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Storage and coding of anatomic pathology data usually is accomplished by expensive main frame systems. The authors of this article have developed a microcomputer based program package for autopsy pathology which stores patient demographic data, provisional or final anatomic diagnoses, and coded diagnoses obtained from an on-line Systematized Nomenclature of Pathology (SNOP) code lexicon. The system includes limited text editor functions as well as rapid data retrieval with the generation of final reports. Data files containing SNOP codes and diagnoses are searched easily by a variety of parameters, making data retrieval of autopsy material simple and efficient.

We have developed an inexpensive, microcomputer-based, multiuser hard disk system for surgical pathology that uses a commercially available word processor and data base manager, linked together by several BASIC programs written by us. System functions include keyboard input of patient demographic data and specimen information, word processing with the generation of preliminary and final surgical reports, on-line access to the surgical pathology data base, generation of daily secretarial and histology log sheets, and computer-assisted SNOMED coding. Successful implementation of this system has produced greater efficiency and productivity in the surgical pathology department at a reasonable cost.