2018081712:24:50

What are the criteria to choose the best Laboratory Information System

Published by: Sanjana

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The offline model of LIMS software is an outdated one.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 Collection Methods
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.

We have more information for you at Mocdoc - Digital Healthcare

Related Blogs

Going wrong in experiments taking place in laboratories is usual, but proper attention and planning can help prevent damaged reputations, wasted resources, and unnecessary accidents. Below are some reasons why laboratories fail and what can be done to stop them.

A shortfall of orientation with the Business:

Bell Labs, Xerox PARC, and other legendary labs can evoke images of complete isolation and extreme secrecy from the core business. Split-up sorting is significant in the case of organizations where rules and regulations head to balance new ideas. In this case, split-up remains as a rare problem.

The issue inclines that the labs do not have a clear strategy planned with the organization. You can see most of the labs offers kombucha by installing kegs on tap to acquire the creative things beginning and then start to evaluate with only a finite conception of their goals. Some of the team in the labs are not sure that they are charged with disruption or serving the core business.

The committee members and leaders should consider the importance of opening a lac, decide on how the lab will benefit or interrupt the present and future Business, should plan for a remedy in the case of disruption, prepare the works for how the new ideas are going to be executed, and more. The planning and other steps can be successful if it's made with the following considerations.

Vitality: Making clear and creative goals for the lab will assist both company leaders and stakeholders in understanding the intent and direction of the development vision.
Growth: Let's imagine, you have come up with an idea that is validated as well as requires growing outside of the lab. Now, where will you get the additional support for the plan? There are a few options like going back to an accelerator, an incubator, or into the core business. Possibly, troublemaking innovations will go outside of the core enterprises, as it can be developed in a further way and also secured from business-as-usual fingerprints and corporate antibodies.
People: People with purpose and passions are considered to be the heart of the most influential development initiatives as there is no chance for the lab to support the stakeholders who come up with new ideas and implement them in unchartered territory.

Lack of team balance:

Some people have good intentions and knowledge of the industry but fail as they do not have any idea how innovation works. Possibly, the leaders of this type deal with the development and changes as they deal with a problem in the core business. This will lead to more significant incremental improvements.

The other way the lab fails is when they are staffed merely by a team of external tycoons, whose only thinking is to set fire to conventional forms of operating burns bridges along with the organization. It means the people know the steps to build a business or launch startups but will miss the internal networks and knowledge needed to handle corporate networks.

It's essential to take a diverse team to be more successful at your organization. You also need people outside the enterprise, but you need to make sure that they possess different skills including employees for long with a passion for development, creativity and also should know the working nature of the company.

It's not much easy to maintain this balance, but you need to make it happen. The practical development team in or out of the lab needs to be diverse and purpose-driven in terms of background, function, and cognitive style.

The shortfall of metrics to trace success:

Innovation needs unique and creative thinking around economic support. Labs require space to incubate, evolve, or iterate new ideas. Return and financial need to be tracked over time and also should be insisted in advance even if your lab acts as a cost center that is mandated to experiment over the longer term.

Apart from this, there are some other essential things for the laboratories failing like Undervaluing ROI (Return on Investment), hiring extremes, building vs buying, meaningless hackathons, inflated expectations, the CTO/CINO/CIO dilemma, undue focus on interruption, poor project management, a big plan with no stepping stones, ignoring people by focusing on technology, and more.

Do you have any other suggestions to stop the laboratories from failing?

For more information visit MocDoc LIMS Software

Why Many laboratories Fai...

Going wrong in experiments taking place in laboratories is us.....

Published by: Sanjana 2019092412:14:51

The rise of new technologies has made the volume of data drastically increasing day by day. The data volume generated globally across clinical research, biobanks, and other relevant testing laboratories are developing at a faster rate. Surviving the vast data volume and influencing it for research or business is stimulative for labs, especially if they don't possess a regulated mechanism to use and process the data.

One of the crucial reasons to invest in the Lab Information Management System (LIMS) is that it is used for organizing the data disregarding what type of industry you belong to. Information availability and rapid data growth have resulted in the extensive evolution of data management. Below are ten vital signs that state why you should invest in a LIMS.

1. Your laboratory holds higher operational costs:

Leading the particular portion of the allotted funds into laboratory personnel for management and data entry operations.

