. R. McCarthy, and Josephine A. Morello
To the Editor: Iota Sigma Pi, a National H o n o r Society for women in chemistry, is trying to contact former members who would like to become active in a metropolitan chapter of Iota Sigma Pi. Please write or phone: Joan P. Kilbourn, Ph.D. Coordinator of Members-at-Large 3178 S. W. Fairmount Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97201 (503) 244-1778
172
Annual Update in Clinical Microbiology and Immunology (Sth). Park City, Utah. February 14-19, 1982. Contact: Constance W. Staples, Course Coordinator, Department o f Pathology, University of Utah School o f Medicine, Salt Lake City, U T 84132.
Subscription Rates in U.S. and Canada: one year $54.00; two years $103.00; three years $146.00. All other countries: one year $62.00; two years $118.50; three years $168.00. Single copies are $2.50 in U.S. and Canada; $2.90 in all other countries. Single issues are available in quantity (prices available upon request). Volume 1 (1979), 24 issues $42.50. Volume 2 0980), 24 issues $46.50. All subscriptions are payable in advance. Foreign subscriptions are sent guaranteed air mail. First class postage paid in U.S. and Canada. Address correspondence regarding subscription to: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, G. K. Hall & Co., 70 Lincoln St., Boston, Massachusetts 0 2 i l l . Please include zip code in subscription address. The Clinical Microbiology Newsletter is published twice monthly. All rights, including that of translation into other languages, reserved. Photomechanical reproduction (photocopy, microcopy) of this newsletter or parts thereof without special permission of the publisher is prohibited. Editorials and letters printed in this Newsletter are published for the interest of the readers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.
system. J. Clin. Microbiol. 10:861-875. 3. Peebles, J. E., and K. J. Ryan. 1980. A microbiology information system, pp. 534-538. In J. T. O'Neill (ed.), Proceedings: The Fourth Annual Symposium on Computer Applications in Medical Care. IEEE Computer Society, Long Beach, Calif.
1. Kunz, L. J., el al. 1975. The role of the computer in microbiology. In J. E. Prier, J. Bartola, and H. Friedman (eds.), Modern methods in medical microbiology. University Park Press, Baltimore. 2. Lawrie, J. D., et al. 1979. Microbiology subsystem of a total, dedicated laboratory computer
4. Ryan, K. J., and J. E. Peebles. 1981
On-line computer entry of routine and AutoMicrobic System bacteriology results. In Proceedings: Third International Symposium on Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C. In Press.
Results of the Survey of Microbiology Laboratory Computer Systems There were 194 responses to this recent survey. O f those laboratorians who responded, 91 either have no microbiology system or are about to implement one but provided no further information. O f the remaining 103 laboratories, 84 have a system in use, and 19 were sufficiently close to implementing a system to complete the questionnaire. Accordingly, the answers to questions 1 through 5a have been divided into two groups to allow comparison o f the laboratory and hospital type, bed size, and specimen workload o f computerized and noncomputerized laboratories. The answers to the remaining questions (5b-30) apply only to laboratories that have a microbiology computer system or will have one in the very near future. Those o f you about to take the step will be pleased to note that a majority o f laboratory personnel and clinicians have reacted favorably to computerization (question 30). We would like to thank each of you who responded for sharing, the information with your colleagues. Laboratories with computer
No computer
91
85
8 1
3 2
3 (city and hospital; large commercial; Finnish Univ. Central)
1 (dental-clinical)
1. Type of laboratory Hospital Private Public Health Other:
2. If hospital, specify type Community VA or other government Medical school or affiliate Other:
60 4 28 1 (nonprofit)
55 14 12 4 (Catholic; nonprofit; military)
3 43 34 13
21 46 44 4
3. If hospital laboratory, how many beds? < 200 200-499 500-800 >800 4. Status of microbiology laboratory computer Currently in use About to implement a system Currently seeking a system Laboratory computer does not (will not) include microbiology No plans for computerization in laboratory
84 19
4 45
9 27
Other: For billing only (2); Currently seeking, but may not include microbiology (2); Hopefully, in future (2) |1
167
5. Indicate below a) the nm;aber of specimens processed in each laboratory area and b) whether or not the results are reported via the laboratory computer system.
