Cost effectiveness of laboratory instrument/computer interface.
A method for determining when, and for which laboratory instruments, direct interfacing with a computer is cost-effective is presented. Differences between automatic and manual inputting of laboratory test results are discussed, and costs and benefits of on-line instrumentation are analyzed. A complete theoretical model for analyzing projected benefits is described, along with a simplified version based on estimates of the time involved for both manual and automated systems.
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000191:economics*; D004526:Efficiency; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014481:United States