Laboratory Information System – Where are we Today?

Abstract

SummaryWider implementation of laboratory information systems (LIS) in clinical laboratories in Serbia has been initiated ten years ago. The first LIS in the Railway Health Care Institute has been implemented nine years ago. Before the LIS was initiated, manual admission procedures limited daily output of patients. Moreover, manual entering of patients data and ordering tests on analyzers was problematic and time consuming. After completing tests, laboratory personnel had to write results in patient register (with potential errors) and provide invoices for health insurance organisation. First LIS brought forward some advantages with regards to these obstacles, but it also showed various weaknesses. These can be summarised in rigidity of system and inability to fulfil user expectation. After 4 years of use, we replaced this system with another LIS. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to evaluate advant ages of using LIS in laboratory of the Railway Health Care Institute and also to discuss further possibilities for its application. After implementing LIS, admission procedure has proven to be much faster. LIS enabled electronic requests, barcoded specimens prevent identification errors, bidirectional interface replaces redundant data entry steps, QC data are transferred automatically, results are electronically validated and automatically archived in data base, billing information is transferred electronically, and more. We also use some advanced options, like delta check, HIL feature, quality indicators and various types of reports. All steps in total testing process are drastically improved after the implementation of LIS, which had a positive impact on the quality of issued laboratory results. However, we expect development of some new features in the future, for example auto-verification and inventory management. On the example of the laboratory of the Railway Health Care Institute, we show that it is crucial that laboratory specialists have the main role in defining desirable characteristics of LIS which institution aims to buy. This paper suggests that the main feature of LIS should be the flexibility of system and capability of adjustment to user needs and requests.

Recent Advancement of Clinical Information Systems: Opportunities and Challenges

“…They foster accuracy and accessibility to the flow of samples and data in clinical laboratories. Physicians may easily track each step in the testing process, from the administration of tests to the receipt of test results which supports timely decision-making and diagnosis 44 . It is important to enable bi-directional interfaces between LISs and other information systems such as EHRs to ensure a seamless flow of information ranging from test ordering to results storing for clinical decision support 45 46 .…”

Clinical laboratory services for primary healthcare centers in urban cities: a pilot ACO model of ten primary healthcare centers

“…In this model having an out-reach program for the laboratory services with pre-defined testing menu that was based on the best practices was found to be more efficient and gave better quality and utilization of the services as shown by the improved KPIs result as well as the increased demands over time. Interventions related to closing the communication gap between PHC physicians and the KFMC lab and the introduction of the LIS system made the requesting and result reception a lean process [33]. Communicating the potentials of this piloted model and presenting the KPI results to the PHC directors aided in securing the proper support for going forward with this model, which was reflected in the gradual increase of the samples tested from month to month (Fig.…”

“…This may also decrease specimen rejections due to specimen integrity or deterioration of analytes, this may overcome urgent specimen transportation issues, that we may face in this current model [32]. Moreover, the continuation of establishment of an LIS system across PHCs will help in minimizes labeling errors, unifies test request practices, serves as a communication platform for results and rejection, provides data extraction for quality and performance analysis, and is standardized and protected [24,33,34]. Lastly the, utilization of personnel time is an area to focus on in the future as it may positively impact the cost of services.…”

COVID-19 Diagnostic Strategies Part II: Protein-Based Technologies

“…Conversely, the rest of these kits require a specific instrument for the detection step. Although the visual detection is simpler and cost-effective requiring less equipment, the reader-based tests have the advantage of getting the results automatically from the analyzer and releasing the results sending messages and posting the results to the patient file by integrating Laboratory Information System (LIS) to their detecting system [ 127 ].…”