Khai Margaritte I. Partosa
MT 14 Lec – CC

A Laboratory Information System (LIS) is a system that connects people in workplaces. This includes hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. It is a type of system that contains people, procedures, hardware, software, and data. Its purpose is to manage data. As well as keeping track of the resources of a workplace. It also improves the organization’s process and its existing systems.
Additionally, it records, stores, and updates the information gathered from patients. This process is being done when a patient does their medical testing.
Because of having this system in such places, it helps increase the staff’s workflow. As it provides medical professionals with easier access to all the data they need.
Moreover, the Laboratory Information System contains three (3) major components. The components include Sample Tracking, Protocol Execution, and Storage Organization. These three critical features are the main ways of processing data. Without these, data collection would be chaotic.
Sample Tracking is when data, from the moment it enters the system, is being tracked. This data includes the patient’s ID, date of collection, and quantification information. Additionally, it captures not only the data gathered but also who interacted with it.
Up next is Protocol Execution. This component makes sure that the staff are following the steps and procedures. These steps and procedures are in a published SOP. This ensures that all lab personnel obey the proper way of collecting and running a sample.
Last but not least, Storage Organization. This is when a specific sample is being tracked. This component organizes and maintains track of where each specimen or vial is in.
The Laboratory Information System (LIS) and the Laboratory Information Management System or LIMS are similar. The only thing that makes them different from each other is that the Laboratory Information System is only limited to healthcare and medical regulations. On the other hand, the Laboratory Information Management System focuses on the standards and rules for a certain product’s quality and safety.
How this works is that a LIMS records all the information related to a sample. When it enters the system, it records the ID of the person. As well as its collection date, its source, its concentration, and its volume. Each sample is then placed with a barcode, used, and read during storage. It is also used to keep track of the sample at any point in its lifecycle while in the system. Moreover, information such as who interacted with the sample is also recorded. An audit trail is well maintained as well.
This is how the LIMS works and it is quite simple. But, behind this is a complex system for it to work. Standing the Laboratory Information System is vital when working in health-related workplaces. Having the knowledge on this is crucial to prevent errors from happening too.
Laboratory Information Systems is an important matter when it comes to health care. It provides efficiency and reliability to the job. As well as enhancing and improving the experience for both personnel and patients. In conclusion, LIS is a helpful tool, especially in today’s generation.

Resources:
Cloud LIMS. (2023). LIMS 101: All Your Questions Answered. https://cloudlims.com/what-does-the-lims-stand-for-and-who-uses-a-lims-system/#:~:text=Upon%20entry%20of%20a%20sample,time%20in%20the%20sample%20lifecycle.
Third Wave Analytics. (2023). What is a LIMS and What are They Used for? https://thirdwaveanalytics.com/blog/what-does-a-lims-do/#:~:text=A%20good%20LIMS%20has%20three,paper%20and%20a%20massive%20spreadsheet.
Clinisys, Inc. (2023). The future of LIS and LIMS. https://www.clinisys.com/us/en/clinisys-platform/laboratory-platform-the-future-for-lis-and-lims/#:~:text=An%20LIS%20is%20typically%20limited,%2C%20public%20health%2C%20and%20environmental.