Lorraine V. Bernales
MY14- AA (LEC)
The Laboratory Information System and Laboratory Information Management System
What is a Laboratory Information System (LIS)?
A Laboratory Information System (LIS) is a healthcare software that was created as a “turn-key” system. It processes and stores patient data in relevance with laboratory testing and processing. This software gives the laboratory total control over everyday operations through its primary functions that are controlled interactively on a computer.
There are 14 major functions of a laboratory information system: registration of test requests, production of specimen collection sheets and identification labels, confirmation of specimen collection, production of aliquot labels, workload inquiry, production of worksheets, manual entry of test results, automated entry of test results, results inquiry, preliminary report, final report, daily activities reports, statistical reports, billing.
System security is provided along three directions: data entry validation, system access control, and memory protection.
The main advantages of LIS are: reduced clerical work, better evaluation of workload, faster communication, improvement of information given to the clinician: adapted reference values, interpretation, comments, improved retrieval operations, faster billing.
Laboratory Information Management (Theoretical Development)
In the early 1980s, LIMS were developed in research and development departments or on contract with external software companies to be used as Quality Assurance/QCQ&A tool for pharmaceutical and related industries.
The latest generation of LIMS moves away from sample testing and results management in order to give the laboratory a sophisticated laboratory informatics architecture that allows all data and information created or used within the lab to be managed allowing for effective management of product delivery and optimising its functioning.
Laboratory operations and data are managed via LIMS. It offers a central database for the archival and retrieval of data pertaining to samples/test units, tests, and test results. Additionally, LIMS enables laboratories to exchange information and assets with other departments or facilities.
By giving laboratories access to tools for monitoring progress, controlling workflow, and enforcing standard operating procedures, LIMS can increase productivity and quality control.
LIMS is crucial when taking into account the numerous facets of lab management, including Quality Assurance, ISO 17025 requirements, and Audits, you can see the significance of a LIMS. These might shut you down, ruin your lab, or cost you a lot of money in fines. By installing a LIMS system inside their test labs, labs can prevent these problems. Have monitoring, visibility, searchability into data and tests, and much more to make spot checks easier.
By automating human operations and decreasing the need for paper records, LIMS can also assist in cost reduction. Thus, LIMS is crucial in enhancing the effectiveness and standard of laboratory operations.

References:
Forest, J. C., Rheault, C., & Dang-Vu, T. K. (1985). The Laboratory Information System (LIS): I-Application to the clinical chemistry laboratory. Clinical biochemistry, 18(2), 78–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0009-9120(85)80085-0
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advantages-laboratory-information-management-system-
Prasad, P. J., & Bodhe, G. L. (2012). Trends in laboratory information management system. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 118, 187-192.
Sepulveda, J. L., & Young, D. S. (2013). The ideal laboratory information system. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine, 137(8), 1129–1140. https://doi.org/10.5858/arpa.2012-0362-RA