Computerization of Microscope Slide Labelling

ABSTRACT

The automation in surgical pathology, particularly in the reporting and encoding system using personal computers has been greatly improved in recent years, but the computerization of microscope slide labelling has not been improved. The authors have developed database program for slide labelling using FoxPro 2.5 and FoxBASE SCOUNIX 2.1.2 For I year during trial an effect has been put forward to simplify and organize the labelling work in routine surgical pathology. The program is now become easily applicable to the labelling work without disturbing the normal flow in a pathology laboratory. It is possible to get information concerning how many paraffin blocks and H&E slides have been made, as well as what kind of special stains have been requested for each case. The authors think that the computerization of labelling work in routine surgical pathology is a fairly easy task, and this should simplify the labelling work at a lower cost, diminish the workload of a typist or technician, and indirect information concerning the workload in a pathology laboratory can be calculated.