A Lab Information Management System frees human resources from time consuming and unproductive tasks, and therefore, they are considered as the high saver for your data entry and management operations. You will be able to pay-as-you-go on any basis like monthly or yearly if you prefer to go with a cloud-based LIMS. This means that you no need to make any investments towards hardware installations.

2. You hold transcriptional data entry errors and are not able to share information (data silos):

It indicates poor data traceability, problems with connecting data across various data sources & instruments, and data's manual input leading to transcriptional errors.

A Lab Information Management System combines with other data sources and instruments flawlessly and manages the data in the laboratory in an enhanced manner. LIMS automated calculations save time and decrease errors for laboratory personnel. Apart from this, the information can also be retrieved accurately at any time.

3. When there is a risk in your laboratory data:

The sign is when you are not able to grab access to perceptive clinical information, no reliability, not able to follow the regulations based on your industries, making use of paper-based systems and spreadsheets to manage data in your laboratory.

A Lab Information Management System provided enhanced reliability and data security by matching the industry-related standards, namely 21 CFR Part 11, HIPAA, and more. It also protects perceptive clinical information by hindering user access of unauthorized persons.

4. When your laboratory has an inferior disaster management system:

Insufficiency of a suitable mechanism for data storage and retrieval in the event of theft, fire, or natural calamities.

A Lab Information Management System ensures data continual by copying data to mirror servers, storing data on the primary servers, and also make sure on the timely backups. The information can be managed in case of any theft, fire, or natural disasters.

5. When you don't have real-time data metrics:

The sign indicates when there are no updates to laboratory clients and users on sample processing stages when there are no notifications and alerts for sample expiry or inventory depletion, and when there is no real-time display of metrics of the laboratory in the main dashboard to watch out important problems.

A Lab Information Management System alerts you regarding the inventory depletion or assists in identifying expired samples with the help of alarms, and this makes sure about the timely inventory replenishment. The LIMS also helps you to stay updated on testing or processing samples in your labs by sending application notification or email alerts so that you will be able to know the critical problems instantly.

6. When your laboratory has poor traceability and limited data storage capacity:

The sign is when there are any difficulties in tracing the possible data instantly by searching over different piles of paper data when generating an extensive amount of sample information with the help of paperwork, and when there are too many piles of paper data in the labs, limiting the capacity in the data storage.

A Lab Information Management System assists in managing information electronically and helps to decrease paperwork. You can accurately and instantly trace information with the help of different tools. A cloud-based LIMS protects the data in the cloud, and this data is accessible in real-time and 24/7 available anywhere.

7. When your laboratory is unable to reach the expected productivity:

Delayed Turnaround Times and experimental analysis over industry averages, and influencing human resources for auditing, manual data entry, report generation are the vital signs.

A Lab Information Management System helps labs to plan data management effectively, accelerate operations, and execute different business decisions. It also helps in generating rapid reports and control an audit trail along with time stamp and date.

8. When you have sustainability problems:

When your competitors receive more orders when compared to you and when there are insufficient business agility and responsiveness.

A Lab Information Management System can help in making your laboratory business active amid the complicated global market.

9. When your laboratory lacks collaboration scientifically:

When there requires a high sample turn around time and data duplication for sharing with collaborators and partners.

A Lab Information Management System, particularly in the case of cloud-based, helps in decreasing errors, avoid data duplication, enables accelerated turn around time, and effective collaboration. Apart from this, it also allows us to achieve higher profit, market share, and productivity.

10. When you have no capabilities in customizing for your different data management methods:

Applying new changes to the existing data manually to the older records, and where there is no customizations option available with spreadsheets and paper-based systems.

A Lab Information Management System enables customization as per your requirements and is also considered as the highly configurable solution. Any new changes can be applied instantly on the original records and therefore saves more time.

I hope the above signs let you choose the right LIMS Software. Any other queries and comments on the Lab Information Management System are welcome.

10 Signs You Should Inves...

The rise of new technologies has made the volume of data dras.....

Published by: Sanjana 2019101512:46:38

Laboratory Information Management System is an extensive solution, designed to cater for the needs of the medical testing labs, and facilitates seamless monitoring of the lab’s operations by streamlining the processes.

