Making a good impression: how modern technology can help you get your point across.

Three-quarters of the participants in a personal computer (PC) workshop at the CLMA 1994 National Meeting had had no experience with software available to prepare high-quality presentations. Although 96% felt they would be more effective in their positions if they knew more about computers, and two-thirds had PCs on their desks, 70% indicated that lack of support and education had inhibited their progress in this area. The field of presentation software and hardware is more complex than simple word processing and spread sheet applications, because peripheral issues such as film recorders, graphic file formats, and the human factor are involved. This article attempts to demystify the technology and to educate laboratory managers so that they will be able to take advantage of the numerous tools and enhance their ability to communicate effectively in a variety of circumstances.

Results of the CLMA membership survey on laboratory information systems.

This article presents the results of the CLMA membership survey concerning Laboratory Information Systems. A variety of factors are discussed, including purchase and maintenance cost of systems, user satisfaction, staffing requirements, processor location and control, applications installed, and interfacing to the Hospital Information System.

RIS review 1993. State of the market.

According to the vendors who supply them, cost justification seriously impedes the selection and implementation of a radiology information system, also called an RIS. Forty companies' executives, who provided information about their systems for Healthcare Informatics' 1993 RIS survey, also indicated what they believe are the primary benefits of a radiology system. They ranked results reporting at the top of the list and inventory control at the bottom.

Laboratory trends shift with the winds of technology.

Mixing laboratory trends with new technology, the changing market and today's vendors is a little like using a high-speed centrifuge to separate blood, yet nowhere near as accurate. Are interfaces, portability and UNIX going to come out in high percentages? Lab expert Gary Braley sorts out the situation.