Technology has literally changed our lives. From changing clothes to visiting the doctors we have all been used to using gadgets and different software to get through the daily tasks. Even the very thing that was done manually in the hospitals and the medical stores was the data keeping and writing down the patient information. As far as laboratory tests and management is concerned, there has always been a practice of keeping the records and data in simple excel sheets.
But with the increase in technology, what if I tell you that you don’t need to put in much effort if you are a laboratory worker and have to deal with several tests. All the procedures and steps have been made easier with the introduction of the Laboratory Information Management System. In modern times, there have been bigger chunks of data that need to be kept to keep in line with the flow of work that is being conducted.
For the advanced management of the data, the modern-day laboratories are focusing more on automated ways, and that is why are investing in laboratory management systems.
What actually is LIMS?
This is software that helps you take care of the samples of the patients and all the other relevant information that is needed to improve the efficiency of the lab. This way the tests, the procedures, and the overall patient history can be managed pretty well.
In today’s times, the management of patient information has been very tough. For that, tracking of the samples of the patients and the tests in the pipeline can easily be followed through this software.
Some of the major advantages and benefits of LIMS are listed below.
Automation
It is very difficult to keep a track of the samples when you need to do it manually, but with the use of this laboratory management software, it has been made way more effective and easier. The keeping of the samples by using barcodes has been very tiring for the lab operators for years but now with the software, the work that had to be done on every single step is now done automatically by the use of the software.
The software allows the lab operators to add the sample name, date, time, and even the location where the collection was done along with the processing data.
Management of the Inventory
The function of inventory management is quite basic and the first thing that should be kept in mind while managing. LIMS plays a major part in keeping the lab’s day-to-day management in line. LIMS is supposed to manage the stocks, the supplies, and the blood groupings. As far as the automatic reorders are concerned, LIMS does that efficiently too.
When the stock is getting depleted or is near the expiration date, it is made sure by the LIMS that a restock should be made. There are some alerts generated that notify the restocks, this helps greatly in smoothing out the workflow and preventing all kinds of delays that might generate from the unavailability of the stock.
LIMS also plays a major role in keeping you informed about the equipment and the supplies used in the labs, it notifies you about the up-to-date equipment too that must be used for better efficiency of the laboratory tests and methods being used there.
Reporting
Reporting is one of the most essential tasks that the laboratory management system handles. If you want to achieve an entire view of the data that has been collected and want to know about the potential trends then you can trust LIMS wholeheartedly.
Any kind of report related to the laboratory is generated in the LIMS software, whether it is sample tracking, sample history, sample summary, test results, inventory, invoices, freezer spacing, and even instrument calibration.
Conclusion
A LIMS installation is the best decision a laboratory can take and get themselves into. It allows you to manage the workflow and handle all the activities efficiently. The enhanced productivity, analytical accuracy, and smooth conduction of all the activities can be managed by LIMS. It can take all the information and then sort it out for you to understand.
For the best productivity and valid results, do use LIMS as this can help you greatly in the management of the workflow that occurs in the day-to-day life of the laboratory.
