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What are the criteria to choose the best Laboratory Information System 

Published By Sanjana
 2018081712:24:50
Category LIMS


Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a software-based solution that is used in labs for data management and to process a large number of lab samples to manage laboratory workflow. Evaluating and choosing the right LIMS must be done after analyzing some salient features like cost, interface, the ability of the system to evolve based on your future requirements, etc.

In this blog, we will help you evaluate the best and most cost-effective laboratory information system that will suit your requirements in the best way.
What to Choose Between Online and Offline Model of LIMS?

The offline model of LIMS software is an outdated one. Some disadvantages of using offline LIMS are:

  • Not user-friendly.
  • No mobile app facilities
  • Reports can be generated. But patients have to get the reports directly by visiting the premises.
  • The patient's record is not synchronized with multiple lab locations
  • In case of a server crash, there is no possibility of getting data back. Less data security.
  • Future technology updates are tough to install
  • Maintenance is high.

Offline LIMS has some defects. Due to its unavailability online 24/7, the data collected can be stored only in a desktop, increasing the chances of data loss. The offline LIMS is best suited for small laboratories with only one clinical lab.

Why is the Online Model of LIMS the Best Choice?

The online model of LIMS is based totally on the cloud. Hence the data can be viewed from anywhere in the world if they are updated on the cloud. Monitoring live instrument data with the right tools will allow your company to make faster decisions with accurate information and support the on-time delivery of reports.

A time-consuming, manual process will be transformed into a fast, automated process, where human errors in collecting and processing information will be reduced to zero, allowing the company to concentrate its resources on its core functions and attain higher productivity and efficiency in its work.

Some benefits of online LIMS are:

    • Low Maintenance cost.
    • Instrument data storage for auditing purposes.
    • An interface that works with any Database or LIMS.
    • Get future updates as notifications
    • Secure environment
    • Track updates with the mobile app

Choosing The Right LIMS For You

Choosing the right Laboratory Information system depends purely on the requirement of the lab and the processes involved in it. You have to know the exact way in which the user data has to be logged in and the ways of analysis. This way you can easily find the exact LIMs software that would suit your requirements the best. Some of the requirements of a laboratory include:

    • Functional requirements
    • IT requirements
    • Interface requirements
    • Data management requirements
    • Error handling

It is best advised to have business flow diagrams that will clarify the workflow, requirements, and processes in the lab. This business flow diagram will help in considering the instruments and systems involved in the lab that need to be interfaced with the software for harmonized workflow.

Understanding the Functionality Requirements

Understanding the requirements of your laboratory systems cannot be explained enough as the utmost important feature for choosing the right type of LIMS. A LIMS software used for the mining of oil and gas cannot be used completely for clinical purposes. Before investing in LIMS software from any vendor, it is vital to check that the software completely fulfills the needs of the laboratory. This includes the process of sample collection and data entry to the process of report generation and saving of reports. The functional requirements should be clearly listed and cross-checked regularly even after implementation in the system.

Some of the functional requirements that need to be checked in a LIMS are:

    • Laboratory Test Processing.
    • Test scheduling.
    • Sample Tracking.
    • Instrument control.
    • Report generation.
    • Quality control and Quality assurance.
    • Statistical analysis.
    • Resource management.
    • Laboratory Safety and Accident Prevention Techniques.

Once the use cases that include the kind of user type, sample logging method, and result publishing are quantified, your functional requirements will get a lot clearer paving you for the best suitable LIMS purchase.

LIMS Future Upgrades

Choosing LIMS after a thorough analysis of your current needs is the best way of making an apt choice. However, the future of laboratory management might evolve with the changing technologies and more convenient workflow. Keeping that in mind, choose software from a vendor that is best suited for both your current needs and all your future needs.

Seeking advice on the improvement of the system might be too late when the implementation of LIMS software has already taken place. Jot down your requirements clearly and analyze the same with your team of experts who can justify the need for improvement based on futuristic updates.

When businesses want to add more locations, tie up with B2Bs, add a home collection module, NABL policy changes, the LIMS software should be able to upgrade and adopt it.

This will ensure that your business is on speed with the technology involved and can easily benefit from it in terms of productivity and workflow management.


LIMS Mobile Applications

Using LIS is the best method for the automation of Laboratory technologies. This implies that the process of computing sample analyses must be done faster, and more efficiently and there is easy workflow management with mobile apps.

Types of LIMS mobile apps:

  • Home Collection App
  • Runner App
  • Laboratory Owner App
  • B2B App
  • Patient App

LIS helps pathologists approve data from anywhere in the most efficient system and can be extremely useful to labs and doctors alike. This saves a lot of time on the workflow. Automation of doctor approval in a mobile app can help LIS make more decisions quickly.

