LabWizard helps busy doctors

Have you ever thought how much pathology results depend on computer programs operating behind the scenes? Computers link you, the patient, the testing equipment, the results and the pathology staff who are performing the tests into a big, seamless team.

Mater Pathology has recently invested in a brand new expert system called LabWizard to really improve this information link. LabWizard is a brand new software program that can learn as it experiences new situations. It is a type of artificial intelligence.

Currently, the program has been set up to look for certain combinations of results and patient demographics. It then saves this information as a “cornerstone case” and compares all further results to this. If the next case matches it exactly, then the system will add the pre-defined comment. If not, then it will flag the result for further attention. This process allows staff to then expand the number of scenarios the program is capable of detecting and commenting on.

A number of tests have been set up in this way including thyroid function tests and Epstein Barr virus serology, with the more exciting and complex testing such as hepatitis serology to come. The range of parameters that the system can look at is very wide and can look back at previous results, other associated results or even clinical notes associated with the tests, so automatic links can be created to help your patients.

For further information about this new system, please contact Mr Lee Schreiweis, Manager Kestral Support Unit, at Mater Pathology on +61 7 3163 8500.