Download or read book Chapter 9: Computers in the Clinical Laboratory written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 13 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today, laboratories use computers to manage test requests and specimen collection, control instruments, collect data from instruments, translate that data into meaningful results, collate all analyses on an individual patient, and generate reports for physician information and inclusion in patients medical records. Because computers are part of every laboratory and because medical informatics (including clinical laboratory data) is essential to health care delivery, clinical laboratory personnel must have a basic knowledge of computers and computer communication technology. Individuals who understand how a computer operates will use computers more effectively and, when faced with decision making about computers, will not be at the mercy of those who do know. Similar to the automobile, the more you know about how it operates, the more informed decisions you can make in purchases, repairs, and upgrades. This chapter will present general concepts of computer hardware, software, and their usage in the clinical laboratory.