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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

 

 

 

Locations


ADDL-West Lafayette:
406 S. University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Phone: 765-494-7440
Fax: 765-494-9181

ADDL-SIPAC
11367 E. Purdue Farm Road
Dubois, IN 47527
Phone: (812) 678-3401
Fax: (812) 678-3412

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