The demand for medical lab services is high and keeps increasing with time, which makes it critical to ensure efficient and high-quality customer service. A sample management system is required to handle this necessity. An appropriate Sample Tracking system guides a medical examiner in streamlining the sample lifecycle, monitoring and operating the laboratory processes, with its comprehensive overview of the test sample. This ensures that nothing is overlooked, from sample collection to movement, to arriving at the test results, by tracking the entire workflow and recording the status.

MocDoc’s reliable laboratory management software performs the sample tracking task, maintaining quality standards and also helping to improve operational efficiency.

The Sample Lifecycle:

The Sample Lifecycle is an integral part of laboratory operations and encompasses three distinct phases: Pre-Analytical, Analytical and Post-Analytical. Managing the sample lifecycle effectively is essential to ensure accurate results and avoid any leaks or errors due to poor sample management.

● Pre-Analytical phase: The Pre-Analytical phase begins when a test order is placed and the sample is collected. The sample goes through the process of accession, where it is acknowledged or rejected for testing. If the sample is accepted, it is then segregated based on the type of sample and the department

● Analytical phase: The Analytical phase is a step of utmost importance, in the sample lifecycle, where the collected and segregated sample undergoes the ordered test and results are generated. In this phase, the laboratory staff will be responsible for selecting the appropriate test methods, preparing the samples, running the tests and ensuring that the recorded results are accurate, precise and consistent.

● Post-Analytical phase: The Post-Analytical phase is the final and crucial step in the sample lifecycle, where the test results are reviewed and verified for accuracy and completeness by a professional, such as a clinician or a doctor, and any necessary corrections or amendments are made. The final report is then generated and delivered to the patient.

The special features of the MocDoc LIMS Sample Tracking system:

Monitoring a sample’s progress throughout its lifecycle helps the professionals in managing the laboratory processes effectively, by analyzing the duration it spends in each department. This enables labs to maintain a satisfactory TAT consistently and also facilitates identifying the cause of any testing delay.

Sample Recieve Workflow:

The Sample Receive Workflow feature in MocDoc LIMS streamlines the process of receiving samples in a laboratory. Sometimes, the samples collected from the patient in the accession department may not reach the processing unit on time, hence it is important to track the sample's arrival time for maintaining allocation turnaround time. With a simple barcode scan, technicians can efficiently receive and track the sample's arrival time, ensuring that the testing process remains within the allocated turnaround time (TAT). This feature is essential for accurately monitoring the progress of samples and ensuring that the results are produced on time.

Staged Process Workflow:

The testing process carried out for a few samples may involve various stages such as cassette preparation, and specimen staining, before the final test results are obtained. These processes can vary depending on the type of test being conducted. It is crucial to monitor these processes to determine the current status of the sample and the time taken for each stage of processing.

This is accomplished with the "Staged Process Workflow" in MocDoc, which tracks the progress of each test at every process, keeping a record of the sample's journey from preparation to completion. The workflow also provides insights into the time taken for each intermediate stage. Customized workflows can be created for each test, based on its specific requirements.

With the advent of technology, the MocDoc LIMS System has made the process of tracking samples simpler. MocDoc's Sample Tracking module allows you to track the status of the samples throughout their lifecycle, from the time of collection to the time of archival, which in turn helps the labs maintain their brand reputation and service standards

Streamlining Sample Track...

Laboratory Information Management System is an extensiv.....

Published by: Preethi 2023022316:26:27

As labs are updated and become more modern, better methods of data management and record-keeping may be necessary to maintain or improve efficiency. Luckily, there is a means to achieve this: Laboratory Information Management Systems, or LIMS.

With the increase in disease and the growth in the medical diagnosis sector, the number of samples collected is increasing day by day. With the help of Machine interfacing, labs can handle a large volume of samples easily, increasing the efficiency of sample processing and the quality of lab reports.

Types of Machine Interfacing in Laboratory Information Management System(LIMS):

Uni-Directional Instruments:

Overview: Uni-directional instruments operate on a one-way communication system, facilitating the seamless transfer of information from the samples to the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). In this setup, results are stored within the LIMS database upon the completion of the test process. Unlike bi-directional instruments, which support two-way communication, uni-directional instruments focus on unidimensional data flow.

Workflow Process: The workflow involves manual sample placement by the technician, who assumes the responsibility of strategically positioning samples for analysis. Additionally, the technician plays a crucial role in determining the specific type of sampling method to be employed. This hands-on approach ensures that the instrument receives accurate and relevant data for subsequent processing.

