RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The Birmingham Histopathology Data Pool: a co-operative project among 10 laboratories. JF Journal of Clinical Pathology JO J Clin Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 1110 OP 1118 DO 10.1136/jcp.30.12.1110 VO 30 IS 12 A1 Codling, B W A1 Alexander, M K A1 Parker, R G A1 Curran, R C YR 1977 UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/30/12/1110.abstract AB In 1970 the Birmingham Histopathology Data Pool was established to collect information on biopsies of surgical specimens from three hospitals. The scheme has gradually expanded and 10 hospitals now participate. The pathologist gives each specimen a numerical code based on the Systematised Nomenclature of Pathology (SNOP). The information is processed by computer and stored on cumulative magnetic tape file. At regular intervals (at three, six, and nine months) 'printouts' listing all the information recorded within the interval are produced and a cumulative print-out is issued when the information for a whole year is complete. The data pool system has provided accurate alphabetical and SNOP diagnostic files and has simplified retrieval of data for both follow-up and research purposes. The pathologist may use the computer to retrieve and analyse information from the data pool for this own use or on behalf of clinicians, but he may use information from laboratories other than his own for research purposes and publication only with the permission of the pathologists who submitted the data.