The Häma-COM laboratory data management system (LDS): tailor-made computerization of the individual working procedures arising in a hematology laboratory with a high throughput of pathologic samples

Abstract

 A laboratory data management system (Häma-COM) is presented that is individually adaptable to the different working procedures arising in a hematology laboratory. The Häma-COM can be easily integrated into a hospital and/or another laboratory computer system, providing the facilities of total electronic data transfer between the referring institutions and the laboratory. The system is based on a network of personal computers running Novell Network software and coordinates two hematology analyzers (NE-8000, R-1000) and several microscopic work stations. The entire information provided by the hematology analyzers including scatterplots and histograms is captured by the system, whereby automated results are validated and worklists for further sample workup are created. Corrections of and/or additions to automated analysis results might be directly entered into the system from the respective microscopic working places. The Häma-COM system minimizes the administrative workload without interfering with the individual laboratory organization.