Reducing post analytical error: perspectives on new formats for the blood sciences pathology report.

Abstract

Little has changed in the way we report pathology results from blood sciences over the last 50 years other than moving to electronic display from paper. In part, this is aspiration to preserve the format of a paper report in electronic format. It is also due to the limitations of electronic media to display the data. The advancement of web-based technologies and functionality of hand-held devices together with wireless and other technologies afford the opportunity to rethink data presentation with the aim of emphasising the message in the data, thereby modifying clinical behaviours and potentially reducing post-analytical error. This article takes the form of a commentary which explores new developments in the field of infographics and, together with examples, suggests some new approaches to communicating what is currently just data into information. The combination of graphics and a new approach to provocative interpretative commenting offers a powerful tool in improving pathology utilisation. An additional challenge is the requirement to consider how pathology reports may be issued directly to patients.