Difference between revisions of "User:Shawndouglas/sandbox/sublevel4"

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Computers in the laboratory are not a recent phenomenon. The mid-1960s saw clinical laboratory computerization become increasingly popular<ref name="KriegClinical74">{{cite book |chapter=Chapter 30: Clinical Laboratory Computerization |title=Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods |author=Krieg, A.F. |editor=Davidsohn, I.; Henry, J.B. |publisher=W.B. Saunders Company |pages=1340–58 |year=1974 |isbn=0721629229}}</ref><ref name="FlynnComputer65">{{cite book |chapter=Computer-assisted processing of bio-chemical test data |title=Progress in Medical Computing |author=Flynn, F.V. |editor=Atkins, H.J.B. |publisher=Blackwell Science Ltd |page=46 |year=1965 |isbn=0632001801}}</ref><ref name="WilliamsTheUse64">{{cite journal |title=The Use of Data Processing and Automation in Clinical Pathology |journal=Military Medicine |author=Williams, G.Z. |volume=129 |issue=6 |pages=502–9 |year=1964 |doi=10.1093/milmed/129.6.502}}</ref><ref name="HicksRoutine66">{{cite journal |title=Routine Use of a Small Digital Computer in the Clinical Laboratory |journal=JAMA |author=Hicks, G.P.; Gieschen, M.M.; Slack, W.V. et al. |volume=196 |issue=11 |pages=973–78 |year=1966 |doi=10.1001/jama.1966.03100240107021}}</ref><ref name="StraumfjordElectronic67">{{cite journal |title=Electronic Data Processing System for Clinical Laboratories: A System Used for All Laboratory Sections |journal=American Journal of Clinical Pathology |author=Straumfjord, J.V.; Spraberry, M.N.; Biggs, H.G.; Noto, T.A. |volume=47 |issue=5_ts |pages=661–76 |year=1967 |doi=10.1093/ajcp/47.5_ts.661}}</ref>, though that enthusiasm was often based on the potential of the computers themselves rather than their actual capabilities.<ref name="KriegClinical74" /> Researchers imagined potentials such as automatic specimen label generation, daily log and report management, instrument interfacing and data processing, results comparisons, and time management tools. It would take time for some of those potentials to be realized.<ref name="KriegClinical74" />
[[File:Fig6 Liscouski AppInfoSciWork21.png|thumb|right|400px|Slide detailing the core components of a LIMS, from ''[[LII:A Guide for Management: Successfully Applying Laboratory Systems to Your Organization's Work|A Guide for Management: Successfully Applying Laboratory Systems to Your Organization's Work]]'', Part 1: Laboratory Informatics Technologies, a webinar series by Joe Liscouski]]In many ways, a LIMS is the automated file clerk of a laboratory, responsible for storing, organizing and maintaining the laboratory’s data and information. However, a LIMS is more than just a file clerk; it has evolved to automate, simplify and secure many operational aspects of a laboratory. The LIMS does this by offering functionality such as sample and specimen management, inventory tracking, workflow management, instrument management and billing management, to name a few.  


However, we've come a long way since the 1960s, to a point where the question is no longer "can a computerized system help my lab?" but rather "how do I choose and implement an informatics system to help my lab?"
The definition of a LIMS has changed almost as rapidly as the workflows and data management needs of labs have changed over the last several decades. However, at its core, the LIMS remains a software-based tool designed with the goal of improving efficiencies in a laboratory’s workflow and supporting efforts towards standardization and compliance in the lab. When designed well, the LIMS also provides flexibility and security to a lab’s operations. As [[laboratory informatics]] veteran Joe Liscouski notes in ''[[LII:The Application of Informatics to Scientific Work: Laboratory Informatics for Newbies|The Application of Informatics to Scientific Work]]'', a LIMS is able to do these things in several ways<ref name="LiscouskiTheApp21">{{cite web |title=[[LII:The Application of Informatics to Scientific Work: Laboratory Informatics for Newbies|The Application of Informatics to Scientific Work: Laboratory Informatics for Newbies]] |author=Liscouski, J. |date=April 2021}}</ref>:


Today we find the laboratory information management system (LIMS) and its related companion, the laboratory information system (LIS), to be the most common informatics solutions used in laboratories. In the next section, we examine what LIMS and LIS are and how they are able to streamline laboratory workflows and improve conformance to laboratory standards and regulatory requirements.
<blockquote>Want to find a list of samples that are pending a particular test? A quality LIMS can readily display that information, including the sample numbers, priorities, and current locations, with no need to manually check work request sheets. Does a third party want to find out the status of one or more of their in-process samples? Role-based access management means a third party can receive limited access to view that status, without seeing anyone else's sensitive data. What about verifying and approving results? The LIMS can provide some level of results checking, with final verification and approval by lab management. When approved, the reports for each set of requests can be printed, emailed, or stored for portal access. And what about integrating data and systems? The LIMS can be connected to an instrument data system (IDS). Depending on the sophistication of that system, the LIMS can generate a worklist of samples that needs to be processed by that device, with the list downloaded to the IDS. When the work is completed, the results can be uploaded directly to the LIMS. This type of system interaction is one of the places where significant productivity gains can be had.</blockquote>


==References==
==References==
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Revision as of 15:54, 9 March 2022

Slide detailing the core components of a LIMS, from A Guide for Management: Successfully Applying Laboratory Systems to Your Organization's Work, Part 1: Laboratory Informatics Technologies, a webinar series by Joe Liscouski

In many ways, a LIMS is the automated file clerk of a laboratory, responsible for storing, organizing and maintaining the laboratory’s data and information. However, a LIMS is more than just a file clerk; it has evolved to automate, simplify and secure many operational aspects of a laboratory. The LIMS does this by offering functionality such as sample and specimen management, inventory tracking, workflow management, instrument management and billing management, to name a few.

The definition of a LIMS has changed almost as rapidly as the workflows and data management needs of labs have changed over the last several decades. However, at its core, the LIMS remains a software-based tool designed with the goal of improving efficiencies in a laboratory’s workflow and supporting efforts towards standardization and compliance in the lab. When designed well, the LIMS also provides flexibility and security to a lab’s operations. As laboratory informatics veteran Joe Liscouski notes in The Application of Informatics to Scientific Work, a LIMS is able to do these things in several ways[1]:

Want to find a list of samples that are pending a particular test? A quality LIMS can readily display that information, including the sample numbers, priorities, and current locations, with no need to manually check work request sheets. Does a third party want to find out the status of one or more of their in-process samples? Role-based access management means a third party can receive limited access to view that status, without seeing anyone else's sensitive data. What about verifying and approving results? The LIMS can provide some level of results checking, with final verification and approval by lab management. When approved, the reports for each set of requests can be printed, emailed, or stored for portal access. And what about integrating data and systems? The LIMS can be connected to an instrument data system (IDS). Depending on the sophistication of that system, the LIMS can generate a worklist of samples that needs to be processed by that device, with the list downloaded to the IDS. When the work is completed, the results can be uploaded directly to the LIMS. This type of system interaction is one of the places where significant productivity gains can be had.

References