Changing technologies in the reference laboratory.

Changes in technology will have a profound impact on specialized reference laboratories. In their research and development efforts, reference laboratories will have to pursue the incorporation of the technologies of molecular and cell biology into clinical practice. Computers can be applied to the management of clinical laboratory data bases and to the organization of scientific and clinical knowledge for medical consultation. Because of the distance between the site of acquisition of referred specimens and the laboratory, research on analyte stability is needed. Computer networking will help to solve problems of inadequacy of clinical information, and bar code technology will address the problems of specimen identification. Finally, improved telecommunication will permit reference laboratories of the future to be true medical consultation centers rather than just technical analysis operations.