Interfacing Types.
Uni-directional Devices Uni-directional device interfaces normally allow the lab technician to enter patient identifying information ( e.g., Medical Record Number (MRN, Name, Date of Birth and sex) using the device data entry function. The device will include this information when it transmits to the Apex LIS when the test is completed. When the LIS receives the patient identifying data it will the data to match the results against an existing order. Bi-directional Devices A Host Query interface is like a bi-directional interface with the addition that with a Host Query interface the analyzer can request information from the LIS (i.e., AU480). This is a more efficient system because the instrument reads the barcode on the specimen and "queries" the LIS for the test orders. The LIS will be listening on a communication port for queries and will download the requests only when needed . In cases where the LIS transmits data such a...