Requirements for a data processing system for hospital laboratories

The modern clinical laboratory should employ automation wherever it is applicable in a continuing effort to meet the demand for ever-increasing amounts of analytical information. The laboratory must also keep pace with the latest fruits of medical research which must be added to the clinical diagnostic armamentarium. This laboratory information explosion imposes great demands upon the laboratory staff. Little hope exists for expanding the staff to meet all these demands. Instead, more efficient use must be made of trained personnel. This can best be obtained by automation of clinical test procedures and automation of the accompanying paper work.