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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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.

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Effective Steps to Manage Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software

Upgrading your clinical laboratory might be the latest enhancement you are implementing in your lab. This upgrade means you are automating the key functions to easily maintain the workflow. To make sure that your systems work in a smooth, harmonized, and safe manner, consider installing a cloud-based Laboratory Information Management system in your Lab. The cloud-based LIMS is no doubt the best choice to make as it has many advantages. A few of these are:

The data stored in the cloud are fully encrypted, hence 100% data safety.
Cost saving as there is no need for server maintenance.
With effective data recovery, any data loss can be reverted.
No manpower is required as everything is stored in the cloud, unlike physical servers.

Below are some simple tips to effectively manage your Cloud-based Laboratory Information Management System:

Implement a Cloud-Based Service Desk:

The most important step to do while implementing a cloud-based LIMS system is to provide a mini web page for clients to find information that caters to the needs of every patient. The internet is the influence king of the virtual world; so most of your patients will visit your website first, before heading over to your lab. Set up a cloud-based service desk and assist your patients just like you would do in your physical laboratory premises.

Make sure the webpage has a live chat facility so your customers can chat about the types of tests they can do and laboratory locations. Providing a live chat facility can help you to follow up in case the customers log out of the page suddenly. Also, features such as patient portals and customer portals empower your customers to download reports through the website making them completely independent.

Ease of Mobility:

Investing in a LIMS mobile app or website is the biggest advantage that Cloud-based servers can provide a laboratory. Since the data is stored at a remote location and is not bound by the constraints of physical hardware on the premises, investing in a mobile version of your laboratory’s website or even an App is a good idea.

You can take patient satisfaction to another level when you offer your patients and potential patients the ease to reach or access their health information on the go. With a virtual service desk in place, going mobile would mean more and better interactions and increased patient satisfaction.

LIMS Software Staff Training:

It’s essential to train laboratory staff to unlock the full power of your LIMS software application. To utilize LIMS software effectively, you can segregate the employees, departments wise, and provide training accordingly. Delegating one person as the head of training in every department can take the responsibility of providing LIMS-related knowledge sharing and periodic training. LIMS software training can include configuration options, storage, and retrieval of data, managing your workflows, and reporting. Staff training in each department is very important for businesses to succeed.

Increase Speed of Operation:

LIMS Software, specifically designed for laboratory information management, plays a pivotal role in optimizing operations. With a focus on pathology lab software, LIMS efficiently monitors various aspects such as Sample monitoring, sample workflow processes, patient visit count, inventory flow, cash flow, consultant performance, and overall business fluctuations over time. Through the analysis of these metrics, LIMS issues performance-based documents and develops standard quality indicators and key performance indicators, providing a comprehensive solution for laboratory management.

Additionally, Cloud-based LIS (Laboratory Information System) enhances the speed of laboratory operations. While technology facilitates remote meetings, Cloud-based LIS goes a step further by enabling access to data from any location, granting the user the necessary access rights. This feature ensures a swift exchange of information, contributing to an overall increase in the speed of laboratory operations. By seamlessly connecting personnel across different locations, the Cloud-based LIS becomes a valuable asset in streamlining workflows and promoting efficiency within the laboratory environment.

Ease up the Implementation Process and Quality Indicators:

The constant check of quality to ensure stability in business is a major requirement for any industry. With clinical laboratory, it is more of a service quality check rather than product one. Hence, quality indicators are of utmost importance to a laboratory.

LIMS Software, specifically designed for laboratory information management, can efficiently monitor various aspects of laboratory operations such as Sample monitoring, sample workflow process, patient visit count, inventory flow, cash flow, consultant performance, and overall business fluctuations over a period. The system analyzes these metrics to issue performance-based documents, and through the utilization of cloud technology, LIMS can develop standard quality indicators and key performance indicators.

By integrating a cloud-based LIMS System into your laboratory functions, you can optimize processes and identify areas for improvement. This innovative solution allows you to identify and understand your business metrics, paving the way for enhanced business optimization through the power of cloud technology. Whether it's managing sample workflows or evaluating consultant performance, the inclusion of LIMS Software, tailored for pathology lab software, brings a comprehensive and efficient approach to managing laboratory operations.

