The new age pathology laboratories are facing some acute challenges that were by far not a factor till date. There is an increased call to reduce costs, improve output, increase productivity and minimize the turnaround time in laboratories. In the times of big data and analytics, there is so much data being generated across the operation from a patient’s entry into the lab to their reporting that not integrating the data can lead to loss of productivity, decreased efficiency, missed opportunities and finally loss of crucial revenue. An enterprise level Laboratory Information Management System helps you to bring orderliness into your workflow and enables you to monitor and take corrective actions and continuous improvement at all the stages of lab process right from sample collection to Dispatch of results. Every feature is designed with the intent of improving the clinical accuracy, improving the revenue/efficiency & reducing the cost. A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) also enables compliance with regulatory requirements. With a proficient LIMS in place, management can have confidence in their laboratory functions and operations & customers can have confidence in the quality of reports they receive. It’s a WIN-WIN for all.

Below are 12 elements to consider before shortlisting an enterprise level LIMS

 INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY

An increase in productivity, efficient functioning, error-free testing and sample traceability in the lab database when LIMS is connected to instruments, collection sites, lab branches, and facilities.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Regulatory rules of the government need a strict adherence and compliance from all institutions in the medical field. A Lab Information Management System tracks and traces various levels of security with an audited trail to enable tracing of activity and provide accountability. There are also standard reports attached with LIMS.

SEAMLESS INTEGRATION

Attain seamless integration between sites, branches, devices and systems through LIMS – making information available as and when required.

ERROR FREE RESULTS

With reduced human interaction through LIMS in the data entry field and power of automation, LIMS offers results and reports which are error free.

INFORMED DECISIONS

Information is captured and shared in real time which highly improves management efficiency and allows an informed decision-making process.

MANAGING TEST LIFE CYCLE

The entire life cycle and workflow of a sample is managed on the system, from sample collection from patients to sharing test reports with them – every process can be managed on a single screen.

INTERFACE MANAGEMENT AND VISUALIZATION

Providing visually pleasing, powerful and intuitive data from raw instruments for archiving and long term decision making makes LIMS a powerful tool for the management.

REDUCTION IN COST

Centralizing IT and technical support can help labs save time in processes and sample management. The LIMS with built in workflow management saves time in lab processing and handling of reports.

EFFICIENT INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Modern inventory modules in Laboratory Information management systems can automate the process of inventory management. The LIMS uses predictive reordering and expiration alerts which help control pilferages and cut costs.

SCALABILITY

The new age LIMS are powered by cloud computing. Not only do they reduce initial setup costs by not needing to purchase costly IT infrastructure – they also allow for scaling operation within the cloud which saves crucial capital for investors.

FASTER TURNAROUND

Laboratory Information Systems identify and solve problems faster and even anticipate them before a problem occurs as they have access to crucial real time information and rely on historical references and data.

QUALITY CONTROL

Processes from sample collection, tracking, testing, analyzing, recording and reporting are part of the built in modules of the LIMS, thus alerting management of out of specification samples, procedures and raise flags where necessary.