There is a system developed by PathLogix that fits your dream computer
system for the most part.  The bar coding wish is not available but
everything else you asked for is on their system.  It can be interfaced with
most other hospital systems so patient demographics don't have to entered in
again.  It has voice recognition or short codes can be typed in the keyboard
and full text pops up.  It can integrate images with the pathology report
and the reports can be signed electronically.  Each pathologist can
customize the system to their needs.  It has billing information tied in to
it with CPT codes, ICD9 codes, etc.  Special stain requests can be ordered
and tracked, labels printed, reports automatically sent to other physicians,
and has five levels of security built in.  AND it all comes on one CD which
you download on your computer and start working with it immediately.

Go to www.pathlogix.com for further information or call 1-858-454-8030.  Let
them tell you all the details that I have not mentioned above.  It is a very
powerful system that will cost your facility much less than the other
systems.

Cheryl Rehfeld
Meyer Instruments, Inc.
281-579-0342
-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Morken <timcdc@hotmail.com>
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 7:45 PM
Subject: Dream computer system


>The comments about accessioning stratagies have been interesting and I have
>often thought about what a truly good path system would have. As I see it,
>most problems in dealing with specimens in pathology are caused by having
to
>enter information and handle paper in an area where people are doing a lot
>of hands-on work with dirty stuff. Here's my suggestions. Please comment or
>add to them!
>
>1) all specimens come bar coded with demographic information already input
>by a secretary somewhere.
>
>2) scanning the bar code automatically assigns an accession number and
dumps
>all patient info into the local system.
>
>3) a keyboard-less entry system similar to those used in fast food
>restaurants so that tissues, panels and personnel information can be put in
>with just a few finger taps. This same setup is used througout the lab to
>enter info about blocks,stains and results. No paper requsitions or rest
>requests are ever used.
>
>4) All slides are barcoded (along with typed info) and every computer
>station has a scanner. You go to the computer and scan the slide and the
>patient record comes up.
>
>4) Dictation of gross and micros goes directly into the system, eliminating
>any transcription. Using standard dictation codes would make this painless.
>
>5) If you need a hardcopy of case info for a daily logbook you print a
>single label that you stick on a sheet or board for just that day's
>reference (that way you don't need to print out partial lists all day
long).
>
>6) Reports are handled fully by the pathologist with most info automaically
>coded and input with the fast-food keyboard. The rest is dictated. No more
>back and forth to transcriptionists for corrections would be done.
>
>7) Reports are kept electronically, nothing on paper, saving huge amounts
of
>space.
>
>Anybody seen anything like that out there?
>
>Tim Morken, B.A., EMT(MSA), HTL(ASCP)
>Infectious Disease Pathology
>Centers for Disease Control
>MS-G32
>1600 Clifton Rd.
>Atlanta, GA 30333
>USA
>
>email: tim9@cdc.gov
>       timcdc@hotmail.com
>
>Phone: (404) 639-3964
>FAX:  (404)639-3043
>
>
>
>________________________________________________________________________
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>
>