Are you trying to find a practical approach to handle a data flood in your lab? If so, you are not the only one.

Most laboratories have trouble keeping up with loads of data since they deal with enormous sample numbers. Unfortunately, it is this fight with data management that leads to errors. As a result, laboratories (like yours) must create and modify systems to automate regular processes to address data management concerns.

To manage such huge chunks of data, typical data management systems have been proven a failure as numerous errors are reported, where the test samples from a patient get mixed up with the other patient, inaccurate results, potential risk factors, and inappropriate hazard and incident reporting and storing.

Additionally, quick response times are crucial. Turnaround times (TAT) are employed in the clinical laboratory as a critical evaluation metric to assess how valuable a lab’s services are compared to those of its rivals. Therefore, everything that boosts your lab’s effectiveness provides you with an edge in the market.

A Laboratory Information System is crucial for any facility to generate such management systems and maintain extensive databases. To understand the benefits of LIS, you need to first ask yourself, “what is a laboratory information system?“

A comprehensive information system called a Laboratory Information System was created and organized to collect and handle the valuable data of commercial and medically relevant information from clinical and analytical laboratories. LIS is a vital piece of patient health information that significantly enhances patient treatment. The following are some benefits of LIS:

Real-time sample tracking

By offering real-time Stock Management and Specimen Preservation solutions, clinical laboratory software extends even beyond to cut your expenses and boost productivity.

Your technicians can scan barcode labels to assist the system in keeping track of counts and expiration dates as things are carried in and out of stock. In addition, reagent notifications will let consumers know when it’s time to place another order depending on the amount, expiration date, and lead time.

Users may find specimens easily using Specimen Storage when repeated testing is necessary. These strong choices will help speed up the auditing procedure so that your lab can retain its attention on the patient where it needs.

Time-Saving

The sample transfer procedure, which requires recording the samples to be delivered from the collecting center and re-registering after arrival at the processing center, takes up much time. Therefore, a powerful lab information system will feature a batch sheet-based sample tracking design, where each batch of samples transported to the handling facility is given a different bar code.

Critical reporting

With a unique auto-authorization tool that promptly authorizes reports with shared values, pathologists and physicians who review reports may save time. Only reports with aberrant results are forwarded for the doctor’s approval, significantly reducing effort and waiting times.

Elimination of human error

By combining lab gadgets and apparatus on a unified, secure platform, laboratories may increase productivity by orders of magnitude. As a result, tedious manual work, wasted time, and human mistakes are all eliminated as data is automatically sent from the equipment to the lab information system.

Saving lives

Every second counts when dealing with test results that show values that endanger a patient’s life. An innovative panic warning feature that enables the system to inform the recommending doctor automatically is a feature of an excellent LIS. This performs a life-saving role by enabling doctors to respond swiftly to their critically ill patients.

Increasing revenue

Robust MIS dashboards enable the customization of economic, operational, stock, testing, and lab-based information. An efficient lab information system assists lab operators in data mining, number crunching, creating patterns and predictions, and tracking metrics to increase profits.

Efficient logistics management

By giving each sample a distinct barcode and notifying the handling centers as soon as the tests are recorded at the collecting center, the effective logistics management solution in LIS enables resources, reagents, and material allocation even before the tests arrive at the processing center.

Avoid miscommunication

The findings and tests are digital, reducing confusion among staff members during shift changes concerning the operations previously completed or still to be completed. Additionally, the management of tests and the creation of results may continue with shift changes without experiencing any issues.

Record keeping

Additionally, it makes it simpler to get patient information such as samples needed or previously used, patient status such as the department they are located in, and their health issues—this information aids in removing erroneous diagnoses.

Pathologists can attempt to correct mistakes in samples and results with minimal effort. Additionally, the technical personnel can quickly identify issues with a broken test or outcome.

Online data generation

Patients who register their samples with a lab that has an effective LIS may readily access online portals and logins to obtain and follow their reports and findings. There is no need to travel inefficiently to get the results. A good LIS in each laboratory makes discovering and responding to any information and query simple.

Eliminating the manual data handling

Because of the digital connection provided by your LIS, your lab receives the order and patient descriptive data via an interface with your provider’s EHR/EMR system. This not only expedites the pre-analytic laboratory workflow but also lowers mistakes to increase the precision and dependability of your lab.

Use the proprietary algorithm to deliver automated testing reflexing

Your laboratory information system should employ pre-defined parameters to autonomously perform reaction tests as required because they are a crucial step in providing a comprehensive diagnosis.

Your lab software, for instance, may automatically request a fructosamine test for a patient whose fasting blood sugar is 140. Both tests would be carried out quickly by your lab, and you would give the patient’s doctor a complete analysis of the results.

Reduce the complexity of the plate mapping and laboratory process

Naturally, not every laboratory information system is the same. The Workflow Management option may be used to support more complicated workflows where interim manual stages are a part of the entire process to produce a notifiable result in your lab if you apply augmented features.

Lab technicians may save time using Process Management by quickly recovering outstanding orders and creating plate maps for each workflow stage. This feature reduces the need for manual paperwork and speeds up the plate mapping procedure.

Conclusion:

The advantages of a lab information system cannot be overstated, whether for error-free reporting, quick findings, better lab management, or efficient use of supplies. Use LIS to grow your company, handle more samples, and significantly boost your income.

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