The BACTLAB system - a data system for bacteriological routine.

Abstract

An implemented version of a data system for routine bacteriology is described which uses punch cards to capture all administrative data and OMR (optical mark recognition) documents for the bacteriological findings: diagnosis, antibiotic sensitivity patterns, phage type etc. The output includes reports for the customers and report lists for the laboratory, as well as surveys over findings of pertinent bacteria produced twice each month. In addition bills are produced at regular intervals, both for hospitals and for private patients. All results are stored on magnetic tape in order to make later analysis possible. The system has also been adapted for use in a research project for the study of postoperative infections.