title: Computer analysis and integration of animal pathology data.
abstract: Computer storage of data from toxicology, biochemistry, haematology and pathology has been found necessary in our Laboratory in order to handle the vast amount of information generated by animal toxicology studies. The value of the system to pathology is enormous and its potential has not been exhausted. All finding, from organ weights and macroscopic observations made at autopsy, to the final histopathological diagnosis made by the pathologist are computerized. A modified version of the American College of Pathologists' systematized nomenclature of pathology is used. The pathologist recordtor whose role in the system is indispensable. The designation of a pathologist with special responsibility for supervising the computerisation and its scientific validity ensures its smooth running. The integration of data from haematology and clinical chemistry as a profile for each animal is available to the pathologist when making the final diagnosis. The system has resulted in a standardisation of pathological terminology, greater speed and improved accuracy in report formulation, the establishment of a readily retrievable in-house data bank and an enormous saving in the time of pathologists and secretaries.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D010336:Pathology / Q000379:methods*