DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOVERIFICATION ALGORITHM FOR OBSERVED VALUES OF EXAMINATIONS IN CLINICAL CHEMISTRY.

Abstract

AIMS: Incorporation of autoverification algorithms in the current Laboratory Information System (LIS) for observed values of clinical chemistry examinations performed in the biochemistry department, New Civil Hospital, Surat, Gujarat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Draw Data Flow Diagrams (DFD) based on currently used formal and informal verification algorithms used by technicians for the observed value of examinations. If required make changes in MySQL database data dictionary. Write PHP code modules to execute DFDs and incorporate code in existing LIS code. Perform software testing of LIS to find whether PHP code for autoverification yields intended results. Implement altered LIS code for patient reporting with post-implementation monitoring for errors. Compare turn around time and error done by technical staff between manual verification and Autoverification. RESULTS: Autoverification algorithm was successfully developed and implemented for various parameters. 16.75 % errors occurred during manual verification, while no error occurred during autoverification. Average TAT taken for manual verification of 20 dummy cases (reports) was approximately 32 mins verses less than 90 sec for autoverification. CONCLUSIONS: Auto-verification, if properly validated for each and every possible outcome, is error proof and fast as compared to manual verification, which results in considerable errors of commission and omission. INTRODUCTION: At present all clinical laboratories are continually under pressure to increase productivity in terms of accurate and timely result and shortage of skilled technician. Increased laboratory information related to larger test menu and increase samples adds to the relative shortage of skilled manpower in clinical laboratories. At the same time, laboratories are subject to frequent global budget cuts made in response to pressure from management. These economic constraints have motivated laboratories to work at lower cost leading to continual acceptance of