Perspective on the clinical laboratory: new uses for informatics.

Enhanced capabilities of modern information systems will have a major impact on the way that clinical laboratories generate diagnostic information and transmit that information to their physician clients. This article provides a perspective on how some of the most imminent changes in informatics are likely to alter laboratory practices and to create new roles for the clinical laboratory through the ability to manage vast quantities of information. The areas covered include utilization of laboratory services, process control in the laboratory, interpretation of test results, and laboratory economics.