Streamlined sign-out of capillary protein electrophoresis using middleware and an open-source macro application

Gagan Mathur; Thomas H Haugen; Scott L Davis; Matthew D Krasowski

doi:10.4103/2153-3539.141990

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Streamlined sign-out of capillary protein electrophoresis using middleware and an open-source macro application

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Streamlined sign-out of capillary protein electrophoresis using middleware and an open-source macro application

Gagan Mathur, Thomas H Haugen, Scott L Davis and Matthew D Krasowski

Journal of pathology informatics, Vol.5(1), pp.36-36

01/01/2014

DOI: 10.4103/2153-3539.141990

PMCID: PMC4204301

PMID: 25337433

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Abstract

Background: Interfacing of clinical laboratory instruments with the laboratory information system (LIS) via "middleware" software is increasingly common. Our clinical laboratory implemented capillary electrophoresis using a Sebia(®) Capillarys-2™ (Norcross, GA, USA) instrument for serum and urine protein electrophoresis. Using Data Innovations Instrument Manager, an interface was established with the LIS (Cerner) that allowed for bi-directional transmission of numeric data. However, the text of the interpretive pathology report was not properly transferred. To reduce manual effort and possibility for error in text data transfer, we developed scripts in AutoHotkey, a free, open-source macro-creation and automation software utility. Materials and methods: Scripts were written to create macros that automated mouse and key strokes. The scripts retrieve the specimen accession number, capture user input text, and insert the text interpretation in the correct patient record in the desired format. Results: The scripts accurately and precisely transfer narrative interpretation into the LIS. Combined with bar-code reading by the electrophoresis instrument, the scripts transfer data efficiently to the correct patient record. In addition, the AutoHotKey script automated repetitive key strokes required for manual entry into the LIS, making protein electrophoresis sign-out easier to learn and faster to use by the pathology residents. Scripts allow for either preliminary verification by residents or final sign-out by the attending pathologist. Conclusions: Using the open-source AutoHotKey software, we successfully improved the transfer of text data between capillary electrophoresis software and the LIS. The use of open-source software tools should not be overlooked as tools to improve interfacing of laboratory instruments.

Technical Note

open-source software

instrumentation

Capillary electrophoresis

laboratory information system

middleware

Details

Title: Subtitle: Streamlined sign-out of capillary protein electrophoresis using middleware and an open-source macro application
Creators: Gagan Mathur - Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Thomas H Haugen - Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Scott L Davis - Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Matthew D Krasowski - Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of pathology informatics, Vol.5(1), pp.36-36
DOI: 10.4103/2153-3539.141990
PMID: 25337433
PMCID: PMC4204301
NLM abbreviation: J Pathol Inform
ISSN: 2229-5089
eISSN: 2153-3539
Publisher: Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; India
Language: English
Date published: 01/01/2014
Academic Unit: Pathology
Record Identifier: 9984047624502771

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