Centralized large-scale clinical testing in a commercial environment

This article will deal with the role of the large medical testing laboratory, and its increasing importance to the medical community. It will illustrate the necessary interrelationship of technological advances in instrumentation, transportation, and communication. The role of the computer with supporting electronic and electrical systems in handling a large volume of clinical test data will be outlined. From a scientific and economic standpoint, it will demonstrate the merits of volume testing in the areas of quality control, speed, and cost per test. Good business practices and the importance of continuing research, continuing education, continuing growth as adjuncts of the large clinical testing laboratory will be noted. It will show the ability of the large medical testing laboratory, with private capitalization, vision and sound management to keep pace with the demands of physicians for test data for patient diagnosis, evaluation and treatment, today and in the future.