A system of microbiology reporting by computer which is simple to operate and provides accurate, rapid reporting of laboratory results with provisions for permanent data storage, retrieval, and other programs is described. The system uses a coded, fixed data storage format, yet it is accessible to most hospitals since the equipment needed may be rented from commercial sources. It is ideally suited for contracting laboratories, geographically separate from the patient care area, but may also be used by multiple laboratories with teletype facilities available. The principal advantage of this system of reporting is the utilization of the fixed formatted data cards, allowing development of almost unlimited programs, for use with information held in the data bank.