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| FAQs: |
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| What is LIMS? |
| What is HIMS? |
| What is sample tracking? |
| What is barcoding? |
| What is interfacing and where is it used? |
| Does LIMS/ HIMS improve the efficiency of the lab/ hospital? |
| What is traceability? |
| What is audit trail? |
| What are the areas covered in an ideal HIMS? |
| Can you upgrade/ integration of an existing LIMS/ HIMS? |
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| What is LIMS? |
LIMS is an acronym for Laboratory Information and Management Systems. LIMS is a software that integrates the various manual processes in a laboratory.
The advantage of having a LIMS is that it streamlines laboratory processes such as sample collection, registration, tracking; inventory, stock management, supply; billing; accounts etc. LIMS also reduces manual error and increases the laboratory’s throughput. |
| What is HIMS? |
HIMS is an acronym for Hospital Information and Management Systems. HIMS is a software that integrates various sections/ modalities in a hospital such as the out-patient department & patient registrations, laboratory, pharmacy, medical records, supply chain management, accounts etc.
HIMS allows for stringency in hospital protocol and increases the efficiency of all the hospital departments through smooth function. Real time information from any section of the hospital is got at the click of a mouse. |
| What is sample tracking? |
Sample Tracking is a software enabled process that allows you to see the status of a patient sample at any given time. Sample Tracking in LIMS/ HIMS begins from the patient registration, sample collection, processing, report verification, validation and authorization followed by generation and dispatch of the report.
Sample Tracking has the advantage of minimizing manual error. It also reduces the patient’s waiting time significantly as the sample status can be determined almost immediately. |
| What is barcoding? |
Barcoding is a system of attaching unique identity to every sample so that the sample can be located with ease during the pre, post and analytical chain of events.
Barcodes provides faster sample identification and also increase efficiency during sample login or result entry. Barcodes have an advantage of drastically reducing manual errors in the laboratory or hospital. |
| What is interfacing and where is it used? |
Interfacing is connecting a laboratory instrument directly to report generation.
In a normal laboratory a sample follows the following route: sample collected>> sample registered >> taken to the respective section>> analyzed>> result is entered in the respective book>> result is entered into a computer>> report is generated,
This entire process in prone to a number of errors which is reduced if an instrument analyses and send the result to the computer that generates the report; after a step of result verification, validation and authorization. It also increases the efficiency of the laboratory or hospital. |
| Does LIMS/ HIMS improve the efficiency of the lab/ hospital? |
Without doubt, LIMS/ HIMS increase the efficiency of the laboratory/ hospital. For one, the errors due to manual entry are almost completely reduced.
Features such as sample tracking allow viewing received sample status at any given time. This reduces patient’s waiting time. Automation increases throughput and reduces turn-round time. Processes can be streamlined with the help of LIMS/ HIMS up to the stringent protocols of accreditation if required. |
| What is traceability? |
Traceability is the measurement of the result or value with a given standard or stated references. These references are usually set to national or international standards. Traceability refers to results of measurements by scientific instruments which is not a feature of the analyzing instrument. The traceability software allows for of the calibration report and this implies that the instrument is subjected to a quality assurance program. Traceability establishes quality in the testing. |
| What is audit trail? |
| Audit Trail is a continuous system of monitoring all activities and data transactions. Data stored comprises of operator, date and time, information and value or transaction. Audit protocol can be set or pre-defined such that entries follow a well-defined process. For instance the procurement system can be set such that a purchase order (PO) can be placed when stocks of item A run down to 10. The PO is placed with X after comparing quotes with Y and Z and finding X the lowest. The stringency can be set up according to the necessity of the hospital. It’s not just about procurement but audit trail finds application in all other areas of the hospital/ laboratory as well. |
| What are the areas covered in an ideal HIMS? |
| An ideal HIMS covers all the sections of the hospital: the front office, laboratory, pharmacy, medical records, CSSD, accounts & finance, supply chain and other medical departments. An ideal HIMS integrates all the various sections/ departments/ modalities of a hospital. It allows for centralization of data that can be viewed in real time. HIMS increases the efficiency of the hospital. |
| Can you upgrade/ integration of an existing LIMS/ HIMS? |
Yes, an existing LIMS/ HIMS in the scalable version can be upgraded as the demands of the laboratory/ hospital increases.
Having a basic LIMS/ HIMS allows for adding in extra features such as interfacing, barcoding etc.
Syscon employs the latest technology that allows for integration of stand-alone modules into our Information and Management systems. We could definitely integrate your existing pharma software into our HIMS or to our LIMS. |
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