New Computer System-New Reports from ADDL
Why a new computer system?
Our old computer system was based on software that was
developed before the evolution of Microsoft Windows and was
not compatible with a Windows environment. The main computer
that we used was dated and relatively slow. The old system
did not allow for interfaces with an increasing number of
electronic test devices that automatically transfer test results
and other data via electronic links. Likewise, it did not
have the potential for access to test results and reports
by our users via the world- wide- web.
Our new system is based on modern programmable database
software that is Microsoft Windows compatible and is able
to utilize the power and capacity of more powerful computers.
This system is a new product that has been purchased by several
large veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Due to the specialized
nature and limited number of veterinary diagnostic laboratories,
each laboratory must customize the program to meet their specific
needs. We are working with several other laboratories and
with the software supplier to continue enhancement of this
program and its capabilities. Our primary goal is to provide
test results in concise user-friendly consolidated reports
via current and emerging technologies such as automatic FAXing,
automatic E-mail and/or 24-hour access via the world-wide-web.
Look for additional enhancements in the future. Please call
us with your concerns and suggestions.
Reading our new reports
Our reports are consolidated. This means that each time
a report is printed it contains all of the results of all
completed tests. We print and mail or FAX reports twice daily
to ensure that results from tests completed in the morning
will be sent by afternoon of the same day. The computer only
prints a new report for each case if there are new test results
since the previous printing. Although reports contain an
increasing amount of repetition, new tests results for each
laboratory always appear at the top and are dated. Therefore,
by quickly scanning the top few lines for each laboratory
and reading only results with the same date as the report
date, one can easily find new test results. Reports are entitled
“Preliminary Report” or “Final Report”.
All reports are “Preliminary” if there are any incomplete
tests. When a report is “Final”, all tests are
complete. Of course, this means that the final report replaces
all previous reports and would be appropriate for inclusion
in a permanent client file.
For cases requiring gross or histopathology, the pathologist
acts as an overall case coordinator and completes a “case
summary” section for the report that will always be displayed
first. The case summary is completed when histopathology
and most other tests are completed and includes a final diagnosis(es)
for the case as well as a comment that explains the rationale
for the diagnosis or other opinions of the pathologist.
Most test results are reported as a concise single line
in a standard format (see sample report). This format is
as follows:
Sample (animal ID), test result by test type (date test
completed).
Please note that the “animal ID” in parentheses
behind the sample will be a number 1-6 if the number of animals
represented in a case is less than or equal to 6. There is
an animal ID “key” that appears at the top of the
report immediately above the report title. This key makes
clear which animal is which by listing additional unique identification
for each animal numbered 1-6, such as color, ear tag number,
tattoo number, etc. as indicated by the submitter. For cases
that contain samples from large numbers (>6) of animals,
such as milk samples from dairy cows or nasal swabs from pigs,
the ear tag number or other unique animal ID that is submitted
with each sample will be displayed on the report line in the
parentheses instead of the numbers 1-6. This method for animal
identification in our single-line test reporting format, although
a bit confusing at first, was implemented because it seemed
to provide the most accurate and concise method to report
results from a variety of types of cases.
The bottom of each page of each report has a footer that
contains the name of the submitting veterinarian and animal
owner, the page number and the ADDL case number. This allows
easy identification of misplaced pages from reports.
Future Enhancements
We are working to improve this system, the format of our
reports and the availability of results to our users.
In the near future, we intend to also include all tests
that are pending on each report. These will be listed by
laboratory at the first of each result block and will be clearly
identified.
For example:
PENDING: Lung (1), virus isolation
We also intend to make it easier to identify new test results
on each report by identifying only those tests with new results
since the previous printing of the report with a unique initial
symbol or by an obviously different format We are currently
generating our antibiotic sensitivity reports as we did in
the past by manually printing them from a separate machine.
We hope soon to be able to transfer these sensitivity reports
electronically into our new software so they will become part
of our consolidated report. This is important for electronic
viewing of reports via the world-wide-web.
As a longer-term goal, we and other laboratories that are
implementing this software hope to develop an interface for
the world-wide-
web. This would allow users of our laboratory to ccess current
and past reports 24 hours a day for their own clients. Of
course, this feature must include security safeguard that
ensure client confidentiality. It would also allow downloading
of submission forms or electronic submission of submission
data for animals being delivered by a third party.
Feedback
As you all probably noticed, we have had some growing pains
as all of us learn to use the new program and input results
of tests. Reports for the first few weeks often lacked uniformity.
We are attempting to continuously improve our skills as well
as the software. We need your feedback. Please let us know
things that you like or dislike about our new reports. If
you have suggestions for improvements, please share them with
us.
-by Greg Stevenson, DVM, PhD
Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology,
Veterinary Pathologist, ADDL
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