LESSON 4

LABORATORY INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
 Lesson Intended Learning Outcomes (LILO):

1. Discuss the purpose, functional requirements, features and core

components of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
2. Describe the Laboratory Standards in the hospitals
3. Explain the process of using an LIMS in the registration, billing, contract
management and accounts receivable in LIMS
4. Discuss work list, workflow and Quality Control
• A Laboratory Information Management System
(LIMS) is software designed to make labs more
efficient and effective, especially those that
process massive amounts of samples for
research and development (R&D),
manufacturing, and medical research.

• The ultimate motive

of a LIMS is to
enhance efficiency
in lab operations
through reducing
manual
responsibilities.
Functional Requirements and Features of LIMS

Sample
Sample Workflow
Workflow Reporting
Reporting EMR/EHR
EMR/EHR Mobile
Mobile ERP
ERP
Management
Management Management
Management
Core Components of LIMS

Electronic
laboratory
notebooks
Sample
ERP
management
software
Programs

Best
Process
Practice and

LIM
Execution
Compliance
Software
Databases

S
Client Records
Tracking Managemen
application t Software

Application
Workflow
s to
tools
interface
Laboratory Standards
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) released an “Occupational Exposure to
Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard(29
CFR 1910.1450)” in 2011 to facilitate laboratory
safety.

• If the Laboratory standard applies, employers must

develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP).

 A CHP is the laboratory’s program

which addresses all aspects of the
Laboratory standard.
Patient Registration
Billing
 Contract Management
 Customer customizable invoices including balance and
charges history analysis, history balance, detailed
services, participation when in insurance coverage,
discounts etc.
 Different electronic formats for invoices allow
interfacing to customer electronic systems
 Customizable information completion reports for
customers
 Managerial reports display laboratory billing status for
payer groups including projected return values for each
payer group
 Ability to change the Insurance Organization of a
Patient per visit.
 Contract Management
 Ability to select which Tests of a Patient’s Visit are
covered by the Insurance Organization and which
are privately – with automatic modification of the
prices accordingly.
 Supervision – financial data management of the
Senders.
 Reminder for amounts due from past visits.
 Immediate access to the Billing Card of each
Patient.
 Consistency with the International Laws.
Accounts Receivables
 •Work list and Work flow

• Quality Control results are used to verify

whether or not the instrument is working
within prescribed parameters, confirming
that patient test results are reliable.

• Barcode-generation, printing and reading

• In-built bi-directional interfaces with

equipment
 KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
 A laboratory information management system (LIMS) is software designed to make labs more efficient and
effective.
 The ultimate motive of a LIMS is to enhance efficiency in lab operations through reducing manual
responsibilities.
 The core components of LIMS are electronic la notebooks, sample management programs, process execution
software, records management software, applications interface, work flow tools, client tracking, best practice
and compliance databases and ERP software.
 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an “Occupational Exposure to
Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard(29 CFR 1910.1450)” in 2011 to facilitate laboratory safety.
 LIMS covers registration, billing, contact management and accounts receivable.
 LIMS assist laboratories in setting priorities of current workloads, based on analyst and instrument
availability.
 LIMS have functions that enable users to set standards about the relevant range of patient test results, or
extract test result information for the purpose of quality assurance.
 LIMS modules are commonly linked to a bar coding label generator, enabling a fast and easy method to
identify tubes, samples, documents, among many others. Simply print it on labels stickers to place on
whatever item needs identification.
 A bi-directional interface application saves the technologist the time to program test orders into the analyzer,
and eliminates errors in manual entry. This can result in a considerable enhancement in analyzer productivity.