Result Storage: Upon completion of the test, the results are systematically stored in the LIMS database. This unidirectional flow of information simplifies data management, with the LIMS acting as a centralized repository for comprehensive result storage. This streamlined process contributes to the efficiency of data retrieval and analysis within the laboratory setting.

Technician Involvement: The technician's involvement is pivotal in the uni-directional instrument setup, as they guide the initial placement of samples and make informed decisions about the sampling technique. This level of manual intervention ensures precision and control over the testing process, aligning with the laboratory's specific requirements and protocols.

Uni-directional instruments, by emphasizing one-way communication and manual input from skilled technicians, contribute to a structured and controlled laboratory environment where data accuracy and integrity are paramount.

Bi-directional Instruments:

Advanced Functionality: Bi-directional instruments represent a higher level of sophistication and advancement in laboratory technology. These instruments possess the capability to not only generate output data reports and results but also feature an Application Programming Interface (API). This advanced functionality enables the seamless exchange of data, information, commands, functions, and worklists with the system.

Output Data Reports: One key feature of bi-directional instruments is their ability to generate comprehensive output data reports. These reports provide a detailed analysis of test results and relevant information, offering a comprehensive view of the findings. The generated reports serve as valuable documentation for further analysis and decision-making processes.

Results Generation: Bi-directional instruments excel at producing accurate and timely results. The dual communication capabilities allow for efficient data transfer, ensuring that results are not only generated promptly but also transmitted seamlessly to the designated system or database.

Application Programming Interface (API): A defining feature of bi-directional instruments is the inclusion of an Application Programming Interface (API). This interface facilitates the exchange of data, information, and commands between the instrument and the broader laboratory system. The API functionality enhances interoperability, enabling the instrument to import and export data with ease.

Enhanced Connectivity: Bi-directional instruments contribute to enhanced connectivity within the laboratory ecosystem. The ability to import data, information, commands, functions, and worklists through the API fosters a dynamic and integrated environment. This connectivity streamlines laboratory processes, promoting efficiency and accuracy in data handling.

Our LIMS System sends commands to the sampling unit on the type of sampling to be conducted with the given sample. After the testing is done by the LIMS command, the results are auto-fetched on the LIMS Server. The bi-directional instruments are interfaced with the LIMS system programmatically.

The Need to Interface Instruments with LIMS Software:

There are several reasons why it is beneficiary to interface lab instruments with LIMS Software. Let us look into a few reasons here:

Increase in Productivity by Effective Machine Utilization:

Interfacing your instruments with your LIMS Software is a one-time investment of cost and work with a repetitive increase in lab productivity and effectiveness. Interfacing LIMS Software with your lab instruments removes many complexities like manual entering of data every time or referring data from other instruments to the LIMS. This altogether saves a lot of time and effort when done by a LIMS rather than manually, also avoiding any human errors during data entry.

Utilizing machines effectively can increase productivity drastically. When the task is done manually, very few samples are completely analyzed in the given period, but with MI they can perform many sample processing and that will increase machine utilization and increase revenue.

Increase in Data Quality by Reducing Manual Errors:

The second best reason for interfacing your lab instruments with your LIMS Software is the increase in data quality and integrity. As a human, we are eligible to commit human errors that might not be over-influential over the system as a whole but might still be considered an error. By removing human interference, these errors are avoided thereby guaranteeing better data transfer in the system.

Similarly, transcribing data into the system by people can also lead to common errors affecting the quality of data. Data integrity is considered a very important issue in laboratories. By interfacing your instruments to your LIMS System, you will eliminate this issue.

Saves Time in output generation thereby satisfying the patients:

Machine Interfacing helps to analyze the given samples at a faster rate and generates quality results within a shorter duration of time. After the result processing is done, the report will be generated manually.

With the use of MI, ultimate patient satisfaction can be achieved by generating the results in a quick manner with good quality.

Machine interfacing in laboratories is more of a comfort rather than a negative factor. What might be a one-time investment in your labs can save a lot of time and work when interfaced properly with your systems.

Why Machine Interfacing i...

As labs are updated and become more modern, better methods of.....

Published by: Sanjana 2018092708:52:44