These were some basic points that might help you choose the best-suited LIS for your laboratory. Choose cost-effective software for your lab, but don’t miss on the quality or vendor credibility while choosing the right LIS for your laboratory.

24/7 Support System

When you choose LIMS software, make sure you are provided with 24/7 support facilities. When you face any issues with the LIMS software, you can contact the support professionals anytime and from anywhere and get the issues resolved quickly.

Data Security in LIMS

Security of data is the most basic need for any kind of industry; especially one involving the data and reports of patients. Implementation of a LIMS is specifically done to make the process easier and more secure, safeguarding the patient information from misuse. This has to be done while improving the knowledge level in the organization about the system by sharing the lab information accessible across various departments globally in the organization.

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The healthcare industry, like any other industry, is not self-reliant. Since this is an ever-evolving industry there's no stopping for the challenges that arise or the solutions for it. One such healthcare solution is the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). The Laboratory management system has been providing healthcare solutions for the industry, over the past couple of decades: but what it is?

LIMS Software And What Does It Do?


The Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software started as a system to keep a record of test samples, their results, and all other particulars of donor and patient samples.  From the point of its inception, the laboratory management system followed the traditional methods of manual labelling and record-keeping; it was followed only until the introduction of computers to healthcare solutions.

Ever since the Laboratory Information Management System has been on a course of upward trajectory.

As the computers evolved so did software. Dedicated LIMS software packages began appearing with tweaks and new features every time. The LIMS software today is so reliable that once a test sample is collected in the lab or patient's house, it is taken to a pathology laboratory and given a tag, it is almost impossible to lose track of it. The LIMS software packages can manage and update the progress in tests and can also update the results of the tests to the database in real-time.

To put it in simple words:


A laboratory Information management system, shortly known as LIMS, is a software that is used to help lab faculties in collecting samples, processing, and delivering reports to patients. It acts as an interface between the lab faculties and the database where all the information and essential details are stored. This includes all the tests conducted under a particular facility.

LIMS Network:


In its early days, the laboratory management system was an isolated off-network system. But as technology paved the way for more advanced secure networking, the Laboratory Information Management System stepped into the next-gen of healthcare solutions.

Standalone LIMS Software:


Even though the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software provides easy access to the information from the database, it isn't enough. Its information resource was limited to that one particular facility alone. The limitations of a standalone laboratory management system include:

  • Limitations in the storage capacity of the database servers.
  • The maintenance of servers at the healthcare facility itself involves difficulties.
  • Medical procedures that involve referral to different locations will require the carrying of physical records; which is an inconvenience again.
  • However the chances are less: if the servers go down it is almost impossible to recover the data unless there is a backup, which will require additional servers.
  • Since standalone laboratory management systems are not cloud-based, sharing patient reports via App, SMS, or Email is restricted.

Since there are technologies developed already to overcome these limitations, they should be employed immediately.

LIMS Software on the Cloud:


Cloud storage is a powerful technology than it sounds. Cloud storage has virtually no limits on the storage capacity, thereby immensely supporting the laboratory information management system and other healthcare solutions.

  • The data centres provide a larger bandwidth to access the servers. That is more than enough to provide trafficless access.
  • Since the cloud servers have multiple redundant systems, there is always a backup, and data loss is not a thing to worry about.
  • The centralized data centre for the laboratory management system makes it possible to access data from anywhere in the world with authorization.
  • The maintenance of these servers is extremely cost-effective compared to the standalone LIMS Software.
  • As LIMS is cloud-based, it can connect multiple stakeholders. You can also have control over sample tracking, processing, and delivery. And there is easy scalability in business.

Patient Accessibility:


The interconnection of LIMS software servers also introduces the patients to the inside of the Laboratory Information Management System. Since the LIMS software made the information easily accessible, the patients can easily keep track of their records. This also helps patients to keep their health records up to date with no effort.  

LIMS Beyond Limits:


The LIMS software, even though started as a record-keeping and managing healthcare solution, has now evolved into a state of complete management solution. It has given a massive boost to the administration of healthcare facilities and also the financial management of healthcare centres.

Machine Interfacing in LIMS:


The LIMS software acts as an interface between the laboratory equipment and other devices. The Laboratory Information Management System is capable of interfacing with the database in real-time to import and export data. It also acts as an interface between multiple devices within the lab for better coordination.

For instance, an MRI scanner is only a scanning machine with an image display unit and a control unit. But, with the LIMS software machine interface, the data from the scanner can be stored directly in the database to the respective patient name. It helps the doctors to analyze the data whenever required.