a. Section
Number o f specimens/month
Bacteriology Mycobacteriology Mycology Parasitology Virology Serology/immunology
<200 -t
1 55 57 59 49
4 53 61 56 55
1 17 14 15 6
8 10 5 9 1
7 6 7 2 1
16 2 0 1 0
59 3 4 0 3
39 1 0 0 0
23~t 1 0 0 0
3 0 0 0 0
12 21 21 27 44
21 25 25 25 35
10
29
3
10
12
3
39
10
6§
2**
33
37
200-499 +
1,000-4,999 +
500-999 +
* + = laboratories with con7 ~uter t - = laboratories without computer ~t 5 laboratories process more than 10,000/month § 2 laboratories process more than 10,000/month ** 1 laboratory processes more than 10,000/month
b. Section
Results reported via laboratory computer
Bacteriology Mycobaeteriology Mycology Parasitology Virology Serology/immunology
Yes
No
No answer
87 80 80 74 42 68*
5 9 7 10 16 7
11 14 16 19 45 28
*Three laboratories report only serology, and two report only virology and serology via computer. 6. Is your computer system 18 Part of the hospital system 68 Part of a general laboratory system 16 An independent microbiology laboratory system 7. If your computer system is not part of the hospital system, is it interfaced with the hospital system? 30 Yes
44 No
4 Billing only 24 No answer
8. Type of system 61 " T u r n k e y " system produced by commercial supplier 16 Medlab 11 Community Health Computing (CHC) 8 Datamedix (Spear) 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
Laboratory Consulting, Inc. (LCI) Technicon T & T Meditech Berkeley Scientific Labs (BSL) Honeywell Rubicon Not specified Diversified Numerical Application (DNA) Sunquest CompuData Advanced Medical Systems (AMS) LIST Saturn Computer AG, Switzerland i
168
•
No answer +
+*
9. What computer hardware is used? (list correlates with supplier on left) 15 1 10 1 6 2 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
CDC Cyber Hewlett Packard ModComp Classic Not specified Spear CLAS Not specified DEC PDP-11 series Data General Eclipse Data General Eclipse Not specified Honeywell 1716 DEC PDP-I 1 series DEC PDP-I 1 series DNA-Unilab 1 DEC PDP-I 1 series Data General DEC PDP-I1 series Texas Instruments Point 4 Data Corp Mark 5
5,000-10,000 +
Type of system (continued) 28 Developed by laboratory personnel or in-house
11 3 2 2 2 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1
13 Developed by others 2 IBM LDMS System 2 University o f Alabama 2 Software company (not specified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Computer hardware (continued) IBM DEC (1 VAX) Apple Data General Univac DNA-AVNET CDC Cyber Burroughs Hewlett Packard ICL System 10 Radio Shack Wang Not specified
2 IBM 2 IBM
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
NCR Texas Instruments DEC Not specified DEC DEC PDP-I1 series DEC-VAX 1 IBM 1 Northstar Horizon
Hospital Data Center o f Virginia Microscan MGH Microform Data Regenstrief Systems Programming Vitek Data Center
10. Location of computer 72 "Within or near laboratory 29 Remote from laboratory but within the hospital 2 Outside hospital 11. Do you have access to the computer for entry and inquiry 99 Throughout the workday 2 At specified time periods only 2 No answer 12. Method of entering results (some laboratories checked more than one answer) 97 29 3 3 1
Keyboard Mark sense Keypunch Other: Light pen Interface
13. Are results 26 56 19 1
Batch entered Entered on-line throughout the day Both Free text; 1 No answer
14. Number of input/output devices for microbiology
CRT terminals Hard-copy printers or terminals Card readers
1
2
3-5
>5
30 47 20
15 16 4
27 2
12 2
15. Persons entering results (some laboratories checked more than one answer)
Medical technologists Requisition entry 50 Results entry 88 *Primarily nurses or M.D. on floor
Clerk/data entry specialist 76 27
Other 9* 4
169
16. Is system maintained by 19 48 5 31
Hospital personnel Clinical laboratory personnel Microbiology laboratory personnel Other: Vendor (11); Vendor and laboratory personnel (11); Laboratory data division (5); Consultants (2); Hospital and laboratory personnel (2).
