Haematological validation of a computer-based bone marrow reporting system

A synoptic reporting system for bone marrow aspiration and core biopsy specimens

CONTEXT

Advances in information technology have made electronic systems productive tools for pathology report generation. Structured data formats are recommended for better understanding of pathology reports by clinicians and for retrieval of pathology reports. Suitable formats need to be developed to include structured data elements for report generation in electronic systems.

OBJECTIVE

To conform to the requirement of protocol-based reporting and to provide uniform and standardized data entry and retrieval, we developed a synoptic reporting system for generation of bone marrow cytology and histology reports for incorporation into our hospital information system.

DESIGN

A combination of macro text, short preformatted templates of tabular data entry sheets, and canned files was developed using a text editor enabling protocol-based input. The system is flexible and has facility for appending free text entry. It also incorporates SNOMED coding and codes for teaching, research, and internal auditing.

RESULTS

This synoptic reporting system is easy to use and adaptable. Features and advantages include pick-up text with defined choices, flexibility for appending free text, facility for data entry for protocol-based reports for research use, standardized and uniform format of reporting, comparable follow-up reports, minimized typographical and transcription errors, and saving on reporting time, thus helping shorten the turnaround time.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple structured pathology report templates are a powerful means for supporting uniformity in reporting as well as subsequent data viewing and extraction, particularly suitable to computerized reporting.

A comprehensive knowledge-based system for laboratory hematology

The Coulter FACULTY knowledge-based systems, Professor Petrushka for peripheral blood interpretation, Professor Fidelio for flow cytometry immunophenotyping and Professor Belmonte for bone marrow reporting, have been installed in several hospitals in Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom. In Spain and Portugal, the systems are part of the IZASA-Coulter CITOTECA workstation, which includes a video camera for capturing microscopic images and a networkable laboratory information system supporting color reports. At the Royal Hospitals Trust (St. Bartholomew's Hospital and The Royal London Hospital, London, UK), networked workstations are available and the system is used daily to generate bone marrow reports in the hematology laboratories. There have been considerable benefits from adopting Coulter FACULTY for bone marrow reporting, including faster turnaround time, improved quality of the reports and cost savings.