Why should you Invest in a Lab Information Management System?

1. Why should you invest in a Lab Information Management System? By Sowmya

2. A Lab Management Software is simply a tool that can ease the operations involved in modern laboratories by automating most of them. As an all-inclusive software including lab management system, ERP tools, data analytics tool and virtual software, LIMS efficiently works out on the laboratory informatics. While each of the operations involved in LIMS is possible manually, why should one choose the software? Here is why:

3. 1. LIMS is Error-free Being error-free is the first and most important feature of LIMS software. Lab management being a tedious process involving many stages, the probability of data mismatch, incorrect readings and erroneous updates are more when manually handled. Hence, an automated system such as Lab Information Management Software can largely help in ensuring record precision.

4. 2. Centralized data access LIMS extends ease of access to patient records and reports. Thus, any referencing or verification of patient details can be done in a jiffy, or shared with clinicians, technicians, and others instantly. It furthermore auto-updates critical values and crisis situations, thus ensuring immediate attention to the demanding cases.

5. 3. Integrate with Instruments Analysis and testing performed on clinical instruments can be directly linked with the Lab Information Management System. And LIMS shall automatically obtain test results from the instrument and store them in its primary database which can then be shared, reviewed and maintained at any point of time. This completely eliminates the need for manual handling that has very high chances of errors and be extremely time-consuming.

6. 4. Instant updates to patients and patient satisfaction Without having to move to and fro for obtaining lab test results, patients get auto-updated through SMS or email (as opted). Concise test results are sent as SMS or emails with PDF attachment. The software also keeps patients informed of the progress of laboratory testing from time to time which helps them gain confidence and affirm about the progress. And invoicing are done upon completion of process.

7. 5. Sample Tracking LIMS initiates a track record of the samples right at the point when sample is collected from patients. The records maintained includes clinical reports, phenotypic information, freezer location, etc. In many cases, the freezer location is fed in detail such that the row, column, rack, box and shelf are precisely specified. The software tool maintains thorough track record of all freeze cycles and thaw cycles that the sample gets subjected to, details of collection centre, clinician/lab technician who handled the sample, sample movement tracking, and so on. With these information, LIMS makes 100% sure that the sample does not get mismatched or lost at any point of time during the entire course of process.

8. 6. Improve TAT The overall time required from the start when the sample is collected until the reports are shared with patients/clinicians for further procedures, the manual handling is reduced, thus reducing error and the need for cross-verification at various points. LIMS also automatically manages and calibrates medical instruments connected with it, and auto-updates in case of alarming readings/reports. This improves the overall Turnaround Time of the entire process.

9. 7. Hassle-free workflow LIMS automates workflow and record maintenance, thus saving a lot of time. As you codify the processes with LIMS, the software instructs as to which instrument is to be used next, which technician is supposed to handle the process in the following phase, and so on. Hence, manual intervention to instruct or direct record movement and tracking are largely cut. In other words, LIMS manages and assigns works to the lab technician and makes the process hassle-free on the whole.

10. 8. Quicker Workflow LIMS allows impeccable access to Doctors and Patients with their respective login portals. It has preset templates to generate and send across invoice for patients and labs. Further, it is also easy to make comparative analysis with the convenience of setting against previous reports and patient history, thus making enabling quicker workflow on the whole.

11. 9. Productive LIMS increases throughput and thus acts very productively. Automatically, the lab test results are shared across users. And the patient history can be quickly referred to. The reports are synchronized with the physician EMR for quick access. In cases of abnormalities, automatic updates and alerts are raised without the need for manual intervention. The software also enables digital signing and cuts down on the wait time for approving a physical document.

12. 10. Quality Control Through the course of testing, the machine-driven analysis remains subject to change and may demand calibrations. With the help of effective Quality Control measures, identifying variations becomes very easy. Simply put, Quality Control helps in ensuring accuracy and precision of data. Furthermore, QC results are stored as database and can be set against actual results, thus enabling complete control over deviations or errors, if any. With NABL and other lab accreditations, the quality of results and the workflow are guaranteed.