• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.333-340
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• 1994

Laboratory information system (LIS) is a key tool to manage laboratory data in clinical pathology. Our department has developed an information system for routine hematology using down-sized computer system. We have used an IBM 486 compatible PC with 16 MB main memory, 210 MB hard disk drive, 9 RS-232C port and 24 pin dot printer The operating system and database management system were SCO UNIX and SCO foxbase, respectively. For program development, we used Xbase language provided by SCO foxbase. The C language was used for interface purpose. To make the system use friendly, pull-down menu was used. The system connected to our hospital information system via application program interface (API), so the information related to patient and request details is automatically transmitted to our computer. Our system interfaced with two complete blood count analyzers (Sysmex WE-8000 and Coulter STKS) for unidirectional data transmission from analyzer to computer. The authors suggests 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 other hospital's LIS for routine hematology.