A PC-BASED LABORATORY HANDBOOK

The presentation of a suitable handbook of laboratory tests for the laboratory users and the collection of related information for the laboratory staff are both technical and clerical tasks. We developed a program to allow clerical entry of handbook information, but place the proofing, editing, and minor corrections into the hands of medical technologists. The numerous fields describing each test include its name with alternatives, how to order it, when it is available, the types of specimens on which it can be performed, and where to deliver the specimens, as well as reference and toxic ranges and clinical significance. Multiple documents, containing any combination of the various fields, can be produced from the same database.