A laboratory information system (LIS) is software. Hospitals use this software for handling all of the information that is generated by laboratory processes. LIS provide modules for sending lab tests order to the instruments, track the orders, and then capture the results as soon as they are available. The result can then be analysed and a report generated from it. Deciding on a LIS vendor is a criticle undertaking for all labs. An LIS has complex software applications which comprise hundreds of tables and critical definitions to build, validate and maintain.
When a patient is admitted into the hospital the system will be used to order tests, provide specimen processing assistance, receive the results from instrumentation and report on the patient testing.
When test or lab requests are first put in they are given a unique identifier with which to track them. If specimens are to be taken from the patient they will be labled with a bar code specimen label produced by the LIS. These bar codes allow the specimen to be tracked from when it is taken from the patient to when it is discarded. Once the specimen has been collected it will be brought to the appropriate lab for processing. The transfer is recorded in the LIS. Orders for the lab work that is to be done with the specimen is in the barcode on the specimen. When the barcode is read the order is matched with the previously downloaded order in the instrument. