CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
A lab information system (“LIS”) is a class of software that receives, processes, and stores information generated by medical laboratory processes. These systems often must interface with instruments and other information systems such as hospital information systems (HIS). A LIS is a highly configurable application which is customized to facilitate a wide variety of laboratory workflow models. Deciding on an LIS vendor is a major undertaking for all labs. Vendor selection, typically takes months of research and planning. Installation takes from a few months to a few years depending on the complexity of the organization. There are as many variations of LISs as there are types of lab work. Some vendors offer a full service solution capable of handling a large hospital lab’s needs, others specialize in specific modules. Disciplines of laboratory science supported by LIS’ include hematology, chemistry, immunology, blood bank (Donor and Transfusion Management), surgical pathology, anatomical pathology, flow cytometry and microbiology.
This article covers clinical lab which encompasses hematology, chemistry and immunology. Laboratory Information Systems are often part of an integrated informatics solution which involve many disparate applications. Use of an LIS is a critical piece of the clinical IT spectrum of systems and contributes significantly to the overall care given to patients. The LIS is used in inpatient and outpatient settings and in many cases is designed to support both. From an outpatient/ambulatory perspective, LIS interaction frequently begins after a physician has arrived at an initial diagnosis. For example, a patient enters the hospital looking pale and complaining of fatigue. The physician, suspecting anemia, might decide to order a Full blood count (FBC). In an inpatient setting when that patient is admitted into the hospital, the system is used to order tests, provide specimen processing assistance, receive the results from analyzers and deliver lab reports to the attending physician
