ONLINE ORDERING OF PATHOLOGY TESTS : SOME PROTOTYPE SOLUTIONS

We have experimented with a number of prototypes that run outside of
our current LIMS. Some of our designs can be seen over the www. 

The first prototypes involve HTML forms which get processed on our
LINUX server using some C based CGIs that I adapted from 'C' source
code downloadable from NCSA : 

request2.htm : This form is predominantly check boxes and uses the
POST method to email the requests to my email account 

Point your browser at 

147.109.64.140/pathology/demo/request2.htm 

request3.htm : This form has fewer check boxes and more free text
boxes 

Point your browser at 

147.109.64.140/pathology/demo/request3.htm 

request4.htm : This form makes extensive use of drop down menus 

Point your browser at 

147.109.64.140/pathology/demo/request4.htm 

So if you have a webserver - LINUX or NT - you have all the facilities
you need to set up a variety of request forms that you can market test
on your users. 

In my opinion you don't necessarily have to have this embedded into
your LIMS, in fact on-line requesting means that you don't have the
specimens yet - they will arrive later. The lab staff do not want to
have these electronically lodged requests to add work to their
outstanding worklists ! What you can do is draw up phlebotomy lists,
courier pick ups etc. Provided you place the online requesting data
into a database that is compatible with your LIMS then once the
specimens arrive then the LIMS can be asked to import the request
details data. You also need a piece of paper at the requesting end to
go into the bag with the specimens - we have some ideas about how to
do that involve printing across the network for local users but
external requests - which are not a major issue for us yet - will
require another solution; eg return the completed request form as an
HTML document to their browser and they then print it out locally, or
send it back as an email. 

Following on from that we have a hybrid prototype involving faxing in
request forms from the Wards to a lab PC. We can then view the request
form and extract the data from it. This solution requires a high
resolution screen at the lab end. Also you have to convert the fax
images from TIF3 format to GIF. This we achieved via cutting the fax
images viewd with 'Imaging' - which is part of Windows95 Accessories -
and then pasting them into 'LviewPro'. No doubt there is a program out
there which could automate this process. One spin off is that you can
build up a GIF image database of all your request forms - no more
photocopying - forms can be viewed anywhere in the lab via Internet
Explorer. 

Take a look at 

147.109.64.140/pathology/demo/faxform08a.htm 

which is native faxed request form 

147.109.64.140/pathology/demo/faxform08b.htm 

which is a 750 X 750 image of the faxform08a 

and 

147.109.64.140/pathology/demo/faxform08c.htm 

which is a full sized request form with 25% of the screen devoted to a
data entry panel on the left hand side. If you turn off the Tools and
Status bars on your browser then you get a larger field of view on
your screen. These have been tested out on Internet Explorer 3. 

Finally we have explored the PalmPilot as a mobile data entry point -
it is possible but we found screen size and layout plus Graffiti two
significant stumbling blocks - but our preference is now for a Windows
CE solution - mobile, versatile, cheap, lots of people are writing
programs for them and hence they are more adaptable and scalable to
your requirements. Nevertheless I am impressed with the PalmPilot and
in more disciplined environments than public hospitals they could be
very effective ! 

If you do visit our site and experiment with completing some of the
request forms etc. then please put your email address or some other
form of ID into say the 'Doctor' field. That way I'll be able to gauge
interest and keep in contact with you. 

This whole email can be viewed at 

http://147.109.64.140/pathology/demo/wardorder.htm 

Regards 


Dr Tom Hartley, Senior Scientist, 
Pathology Information Systems Group 
Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania, Australia 
email [log in to unmask] 
fax +61-3-62313145 




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