Time Management:


Time management is one of the most challenging objectives of management. The LIMS software used in today's healthcare facilities provides day-to-day management solutions besides healthcare solutions.  

  • The LIMS software can make schedules for doctors and specialists. It also helps in scheduling follow-ups and cancellations of appointments at the request of patients through IVRs and websites.
  • Since there is always a demand for time slots to access laboratory equipment and devices, including high-cost scanners which are a rare resource, LIMS software can schedule their time slots most effectively.

In addition to these, the Laboratory Information Management System also has the in-house pharmacy records maintained, notifying the maintenance of laboratory equipment and other services.

The AI of LIMS and its future:


The future of the Laboratory Information Management System has already shown us a glimpse of what it is capable of over the years.

AI is the future of every field and the Laboratory Information Management System is no exception. The introduction of LIMS software to artificial intelligence can automate pretty much everything in the laboratory management system and improve the quality of healthcare solutions. Smart labs will be the newest addition to the list of healthcare solutions by the LIMS software.

The advancements in various supporting fields such as microfluidics, biometrics, lab-on-a-chip technologies, and their automation have ensured the steady progress of the Laboratory Information Management system. The day is not far when the AI Laboratory Information Management System (AI LIMS) will be working along with humans and serving humanity.

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Every modern industry laboratories are under intense pressure to enhance operational efficiency and to decrease costs, while at the same time controlling regulatory compliance and improves quality. 

LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) is adopted across various verticals to meet the challenges. The on-premises system fails most of the time to offer the flexibility which is required to stay competitive in today's economic environment; therefore, an on-premise system is not agile, connected, or responsive. 


Advantages of the cloud-based LIMS:

Integration, upgrades & implementation of the on-premise system indicate that the in-house  IT workers have less time to work on improved innovation systems & this can also be a time-consuming process. There are plenty of advantages for your organization in case you move to a SaaS LIMS. 

Rapid LIMS implementation: 

You need not invest your time to set up servers or install the software. Most of the works are done already if you are using the SaaS LIMS. Apart from that, your lab can run on the unique LIMS quickly and also help your lab to be up.  

Scalability:  

Online-based LIMS are best for enterprises with inconsistent user requirements. With SaaS, it's simple to balance your works either up or down, based on what is happening on your business, and it's enough to spend money on what you make use. New features, services, and a user can be added anywhere by just with the click of the button. The skill that SaaS offers can provide organizations using cloud computing a straight edge over the competitors.  

Accessibility and Collaboration:  

Online based LIMS allows hassle-free, and easy access to your data anytime and anywhere from different locations, multiple branches, and various systems with a secure login ID. This accelerates enhances collaboration within laboratories in organizations globally. Apart from that, the ability to access workflows and data from where you hold an online connection.  

Cloud services are providing mobile applications, and there are no restrictions for specific devices to establish the system.  

Levels the playing field:  

An online-based LIMS System enables every type of small business to possess the ability to provide the organization-level features and functionalities on a pay as you reach the top. This results in, the small business running a LIMS can be more agile and nimble when compared to the large companies which are still making use of the on-premise legacy system.  

Decreased costs: 

By using the SaaS LIMS, there is no license cost, just a minimal installation fee, and no need for any databanks or in-house servers, no IT maintenance costs for software or hardware. You can only pay as your subscription you need to choose, and you can pay for the functionalities you need. The funds can be used to invest in essential businesses as there is no higher expense based on the Saas LIMS, and this can fuel the creations that are required to keep your company competitive.  

Automatic Software Updates:  

When you are using SaaS LIMS, the service providers take responsibility for security or software updates and patches to keep the system up-to-date. This indicates you get enough effort and time from your IT department, enabling them to put efforts over other initiatives of the laboratories that add business value.  

Disaster Recovery and Backup services:  

Any business needs a perfect disaster recovery plan, and the recovery solutions & the cloud-based backup solutions which come along with the SaaS LIMS are offered without the requirements for a more significant investment, making this vital protection of data services enabling every business in the verticals.  


Why is cloud-based LIMS the best option for your laboratory? 

When a SaaS LIMS provides the prospects for essential advantages, it is not the right option for any laboratory. One harmful functionality of SaaS LIMS is that it is tedious to modify the system based on the company's supported design options. Executing a SaaS LIMS in a more prominent company that already possesses a higher developing on-premise function.  

Below are some of the factors that need to be considered when you choose to work with a SaaS LIMS provider.

