Well, if you are reading this post it would be safe to assume that you plan on implementing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in your pathology lab. Congratulations, it is a wise decision and probably one of the best decision that will change the future of your lab. But what exactly are some questions that you need to ask yourself before undergoing the journey of your very own lab information management system?
In today’s world of cut throat competition, every lab is under constant pressure to increase their efficiency – thus increasing their piece of the customer pie in terms of revenue, profits and number of customers. Also, there is this phenomenon that exists with most businesses in the world, ‘getting more done with less’. Hence a system that streamlines all your processes, gives your employee maneuverability, gives your customers an exceptional lab experience is the need of the hour.
With the increasing focus of IT in healthcare, there are a lot of systems and LIMS available in the market to choose from. All of these have different features, benefits, and modules. With all the ‘do haves’ and ‘have nots’ in LIMS, it can be a daunting task to choose the right solution to suit your requirements.
Below are some questions that you should ask before buying an LIMS.
Would the solution require high end IT skilled users?
First and foremost question that you should ask is if you have the right set of skills in your employees to work around with the new solution. Does the LIMS require employees who are tech-savvy? Would you require new resources who can help out with the new system? It is always preferable to choose a solution which is easy for your employees and does not require you increase your costs as LIMS is a costly solution in itself.
Flexibility or Cost?
Most of the Laboratory Information Management Systems are made with standard modules and is a complete package in itself. But then again, no size fits all perfectly. While a standard LIMS may take care of all your needs there are some things that need tweaking to make perfect. Normally it is these tweaking that makes you shell out additional money. So the question is, what would you prefer more – a solution that is an almost perfect fit but at a lesser price or a perfect solution at a higher price.
How much can you wait for the new LIMS to go Live?
A new lab information management system in its standard form is an out of the box solution. Means it can be installed as easy as 1-2-3. But if you decide to go for customizations, the time period and wait can become longer. So if you ask yourself by when should the new system be Live and Working & your answer is ‘yesterday’. Go for a Standard out of Box solution which is an almost perfect fit.
Are there regulatory requirements that need to be taken care by the system too?
The medical field anywhere in the world is highly regulated because health and patient’s lives are the core for any society to function. But not many lab owners take this into consideration while investing in an LIMS. The question you should ask yourself is – what are the regulatory requirements in your country and would the new lab information management system help you cross those hurdles or leave you mid-way. Yes, efficiency and effectiveness are the most important – but there is no lab that can function without following the laws of the land and a good LIMS should be able to help you in that regard.
How to ensure a smooth transition to LIMS?
A laboratory information management system is a big investment for any lab, but what is the point of making such an investment if your employees are unable to make the most of the system. So how would you ensure a smooth transition? It is utmost important that all the stakeholders are involved in the process of implementation. Also, you should ensure you choose an LIMS vendor who provides training to your employees before the handover. Moreover, effective and timely training combined with on-site support will also increase your user satisfaction and the use of the system.
CareData Inc. has a world class Laboratory Information Management System (LabTrak) which is implemented by an experienced team – if you are planning to implement an LIMS on your site, get in touch with the team to find out how the minimize the efforts and make implementation truly stress free.
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