17. Number of persons employed for computer service
Programmer/analyst Administrator/manager Data entry clerks Other: operators, repair technicians, supervisors, nurse coordinator
1
2
24 46 4
10 13 8
3-5 9 9 21
6-10 3 1 14
2
5
8
6
~10 2 10 2
18. Are the results reported to patient floors via 66 2 34 1
Hard copy Displayed on an electronic terminal Both Transmitted to remote areas
19. How often are interim (new data only) reports issued? 26 Once a day. 7 7 a.m.-noon 7 noon-5 p.m. 3 after 5 p.m. 9 no time specified 23 Twice a day 13 7 a.m.-noon; noon-5 p.m. 2 7 a.m.-noon; after 5 p.m. 2 noon-5 p.m.; after 5 p.m. 6 no times specified 45 More than twice a day. 10 Three times a day 2 midnight to 7 a.m.; 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m. 4 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m.; after 5 p.m. 3 three times between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. 1 7 a.m. to noon; twice after 5 p.m. 6 Four times a day 1 3 times before noon; once after 5 p.m. 3 2 times before noon; 2 times after noon 2 1 time before noon; 3 times after noon 3 Five times a day 1 3 times before noon; 2 times after noon 2 2 times before noon; 3 times after noon 1 Six times a day, no times specified 8 Whenever new data entered or completed 5 Continuous 3 Every I or 2 hours 1 On request 8 No times specified
20. How often are cumulative reports issued? 73 Once a day 26 midnight to 7 a.m. 2 7 a.m. to noon 12 noon to 5 p.m. 19 5 p.m. to midnight 14 no times specified 10 Twice a day 1 midnight to 7 a.m.; noon to 5 p.m. 4 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m. 1 7 a.m. to noon; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 noon to 5 p.m.; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 twice between 5 p.m. and midnight 2 no times specified 8 More than twice a day 2 Three times a day 1 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m.; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 midnight to 7 a.m.; twice between noon and 5 p.m. 2 Four times a day 1 midnight to 7 a.m.; twice between noon and 5 p.m.; 5 p.m. to midnight 1 7 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m.; twice between 5 p.m. and midnight 1 Six times a day; no times specified 3 Continuous 1 1 1 9
When asked Not done Monthly No answer
9 No answer 21. Does the system utilize graphs such as histograms or line graphs to display portions of results? 16 Yes 81 No 4 Yes, but not in microbiology 2 No answer If yes, specify: Primarily Levy-Jennings charts for quality control; line graphs for cumulative reports. 22. Does the computer system provide interpretative data for clinicians in addition to specific results for a particular patient (e.g., antibiotic dosages or achievable tissue levels from M I C data)? 36 Yes 64 No Other: Printed on hard copy (1); Can enter as free text (1); No answer (1).
What other information is available from the computer system? Check all that apply. 68 80 77 12 53 13 13 13
Antibiotic summary Worklists Workload report Inventory Infection control information Organism identification from biochemical reactions Quality control Overdue test list Other: Master logs; specimen directory; patient directory; positive culture list; review list; turnaround times; status of work in progress; susceptibility profile report; management statistics; list of susceptibilities completed in past 7 days to avoid repeats; significant findings; VD reports; unusual antimicrobial susceptibilities; daily and monthly summaries of culture data; revenue lists; patients from previous day with charges; addresses and telephone numbers of doctor and patient.
