Learning through writing: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills through writing assignments

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In the last few decades, the introduction of automated systems opened doors for many different sectors. Medical laboratories, for one, acknowledged the recurring issues of exclusive reliance on manpower. This includes slow admission and delayed deliveries despite heavy demands. Hence, in reconciling fallible manual intervention, healthcare institutions embraced technology integration.

Enter Laboratory Information System (LIS), the answer to the needs of modern laboratories. Lukic (2017) defines laboratory information software as workflow facilitators in a clinical setting. It standardizes all laboratory enterprises, ensuring control and improving productivity in the lab.

Dedicated and flexible, LIS manages the regulatory and complicated nature of lab testing. It decreases transcription errors and contributes to productivity. However, in reality, the list of advantages of employing such platforms trails a long way.

In promoting efficiency, LIS ensures the highest level of performance in the lab. This is done through maximization of outputs and guaranteeing constant profitability. The possibility to share data access ensures a seamless flow of information to the necessary personnel.

Safety is also prioritized in an LIS. They guarantee responsible and confidential use of data, ensuring the inviolability of samples. User authentication and data encryption are features that traditional means cannot accomplish.

These lab virtues are further emphasized in its three components. As a software solution, LIS compensates complex laboratory processes through sample management, protocol execution, and data organization. They equip laboratories in distilling vast amounts of data for faster delivery.

The first, sample management, provides comprehensive records of each sample throughout its lifecycle. Quantitation information and time-based metrics are two examples of documented data. Through this, LIS mitigates the risk of expiration, contamination, and loss of samples.

Protocol execution, another aspect, configures all sequences by defining each procedural step. This ensures all personnel can execute the correct order of steps in running tests. In continuous integration, the system can provide an opportunity to import real-time diagnostics.

Finally, data organization centralizes the system to manage all the peripheral components. It enables the migration of archive files from one medium to another for more secure long-term storage. Not only does it reduce paper costs, but LIS also hastens file viewing and data circulation processes.

These components work together from the initial accession, sample processing, and results capturing. When linked in a single process, LIS highlights a crucial advantage of a single platform provision for various lab activities.

In the initial accession, sample management marks the pre-analytical stage. This phase may include specimen issues even before laboratory reception. Common problems are its handling and identification, where rigorous control measures by the first component bypass further downstream errors.

During the processing, instrument calibration and actual diagnostic procedures take place. The second component spearheads this process through task optimization and streamlining operations. The results are then recorded, sent through the approval queue, and distributed.

Its recording leads to the third process, results capturing. This post-analytic stage culminates in the production of lab results or pathology reports. Storage and inventory management also takes place through the third component.

From all the information mentioned, one can say that LIS plays a central role in the success of a laboratory. Through its components and processes, they can improve laboratory workflow efficiency and error-proofing. This is achieved by aiding in decision-making and ensuring consistent execution of procedures. Track, store, and update—LIS centralizes a sustainable solution for better productivity.

References:
Lukić, V. (2017). Laboratory Information System – Where are we Today? Journal of Medical Biochemistry, 36(3), 220–224. https://doi.org/10.1515/jomb-2017-0021

Orchard Software. (2023, July 19). What is LIS Software and How Does it Work? | Orchard Software. https://www.orchardsoft.com/resources/learn-about-lis/

Tenderhut Group. (n.d.). Laboratory Information Management Software. Solution 4 Labs. https://solution4labs.com/en/laboratory-information-management-software-lims-101

Third Wave Analytics. (2023, July 28). What is a LIMS and What are They Used for? Third Wave Analytics. https://thirdwaveanalytics.com/blog/what-does-a-lims-do/

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