5 Effective Steps to Manage LI...

Effective Steps to Manage Laboratory Information M.....

Running a productive lab smoothly is tedious. Whether you are dealing with multiple samples or if you have an excessive number of deadlines approaching, following the practical tips given below will help in managing your lab efficiently.

1. Keep an eye on your stuff:

Your inventory covers all the specimens and reagents your lab will need for diagnostic or experimentation analysis. An effective way of sustaining inventory is to use a tool that makes use of barcodes to identify, categorize, and track samples. Regardless, the labels you utilize for vials, racks, tubes, and boxes need to be suitable for the atmosphere in which they will be used. For instance, labels marked ”cryogenic” can come in handy for any reagents stored in freezers or cell lines or specimens stored in liquid nitrogen.

2. Sustainment is key:

Maintenance of the lab infrastructure is vital to ensure the durability of your reagents and samples. Refrigerators and freezers need to be sustained at the ideal temperature, Co2/O2 levels in each incubator should be controlled carefully, and the stocks of liquid nitrogen and other lab supplies must be replenished. Systems that can control your storage equipment, offering real-time notifications and updates while keeping detailed reports and logs of all parameter-related activity can make this entire process automated, with minimal human intervention, and will ensure that no other thing is missed. These types of systems work with a cloud-based framework and can integrate all reports in a single place and will notify the lab personnel if anything goes wrong.

3. Stay Coordinated:

Spending time in workflow management will enable you to enhance sample traceability, track inventory, improve overall personnel productivity, and more. Incorporating a LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) is an excellent way to do this as it will note the movement of each sample during the testing process, monitor its custody chain, and enable users to schedule downstream processing, analysis, and testing in a smooth manner. Getting the most out of your LIMS by using barcoded labels is critical as both will aid in sample traceability and tracking.

Communication and coordination are also vital when incorporating any system that optimizes workflow. Holding regular lab meetings will enable you to create and control any LIMS you wish to utilize and also keep a good record of all lab activities with the help of well-annotated lab books and LIMS.

4. It’s the system, not the people:

No matter how organized the labs are, errors will occur. Designing barriers and openly discussing the mistakes will decrease the likelihood of them reappearing. By introducing multiple checkpoints and verifications, you can reduce the chances that the mistakes will stack up causing unanticipated consequences. However, this should not be done without compromising the speed of processing in the lab. Maintaining lab infrastructure, keeping a managed inventory, and coordinating your workflow are all kinds of barriers that can prevent critical errors. Managing all related data in your lab books will also enable you to resolve the mistakes as each test or experiment can be verified with comprehensive documentation even if the person is no longer a lab member.

5. Utilize Common Sense:

Some labs are specialized in carrying out a small set of techniques that need specific labels. For instance, Xylene-resistant labels for histochemistry labs. Regardless, most of the labs do not have tremendous resources with which to buy labels and equipment. Managing a lab cannot be like a one-size-fits-all approach. In this case, it’s crucial to assess what the issues are and to come up with answers from both financial and organizational standpoints. In most cases, simple solutions are enough. For instance, you can have signed-up sheets either online or on paper for machines like biosafety, centrifuges, cabinets, thermocyclers, etc.

6. Thinking Creatively:

Following the current trends are important. You need to make sure that you’re thinking in a creative manner even for simpler things as it can help avoid issues in the lab and also can enhance the research pace.

7. Collaboration:

Efficient communication is crucial regardless of the lab you work in, but with every member consistently working on various techniques or projects, it's possible that they fall out of the habit of collaborating. Lab meetings are a significant way to solve problems, especially at the beginning of the week, so that everyone knows what their tasks are and how to complete them. It’s a good habit to make a relationship with your office mates even outside the lab as this helps to have excellent communication.

Hope the above blog helped you to know about managing a lab productively and its benefits in depth.

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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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Leveraging Diagnostic Lab Management Software for .....

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Smart Ways to send Lab Reports of Patients

Published By Sanjana

Category LIMS