Presented at the 1999 APIII Conference Return to 1999 Abstract Index
RELATIONAL DATABASE FOR SPECIALIZED LABORATORY
University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas
Cheryl Hirsch-Ginsberg
MD
Background: The Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
at UTMD Anderson Cancer Center began operations in 1988
with Appletalk linked Macintosh SE computers using a database
which was abandoned due to poor performance. In 1991 a relational
database was developed, using existing hardware and 4th
Dimension software (version 3.0)(ACI US Inc. Cupertino CA),
which currently contains 25,600 individual test records.
Design: The files include: Patient information file linked by hospital number to Specimen information file linked by specimen number to Test information file with the test ID number is linked the more work needed file and the daily action file. Each file contains multiple input and output layouts. To complement the full database, a "runtime" version is also available which has customized menus and automatic display and print functions.
Results: Use of the database enabled conversion from an error prone "pen and paper" based system, to a system which generates legible diagnoses for input into the LIS, and facilitates data collection for research, utilization review and workload capture purposes. The system has proven adaptable, in terms of the ability to add new tests and new layouts, and in terms of ability to transfer to newer more powerful machines (Mac IISI to Power Mac 8600/200). Medical technologists with little previous computer training are able to modify layouts and pull down menus obviating the imposition of extra burdens on the LIS staff. The excellent data recovery system has prevented serious data loss during the 8 years of operation.
Conclusions: The 4th Dimension relational database development program provides many of the computer needs of a molecular diagnostic laboratory. Newer versions of the program and more powerful machines have improved speed without requiring additional programming. The currently running version (6.0.5) has a Client -Server mode, allowing multiple simultaneous users in a completely cross platform environment utilizing Windows based or Macintosh machines as Server or client. There is also Web server functionality and plug-ins which allow communication with enterprise databases (ie Oracle). In summary, a robust relational database development program can facilitate computerization of specialized laboratories which are poorly served by large commercial Laboratory Information Systems.
