Medical Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)

Introduction: The laboratory testing process consists of five analysis phases featuring the total testing process framework. Activities in laboratory process, including those of testing, are error-prone and affect the use of laboratory information systems. This study seeks to identify error factors related to system use and the first and last phases of the laboratory testing process using a proposed framework known as total testing process-laboratory information systems. Materials and Methods: We conducted a qualitative case study in two private hospitals and a medical laboratory. We collected data using interviews, observations, and document analysis methods involving physicians, nurses, an information technology officer, and the laboratory staff. We employed the proposed framework and Lean problem-solving tools namely Value Stream Mapping and A3 for data analysis. Results: Errors in laboratory information systems and the laboratory testing process were attributed to failure to fulfill user requirements, poor cooperation between the information technology unit and laboratory, the inconsistency of software design in system integration, errors during inter-system data transmission, and lack of motivation in system use. The error factors are related to system development elements, namely, latent failures that considerably affected the information quality and system use. Errors in system development were also attributed to poor service quality. Conclusion: Complex laboratory testing process and laboratory information systems require rigorous evaluation in minimizing errors and ensuring patient safety. The proposed framework and Lean approach are applicable for evaluating the laboratory testing process and laboratory information systems in a rigorous, comprehensive, and structured manner.

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Medical laboratory information systems

ACM SIGBIO Newsletter ◽

10.1145/951462.951464 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 5-8

Author(s):

David Eide ◽

Diane Kulmus ◽

Ron Hutchings

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Medical Laboratory ◽

Laboratory Information Systems

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Integrating Legacy Laboratory Information Systems into a Client-Server World: The University of Minnesota Clinical Workstation (CWS) Project

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1634602 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 34 (03) ◽

pp. 289-296 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

B. H. Sielaff ◽

D. P. Connelly ◽

K. E. Willard

Keyword(s):

Information Systems ◽

Clinical Decision ◽

Database Management System ◽

University Of Minnesota ◽

Client Server ◽

Clinical Workstation ◽

Future Hospital ◽

The Cost ◽

The University ◽

Laboratory Information Systems

Abstract:The development of an innovative clinical decision-support project such as the University of Minnesota’s Clinical Workstation initiative mandates the use of modern client-server network architectures. Preexisting conventional laboratory information systems (LIS) cannot be quickly replaced with client-server equivalents because of the cost and relative unavailability of such systems. Thus, embedding strategies that effectively integrate legacy information systems are needed. Our strategy led to the adoption of a multi-layered connection architecture that provides a data feed from our existing LIS to a new network-based relational database management system. By careful design, we maximize the use of open standards in our layered connection structure to provide data, requisition, or event messaging in several formats. Each layer is optimized to provide needed services to existing hospital clients and is well positioned to support future hospital network clients.

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