Enquiries to: Information Technology
was initially specified by CQPL in 1982. The initial system used a text based platform and version 1.0 was installed in December 1982. The system used a mini-computer local area network (LAN). Enhancements were continuously added by the CQPL software development team and the laboratory dispensed with all paper filing systems within a few years.
The advent of the relatively inexpensive micro-computer using the Microsoft ® disk operating system (DOS) was the beginning of rapid advances in development. In 1990 the development team converted the software to use MS-DOS ®. This resulted in a 20 fold increase in operating speed. Analysers were linked to the system, sophisticated software changes were made easier and within a few months referring practitioners and hospitals were invited to have on line access to pathology results. The success of
On-Line led to the development of the On-Site package with automated downloads establishing a local database of the referring practitioner's pathology results. Within a few years Pathology Information Transfer (PIT) was added for those practitioners using practice management systems (PMS). Many practitioners elected to have both On-Site and PIT downloads.
By 1995 approximately 30% of medical practices used computer systems and only half of these were used by the practitioners themselves. The development team realised it would only be a few years before these numbers doubled and On-Site pathology results would be even more popular with individual requests for one-off statistics and reports.
Mid 1995 saw the imminent release of Microsoft ® Windows
95®. The development team saw the new graphic user interface as being one of the greatest releases for the average computer user in 1995 and the future. The team realised the need to have an interface with which the average user, medical practitioner or laboratory staff, would be comfortable. The Windows 95 ® interface was chosen. The team set to work rewriting the entire suite adding design enhancements to cater for the years ahead, including the use of the millennium and century in all date fields. In November 1998, after nearly 4 years of rewriting, version 2.0 was released.
Pathology Software SuiteLaboratory Information System (LIS)
This is the core of the suite and is required for patient registration. Test result input may be manual at a workstation or automated via on line analysers. After validation, results are distributed using the Result Distribution Server (RDS). The RDS processes all the required local print jobs, distributes facsimiles and e-mails to the Message Server, processes and exports PIT, On-Site and remote printing downloads. These files are distributed to individual practitioner or group practice mailboxes for file transfer using the practitioner's preference of File Transfer Protocol (FTP), e-mail, X400 etc. All file transfers, including e-mails, are encrypted.
Accounting
The Accounting module uses the data from the LIS to generate private accounts as well as direct billing (MedClaims) to the Health Insurance Commission (HIC). Private receipts are processed individually with HIC receipts being automated. The module includes the standard features of banking, accounts rendered and various financial summaries.
Histology and Cytology
These modules use the LIS data to register Histology and/or Cytology requests. Microscope slide labelling uses the registered data. Appropriate site and diagnosis classifications are registered. SnoMed® is used for Histology reports. Various reports are generated including Cervical Cytology follow-up, referrals, statistics, performance charts and Cervical Cytology Register (Pap Smear Registry) data transfers.
Transfusion Medicine (Blood Transfusion)
This module uses the LIS data to register patient blood groups, cross match and transfusion details as well as monitoring Blood Product stocks.
SoftwareCreditors' Ledger including electronic funds transfer (EFT) and cheque printing with remittance advices distributed by facsimile or e-mail, depending on the creditor's preference.
Payroll including EFT of all wages and distribution of funds to superannuation companies, employee creditors etc. The software processes group taxes, group certificates, annual and long service leave entitlements. The software has been specifically designed for a pathology laboratory practice.
Medical Library catalogues journals, bound and unbound, as well as texts.