Electronic karyotype transmission

Abstract

The Internet offers a wealth of resources for clinical geneticists. Literally millions of sources of specialized information, search engines, listserves, patient support resources, and online conferencing are available and enhance knowledge, efficiency, and patient care. For the clinical cytogeneticist, internet transmission of high resolution karyotypes and FISH images provides another valuable electronic tool. Pictures can be downloaded from an imaging system onto a floppy disk and e-mailed after removal of patient identifiers. They can be viewed with a simple graphics program and the results quickly reported via return email or telephone. This remote case review by the laboratory director or a designee solves the majority of laboratory coverage problems and maintains turnaround time and efficiency. In addition it provides immediate karyotypes or FISH images when consultation is needed. Emailing of images allows sharing of data among colleaques regardless of differences in computerized image will require microscope the few drawback