YNHH Laboratory Manual

The Department of Laboratory Medicine Computer Operations supports terminals at specific locations within the hospital, and provides direct access to the laboratory system through Clinical Workstations with pull down menus identified as *Clinical Labs".

These terminals provide access to laboratory results on individual specimens, graphs of recent laboratory results for single tests, and antibiotic susceptibility information on microorganisms

The inquiry program presents a main service menu:

            YNHH Clinical Laboratories Information System
                       S E R V I C E   M E N U

     Please, note the date, time, and patient ID of the specimens

C  Chemistry    results
H  Hematology   results
I  Immunology   results
M  Microbiology results
V  Virology     results
B  Blood bank   results
P  Prenatal     results
R  Blood Gas    results
L  Yale Labs    results
G  Graphic trend display

D  Date to work back from

U  new Unit number                        N  patient access by Name

S  Supplemental information
X  eXit

   Enter selection:

These are the main functions available. They are selected by entering a single letter, followed by the "Return" key

The "Return" key is abbreviated , and may be labeled on the keyboard as "Enter", "Return", "Carriage Return", or with a down and left broken arrow, depending on the terminal. It is located in the same position as the Carriage Return key on an electric typewriter, and has the analogous function of finishing an entry

Unit Number

Enter U to set the patient's unit number. The program will ask for the number; enter the 6 or 7 digits, without spaces or dashes, and press

Laboratory Results

Enter C, H, I, M, V, B, P, R, OR L to retrieve results for the current unit number from one of the laboratories. The test results for each specimen will be displayed in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. The starting date may be changed by entering D and the desired starting date, when prompted. The lab's data base goes back about one year and includes previous admissions and outpatient visits, so be sure to check the date on each specimen

Graphing of Results

Enter G to display a graph of results for a single test over time. The program will stay in whatever lab is current and ask you to pick a test number. A list of test numbers is displayed by typing L. The graph is limited to recent test results. The date range and reference range are displayed in the upper right portion of the screen

Supplemental Information

Entering S brings you to the supplementary information services menu:

         YNHH Clinical Laboratories Information System
            Supplementary Information Services Menu

C  computer based Consultation

A  Antibiotic susceptibilities

X  eXit to main menu

?  Display This Menu


  Enter selection:

It works like the main service menu. Functions are selected by entering a single letter, followed by the "Return" key

Antibiotic Susceptibilities

Enter A to retrieve statistical information on susceptibilities of microorganisms isolated at YNHH to selected antibiotics. You will be prompted to enter an organism name. If you enter a name which could refer to more than one organism, you will be asked to choose from a numbered menu. Enter the number corresponding to the organism you are interested in. If 50 or more isolates were observed for a subject organism during the previous three month period, the susceptibility pattern obtained for that three month period is used; otherwise, the pattern for the past twelve months is used

In general, the antibiotic susceptibility of a subject organism is displayed as a percentage of the total number of isolates tested. However, if the total number of isolates is less than 50, the susceptibility is displayed as a fraction, in order to indicate a lesser level of statistical significance.

Updated: Oct-2007