Cheska H. Dayuday
MT 14- Section BB
Laboratory Information Systems in Healthcare
Technology has made a major impact on current work and lifestyle. As large companies continue to develop new automated machinery, we will soon utilize technology in every aspect of our lives. We’ve already seen how technology has revolutionized the field of business. Now, it’s also changing some of the major processes within healthcare. One of which is how the healthcare sector collects and organizes its patients’ records.
The laboratory information system (LIS) is a manual or computerized system used to store and manage data from various medical processes in the hospital. With the advent of revolutionized technology computer-based information systems are becoming more common in health care institutions. Its main function is to ensure that clinical information about patients is effectively organized within its database. LIS handles data such as test results, patient demographics, and inpatient and outpatient entry in different laboratory areas. For instance, in blood-banking the LIS plays a crucial role in labeling the sample and ensuring that the results of the compatibility test of the donor and recipient are received by the patient. It is vital that these medical data are always updated since information from the system is mainly used to coordinate workflow and patient diagnosis and treatment.

To ensure the effective storage of accurate data within a computer-based laboratory information system, its database consists of two major components. These two basic components of the LIS are the hardware and software. The hardware refers to the external and tangible components of the computer-based system. There are several important components that make up a computer system. Input devices, like keyboards and bar-code readers, are used to provide information to the computer. The CPU or central processing unit controls most of the operations in the different storage and operation within the computer and is responsible for processing data and organizing and storing these data into useful information. The CPU can either be a standalone mainframe or be embedded in a single-unit desktop computer. Moreover, output devices, such as printers and CRT screens, are used to display information to users. These elements all perform different operations that work together to maintain the system.

On the other hand, Software in computing refers to programs and instructions that guide a computer’s operations. It’s crucial for users to choose software that aligns with their intended applications, with options ranging from prepackaged programs to customized solutions. Software falls into two primary categories: applications software, designed for specific user needs like word processing or inventory management, and systems software, responsible for controlling the computer’s operating system. Programming languages are used to create software, allowing human-readable instructions that are later translated into binary-coded machine language, the only language the CPU understands. Machine language is composed of bytes, each consisting of eight bits representing binary digits 0 or 1, forming codes for numbers, letters, or symbols. These software programs help in collectively improving the flow of the system operations in the computer-based information system.

Healthcare institutions heavily rely on laboratory information systems as their backbone. The hardware and software elements of the systems play a crucial role for the system to operate its function. Moreover, these components also play a crucial role in improving patient diagnosis and treatment. It is essential to integrate these systems to manage the complex operations of modern healthcare laboratories. With the current modernization of technology in healthcare, computer-based laboratory information systems will become even more vital in ensuring that patients receive quality care and treatment.

References:
Varnadoe, Lionel A., Medical Laboratory Management and Supervision: Operations, Review and Study Guide, Philadelphia: Elsevier Inc., 1996.