Incorporationof a SMAC Analyzer intothe Data-Processing Proceduresof a Computer-AssistedLaboratory

This paper describes the incorporation of a SMAC (Tech-nicon)analyzerintodata-processingtechniquesthathave been developed on existing computer hardware during several years. The SMAC system is interfaced directly to a small computer, and suitableperipheralsproduce a manageable form ofresulttabulationforsubsequent re-porting,as wellas providequality-controlinformationto the SMAC operators in real time. The design is such as to facilitatethe performance analysisof the SMAC system during its initiation period and during normal service op-eration. AdditIonal Keyphrases: computed quality control. ana-lytical systems data processing Installation of a SMAC continuous-flow analyzer (Technicon Instruments Corp., Tarrytown, NY 10591) by a clinical chemistry laboratory inevitably produces a major reorgani-zation problem for that laboratory. This is particularly true in relation to the magnitude of the impact on the data-pro-cessing services to the laboratory carried out by its computer system(s), if these have been developed around operational concepts radically different from those of a large sequential multichannel analyzer. Our laboratory provides the clinical chemistry service to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, a regional hospital with 1100 beds, and to associated smaller institutions. Up to the time of SMAC introduction, computer systems had been developed within the laboratory to undertake #{149}monitoring and calculational functions associated with a laboratory consisting of single and multiple grouped Technicon AutoAnalyzer type I and II systems (1, 2), performing 500 000 tests per year; #{149}scheduling the workload to the analytical stations throughout the laboratory (3), and the subsequent sta-tistics associated with the source, frequency, and range of tests required; and #{149}provision of retrospective graphical quality-control analysis. The degree of computer assistance had evolved over a pe-riod of several years, with the tasks developed being depen-dent on the facilities and equipment available at any partic-ular time