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Why Many laboratories Fail And What You Can Do To Avoid It 

Published By Sanjana
 2019092412:14:51
Category LIMS


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?
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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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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.

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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.

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



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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