A new software tool has been developed for communication between the MCW Laboratory of Dermatopathology and its clients. The software should prove faster and more responsive than our old system. Also, it includes much new functionality, such as the following:

• Reports can be searched by diagnosis, as well as by name, surgery date, and specimen number.
• All of the components of a report, including text, images, and audio, can be examined. The software includes an image viewer with zooming and printing capabilities and an audio player.
• New reports can be listed. In this list, reports are tagged by degree of urgency. Once viewed, reports are removed from the "new" list.
• Pending reports can be examined, with status information.
• Pathology slips can be submitted electronically. Data can be copied into a new slip from an existing report or slip. A slip can easily be cloned, e.g. when submitting more than one specimen on the same patient. Clinical images can be attached to a slips, and the images can be annotated (to mark the site of a biopsy, for example) using a built-in annotator. There is also a built-in audio recorder, which allows audio comments to be attached to a slip.
• Pending slips can be examined and edited, until the specimen is accessioned. (After the case is accessioned it becomes a "pending report", and can be examined with current status information, but not edited by the client.)
• Supplies can be requested
• Messages can be sent to members of the professional, technical, or clerical staff of the laboratory, regarding specific cases or general matters. This is a secure messaging system (not e-mail).
• All communications are encrypted, the connection to the lab is automatically terminated after a period of inactivity, and there are various other features to assure patient confidentiality and compliance with relevant federal and state regulations.

The applet can be launched from http://www.dp.mcw.edu/DermpathApplet.html (you may want to bookmark this reference). However, please read the installation notes before trying to start the software.