“LIS IN THE MEDICAL SCENE”
By: Allianah Junnice F. Bolotaulo
MT 14 – AA (LEC)

ABOUT LIS

Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) continue to prove their significance in the medical field. It is the “sum” of software, hardware, people, procedures, and data. LIS manages all the information that hospitals and medical laboratories receive each day.

LIS is not limited to addressing the needs of the laboratory alone for it extends its aid to the customers as well. After all, they are also involved in the process. They have their samples taken and wait for their results.

According to Forest et al. (1985), LIS has over fourteen major functions in managing the daily laboratory operations. Among the list are three tasks that are familiar to freshman health science students.

One, LIS can register test requests. The first rule of working in a laboratory is always filling out the correct forms before tests. These request forms include patient background information.

Two, organization of daily activity reports. All tools and equipment used in a laboratory become accounted for. Along with this are the record of tasks done by employees from the moment they step in and out of the workplace.

Three, billing. There is a tendency to overlook the finances area of the laboratory as they seem to be separate. Yet, LIS also covers the receipt of payments and detailed records for accounting.

Other functions of laboratory include specimen collection sheet, identification label, and worksheet production. Writing of preliminary, final and statistical reports also apply. There is still manual input and inquiry of results too (Forest et al., 1985).

Due to these, lab potential is being increased. Communication is being made faster too with the efficient management of data. There is easier access to data and reduced clerical work. Business transactions of the laboratory are also given the enough attention needed.

LIS MAJOR COMPONENTS

Specimen tracking is the first among the three components of an LIS. There is a tracking of samples from receipt, processing, testing, reporting, until storage. With the LIS, protocols and algorithms for result determination are in place.

Protocol execution ensures that laboratorians follow the standard operating procedures put in place. The measures taken ensure that the results are accurate and good quality. There is a correct/specific order of working in the laboratory (Analytics, 2023).

Storage organization is the specific tracking of specimen. It is like inventories. Here, all materials have detailed descriptions on their origin, whereabouts, and current state. In the laboratory, there are records of the sample tube, box, and drawer where a specimen is (Analytics, 2023).

HOW A LIMS WORKS

According to MarcusCannon and MarcusCannon (2017), a LIMS can store information. Inspection number, batch material, time and date, test location, and more data to name a few. The information is being kept in an accessible area.

In a LIMS, a barcode is usually generated upon input of the initial sample data. Through this, the staff can scan the barcode again and add new data obtained. There is high accuracy in the updating and passing on of test results between the hospitals and the labs.

References:
Analytics, T. W. (2023). What is a LIMS and What are They Used for? Third Wave Analytics. https://thirdwaveanalytics.com/blog/what-does-a-lims-do/#:~:text=A%20good%20LIMS%20has%20three,paper%20and%20a%20massive%20spreadsheet.

Forest, J., Rheault, C., & Dang-Vu, T. (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

MarcusCannon, & MarcusCannon. (2017). What is a LIMS and What is it Used for? Laboratory Furniture Manufacturer, Supplier and Installer | InterFocus. https://www.mynewlab.com/blog/what-is-a-lims-and-what-is-it-used-for/#how