Security:  

You rely on the company to secure your sensitive data when it moves to the cloud and when you work with SaaS LIMS. Most of the providers in the cloud perform an excellent job of offering a secure environment for your information, which are the highest vulnerabilities that are probably related to human nature.  

Validation:  

The vital responsibility for regulatory compliance always is based on the manufacturers. Few providers lease an online-based LIMS focus on a prevalence system, and this refers to the system of the cloud provider. Apart from this, the providers of SaaS LIMS handle any software patches and upgrades to make sure that you run the most crucial system version.  

Integration:  

You need to make sure that your SaaS LIMS has the scope to validate the informatics systems and LIMS instruments.  

Service level agreement:  

It's essential to create an SLA with your vendors that addresses any concerned areas and more. One of the best SLA can make the variations between the rollout of your SaaS time & cost and smooth execution along with the unexpected expenses made down the road.  

Hosting options:  

Some of the vendors provide a private cloud option that is facilitated within the facility. The opportunity offers different advantages of SaaS LIMS but with controlled and decreased security risks. A cloud can be single-tenant, multi-tenant, private, or public. A single-tenant cloud is simpler to less prone and validated to intrusion or data leakage.  

Data integrity and audit trails:

An audit trail is vital to address various concerns of data integrities, both from product quality and regulatory perspectives. You also need to ensure that your LIMS online-based SaaS has a detailed and reliable audit trail for any data, and also make sure it's controlled on two different servers when compared to the data.  

Simplifying certain things can add complications to the business processes when you move to the cloud. The decision to distribute SaaS LIMS will be presented by a mix of regulatory, operational, and security concerns that are unique to any laboratory. Working with the best online-based LIMS consultant is an excellent way to make sure that your enterprises require the best value from laboratory information management to new SaaS approaches.

Why only online-based LIMS wil...

Every modern industry laboratories are under inten.....  Read more



Communication of patient lab data via state-of-the-art laboratory software


The profession of laboratory management system is a complicated one that requires the utmost care of the patients. The lab must convey a sense of trust to the customers so that they can entrust you with their samples for analysis.

Clinical Laboratories can now Wave off Manual Work:


With all this hard work already being done by clinical laboratories, the Department of Health took a new turn when it was decided that a lab has to send results directly to the patients. This was mainly done to relieve the stress from the patients who were waiting for their reports from the doctors. With instant report generation, doctors can now decide quickly on critical cases.

The mandatory direct lab report delivery to the patient can be done in various ways whichever is comfortable with the patient and the lab. With the latest technology on queue, the task has been rendered easy for the labs to be in touch with the patients. In this blog, let us discuss the various smart ways in which a lab can send lab reports to patients and deliver test sample reports to them.

Conveying the Message via Short Message Service (SMS):


Sharing reports via SMS can add to the benefit of sample report collection. One small SMS on the result of the test analysis can set the patient's mind at peace.

Lab reports, once generated, can easily be shared via SMS straight to the patient or the doctor, thus eliminating the need for manual handling, waiting time, or travelling. Reports of multiple tests performed by the patient are shared as separate updates to avoid possible commotion. With the intervention of LIMS Software in clinical laboratories, we help convey instantaneous report results to the patient as soon as the technician generates the results. The SMS conveying system for test results has many advantages, some of which are:

  • No manual human intervention is needed.
  • Immediate report sharing is made possible for emergency cases or critical patients.

Conveying the Message via E-mails:


One of the fail-safe methods for accessing patients anytime is messaging via electronic mail or E-mails. Incorporating advanced EMR (Electronic Medical Records) software enhances this communication channel, ensuring secure and efficient delivery of critical information. This method provides a convenient way to notify patients of their lab results promptly, allowing them to access full PDF reports via email. Additionally, the integration of EMR software allows for seamless consultation with a healthcare professional, further streamlining the patient experience and fostering a reliable means of communication between the laboratory and the patient.

This way the patient can be notified even at their place of work without them having to visit our facilities for manual collection of the report.

Once the lab report is generated with all the optimum observations made from the testing of samples, it can be sent via email in PDF format as an attachment so that the patient can infer from the report and take the necessary action if any is required. A LIMS Software-linked lab can save a lot of unwanted manual tasks and convey the message to the patient and doctor immediately for analysis. It has the same benefits as SMS, with the added advantage of the whole report being shared.

Report generation on Mobile App:


Mobile App Tracking:

        • A pre-installed mobile app on your smartphone offers the convenience of tracking the various phases of your test analysis. This feature keeps you informed about the progress and notifies you when your test results are ready.
        • With just a few swipes, you can access your test results as soon as they are generated by the technician.

