Virtually every cytology laboratory invests considerable staff time in
the entry or log-in of specimens into a laboratory information system
. In many cases these systems are not optimized for rapid entry of the
data. We describe a combination of two techniques (fastkey/macros and
bar code) that has enabled us to reduce the number of keystrokes requ
ired for cytologic smear accessioning and to improve the overall effic
iency of the requisition entry process by 25%. Similar techniques coul
d be used with a wide variety of information systems.