RAPID ACCURATE ENTRY OF MICROBIOLOGY RESULTS

Objective.-To develop techniques to improve efficiency and accuracy of data entry in microbiology, using a commercially available laboratory information system that is keystroke-intensive. Design.-A combination of technologies, including bar-coded phrase sheets, keyboard macros, and bar-coded specimen labels, are used to automate the entry of commo nly used keystroke sequences and combinations of culture findings. Set ting.-An acute care hospital laboratory. Participants.-Laboratory tech nologists. Outcome measures.-feasibility, report error rates, and tech nologist time. Results.-Qualitative: implementation of all three techn ologies proved feasible and practical. Quantitative: a 25-fold decreas e in misreported cultures, as well as a 50% savings in reading time fo r new urine cultures. Conclusions,This set of technologies for keystro ke reduction would be of general applicability to laboratories with a variety of different laboratory information systems.