Application of AutoHotkey to Enhance Data Entry into the Laboratory Information System
Liron Pantanowitz ; Baystate Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine;
Content:
Manual data entry into a laboratory information system (LIS) can be tedious, time-consuming, and prone to errors. This is especially true for systems requiring long sequences of keystrokes to accomplish specific tasks. Prior techniques to improve efficiency and accuracy of data entry into the LIS included barcoded phrase sheets and/or keyboard macros (fastkeys) to automate the entry of commonly used keystroke sequences. Unfortunately this technique was hindered by the limited number of fastkeys available. AutoHotkey is an open source macro-making utility for Windows used to create hotkeys (shortcut keystrokes) that perform a predefined function (sequence of computing instructions). Multiple hotkeys and combinations (hotstrings) can now be created and run simultaneously. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of AutoHotkey could improve LIS data entry in the microbiology laboratory.
Technology:
Networked workstations (Dell OPTIPLEX GX620 or 745 computers), Windows operating system (Microsoft Windows XP Professional); LIS (Sunquest v6.2); AutoHotkey (AutoHotkey.com).
Design:
AutoHotkey was downloaded from the Internet onto thick-client workstations in the microbiology laboratory at Baystate Medical Center, that performs testing and reports on clinical specimens using Sunquest LIS. Scripts (plain text files containing commands) were created to generate keyboard hotkeys that execute sequential data entry for culture workup and billing processes.
Results:
Hotkeys demonstrated potential to improve productivity in the clinical microbiology laboratory in multiple ways. Data entry for routine laboratory culture work into the LIS was faster and easier to perform, with certain procedures requiring up to 75 keystrokes reduced to only 2 keystrokes. Hotkeys standardized culture workups by minimizing/eliminating variability previously associated with individual preferences of technologists. Hotkeys automated billing processes previously requiring manual entry of bill only codes associated with some culture workups.
Conclusion:
AutoHotkey is free software that can be used in the clinical laboratory environment to script hotkeys and other macros for automating repetitive tasks in the LIS. The use of hotkeys for keystroke reduction offers an inexpensive and simple method to minimize errors and variability in data entry, as well as to minimize repetitive motion for technologists. This tool allows the efforts of skilled technologists to be most effectively utilized in todays busy laboratory environment.
