Rochell Jane M. Banjao
MT14 – AA
Learning through writing: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills through writing assignments

A Glimpse to the Laboratory Information System World
Laboratory information system composes three words that build on their meaning and function. The three words are Laboratory, Information, and System. We first tackle the individual meaning of these words to understand LIS.
According to the dictionary, a laboratory has equipment and chemicals essential for performing experiments, tests, and analysis of specimens to discover new things. Information is the data collected, sorted, and processed about something or someone. A system is a set of related principles and procedures that work together to achieve a specific goal.
To summarize, a laboratory information system is a software solution that stores and manages the collected, sorted, and processed data related to the patients undergoing the laboratory’s tests. These information systems manage the delivery of services and hold essential data needed for the smooth running of the laboratory.
Aside from the information above about the LIS, here are highlights of the software’s uses.
One usage of the software is that it focuses on keeping the information collected secure and allows easy access to the patient’s information. LIS also helps track a patient’s journey, status, and results. LIS is not only about the patient’s well-being but also holds the information of the field and place which handles the patient. For the LIS to achieve its purpose, it comprises several significant components.
There are three major components of the laboratory information system. The first one is sample tracking, which tracks the sample from the time of its arrival in the laboratory through the medical processes and testing. Sample tracking may include recording all data related to the sample, like its identification, source, collecting date, quantitative information like the concentration and volume, and where the sample was throughout its lifecycle in the laboratory.
The second essential component of the laboratory information system is the protocol execution. This component ensures that each laboratory tech adheres to the steps published by the SOP or Standard Operating Procedures when processing a sample, disregarding who took and is processing the sample. This specific component ensures that all the staff does the proper steps in the correct sequence when running a test or procedure.
The third and final component is the storage organization. The LIS’s storage organization component tracks a sample’s location throughout its laboratory lifecycle. Moreover, the system keeps track of what specific drawer the box containing the sample is in and which location is a specific rack in the laboratory. Storage organization lets the staff know where the lab samples are productive, arranged, and efficient.
There are five stages in the LIMS process to do its function. The first is to input the data after collecting it from the patient. The next step is assigning and tracking the sample and its analytical workload. Next comes the processing and quality control related to the sample and data storage. Last is the data’s inspection, approval, and compilation for future processing and analysis.
In conclusion, a Laboratory Information Management System helps laboratories maintain organization and manage data by customizing workflows for patients and samples.

References:
• https://thirdwaveanalytics.com/blog/what-does-a-lims-do/#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20Core%20Components,paper%20and%20a%20massive%20spreadsheet.
• https://vbmonster.com/core-components-of-laboratory-information-management-system/
• https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/industrial_engineering_software/engineering_scientific_software/laboratory_information_management_systems_lims
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/laboratory-information-system
• https://www.illumina.com/informatics/infrastructure-pipeline-setup/lims.html#:~:text=A%20Laboratory%20Information%20Management%20System,manage%20samples%20and%20associated%20information.
• https://mocdoc.in/blog/what-is-laboratory-information-management-system