24. Are any automated instruments on-line to system? 9 Yes 66 No If yes, specify: Vitek AMS (2); MS-2 (in progress) (1); Not specified (6). 27 Yes, but not in microbiology 25. Is there a result verification function in the system? 74 Yes 24 No 1 Yes, but not in microbiology; 4 No answer 26. Are unusual results automatically flagged by the computer? 44 Yes 46 No 11 Yes, but not in microbiology 2 No answer If yes, specify: High and low values; panic values; numerical values only; unusual antimicrobial susceptibilities; user defined; bacterial counts > l0 S per gram; unusual organisms flagged with lists of appropriate tests to perform; coding errors; high titers; abnormal positive results. 27. List any other capabilities or functions of your computer system Word processing; special reports for specific patients; used primarily for data storage; graphics; Pascal and Fortran languages; updating preliminary reports with final reports; extensive laboratory management and cost accounting; automatically finals some negative cultures; stat reports; general data management (e.g., specific patients by demographic data, positive blood cultures, etc.); prints labels; review and release by selected technologists; message box; adds tests and charges; generates multiple copies; patient locator; interprets Autobac susceptibilities by entering LSI values; automatic billing; payroll; lists volume of specimens from each M.D./account; assigns specimen numbers. 28. How long is information available on line? 10 11 20 7 7 14 10 3 3 1 1 16
Until patient discharged* Until all work completed ~< 1 week 1-2 weeks 2 weeks-I month 1-2 months 2-3 months 6 months-I year 2-3 years (1 for significant results only) Indefinitely Not known No answer *If different for inpatient and outpatient, inpatient tabulated; some times stipulated after patient discharge.
How long is information retained by the system? 4 2 15 14 8 3 2 27 2 1 25
Until patient discharged Until all work completed ~< 2 weeks 1-6 months 1-2 years 3-5 years 7-10 years Indefinitely or in archives Varies with the information Until cleared by operator No answer
171
29. Are data purged from the system stored (some laboratories checked more than one answer) 38 66 29 12 1
As hard copy On magnetic tape On microfiche or microfilm Disk Patient chart
30. Has the system been favorably accepted by Laboratory personnel Clinicians Other: Too soon to tell (6); Questionable (2).
Yes 83 76
No 6 5
Yes and No 2 2
No answer 10 14
Workshops and Meetings
Positions Available As a complimentary service to our subscribers, the Clinical Microbiology Newsletter will accept advertisements for positions available to clinical microbiology laboratory personnel. Ads should be no longer than 100 words and should include the complete name and address of the individual or institution listing the position so that applicants can contact employers directly. Employers wishing to advertise a position should submit four copies of the ad, typed double-spaced, to J. G. McRelvic, Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, G. K. Hall & Co., 70 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Supervisor. Tissue Culture and Serology. ASCP or AAM registry or equivalent required. Experience in cell culture, cell immunology, a n d / o r clinical virology is preferred. Will assist in the establishment o f a tissue culture section as well as supervise the serology section under the direction o f a Ph.D. division head. Direct application or inquiries to David G. Beckwith, Ph.D., c / o Personnel Department, St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, PA 18015. St. Luke's Hospital is an equal opportunity employer.
Letters to the Editor
Editors: Donna J. Blazevic, L. R. McCarthy, and Josephine A. Morello
To the Editor: Iota Sigma Pi, a National H o n o r Society for women in chemistry, is trying to contact former members who would like to become active in a metropolitan chapter of Iota Sigma Pi. Please write or phone: Joan P. Kilbourn, Ph.D. Coordinator of Members-at-Large 3178 S. W. Fairmount Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97201 (503) 244-1778
172
Annual Update in Clinical Microbiology and Immunology (Sth). Park City, Utah. February 14-19, 1982. Contact: Constance W. Staples, Course Coordinator, Department o f Pathology, University of Utah School o f Medicine, Salt Lake City, U T 84132.
Subscription Rates in U.S. and Canada: one year $54.00; two years $103.00; three years $146.00. All other countries: one year $62.00; two years $118.50; three years $168.00. Single copies are $2.50 in U.S. and Canada; $2.90 in all other countries. Single issues are available in quantity (prices available upon request). Volume 1 (1979), 24 issues $42.50. Volume 2 0980), 24 issues $46.50. All subscriptions are payable in advance. Foreign subscriptions are sent guaranteed air mail. First class postage paid in U.S. and Canada. Address correspondence regarding subscription to: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, G. K. Hall & Co., 70 Lincoln St., Boston, Massachusetts 0 2 i l l . Please include zip code in subscription address. The Clinical Microbiology Newsletter is published twice monthly. All rights, including that of translation into other languages, reserved. Photomechanical reproduction (photocopy, microcopy) of this newsletter or parts thereof without special permission of the publisher is prohibited. Editorials and letters printed in this Newsletter are published for the interest of the readers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.