The regenstrief clinical laboratory system

The Regenstrief Clinical Laboratory System (RCLS) has been operational since 1975 at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana (a 580 bed facility). The clinician support, user interfaces, and use of a true data base management system distinguish this system from many commercially avaiIabIe laboratory systems. Physician reports include laboratory, clinic, pharmacy and radiology data in a single, compact flow sheet. The system can search patient medical records for conditions that may require corrective action and inform physicians of the reasons these actions should be considered. The site-specific modifications required to transport this system do not require re-programming. The system allows multiple specimen numbering sequences; identification of terms by name or number; unlimited amounts of free text; reports that can be tailored by non-programmer personnel; CAP accounting statistics; on-line instrument interfaces; and extensive on-line instructional facilities. The Regenstrief Clinical Laboratory System (RCLS) accomplishes most of the data capture, reporting and management functions expected of such systems, but it has a number of distinguishing features. These include: 1) its focus on usage by the clinician; 2) its accomodating user interface; 3) its roots in a true data base management system.