        Real-time Results:

        Enjoy the benefit of real-time access to your test results through the mobile app. This ensures that you stay informed promptly, allowing for quick decisions or discussions with healthcare professionals.

        Confidentiality Assurance:

        Leverage the confidentiality of your smartphone to receive and review your test results. The secure environment of a personal device adds an extra layer of privacy to your health information.

        Accessibility Anytime, Anywhere:

        A smartphone with internet connectivity is all that is needed to access your reports on the go. This level of accessibility provides the flexibility to check the readiness of your report from anywhere and at any time.

        Convenient and Efficient:

        The mobile app streamlines the process, making it convenient and efficient for users to manage and view their test reports. This user-friendly interface enhances the overall experience of staying connected with your health information.

        Direct Collection of the report from the lab:

        Among the various intelligent approaches discussed earlier, the method of directly collecting the lab report from the laboratory stands out as a reliable option. This can be considered the final smart strategy in the lineup. Despite being a traditional approach, opting for the direct collection of the report from the lab is particularly secure, especially when dealing with sensitive information.

        While it involves a physical effort to obtain the report from the lab, an alternative is to have the report posted directly to the patient's home. This direct collection method can complement any of the previously mentioned patient-initiated lab report retrieval methods. The patient is first informed of the results and can then choose to collect the report at their convenience. The full PDF report sent via email, facilitated by advanced laboratory software, allows for easy viewing and consultation with a doctor, making the collection of the printed lab report a less urgent and more straightforward task.

        These represent a few of the methods available to send lab reports to patients, and clinical laboratories have the flexibility to utilize all or some of the above techniques. By employing these methods, the clinical laboratory aims to foster a sense of ease and trust with the patients, ultimately establishing a strong rapport.

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        Leveraging Diagnostic Lab Management Software for Business Growth

        Increased efficiency is one of the crucial factors that every business people require. When there is a business running efficiently, it indicates a decrease in waste and an increase in profits, and this results in a healthy bottom line. There are different types of diagnostic lab management software tools that small business owners can use to enhance the efficiency of their operations. 

        Whether you are an accountant, who is looking for QuickBooks in the belief that it holds the right software to make a more significant difference for a better business outcome or an engineer who is in search of trying out the PCB design software, below are the 5 best ways in which the software will help the small business owners to take their business to the topper level. 

        Five ways to grow your business through Diagnostic software: 

        Here are some ways through which you can improve your small business with the diagnostic software. 

        Maintaining a healthy relationship with the customers:

        The software solutions for small businesses enable you to manage a healthy relationship with the customers and also enhance your sales process dramatically in a better way. You can form prospects and customer databases and also acquire the right to update them in the right and real-time when you gather more information about every contact. The software business tools also help in providing the ability to send emails to the connection, so it's easy to keep up with the marketing. It also provides the capability to send emails to customers and prospects and also track how many times you keep in contact or communicate with your contacts or customers. 

        Creating invoices and quotes: 

        You will be able to create invoices and quotes and attach them to particular contacts or customers so that there is no chance for valuable documents to be missed. Apart from this, all details and orders are captured in real-time in case your invoices and quotes are integrated with the platform of your business. You can also stay aware of all the products and services your contacts or customers asked to purchase, which will help you to sell more and keep organized in the future leading to higher revenue. 

        Follow sales leads:

        With the help of the right sales management software, you will be able to follow sales leads accurately and quickly, and you need to contact your prospects who have requested a quote before. If you are ready with sound strategies that can reach your end-of-year sales goals, people who are interested once in the offer you place but have not purchased with you can start with it. 

        Project creation and tracking:

        It's easy to build and track projects at every process stage easily through reputed small business management software. If you have different types of systems to manage your works and projects, there is no possibility of linking with the costs or customers. In case you have a single system, then it's easy and quick to view expenses or link with any project or customers and also send the invoice for the appropriate projects. 

        Shortening the task of the employees:

        With the help of time tracking software, the employees can efficiently finish their timesheets and also can be easily accessed by owners and managers. This enables a streamlined system, especially for calculating all types of wages. With the help of small business software, you can also use shared calendars to track how much human capital is present for any project. 

        Apart from this, there are many kinds of software available that offer you the capability to combine any process in your organization or company. Also, it is 100% assured that your small business runs easily when there is just one solution that acts as a one-stop solution for project management, marketing, sales, and invoicing.
         
        It's easy to select the right laboratory software for your small business to increase your revenue by researching the best diagnostic software online. You need to focus on all the advantages, and essential specifications available to make the software more efficient and better for your small business before choosing the best small business software for you.

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