Asan Medical Center Laboratory Information System(VI): Information Communication System for Routine Urinalysis Using a Down-Sized Computer / 대한의료정보학회지

ABSTRACT

Laboratory information system(LIS) is a key tool for management of laboratory data and for improvement of service quality in clinical pathology. Using down-sized computer system, we have developed an information management system, for urinalysis. The hardware is organized with an IBM 486 compatible PC with 16 MB main memory, 210 MB hard disk drive, three terminals, and 24 pin dot printer. The system is interfaced with one automatic urine analyzer(Miditron-M) via RS-232C port for unidirectional data transmission form analyzer to computer. The operating system and database management system are SCO UNIX and SCO foxbase, respectively. The program was developed using Xbase language provided by SCO foxbase and C language for interface. The system is connected to our hospital information system via application program interface(API), so the informations about patients and request details are automatically transmitted to our computer. Pull-down menu makes the users to access system more easily and the urinalysis results obtaining through interface can be reviewed during microscopic examination by users. To reduce workload, the default value was assigned to urine color, turbidity and cell count. To minimize the individual difference and standardize interpretation criteria, the recording results were entered as a code originating from objective grading system. The authors suggest that this system based on down-sized computer could provide a progressive approach to total LIS based on local area network, and the implemented system could serve as a model for constructing LIS in other hospitals for routine urinalysis.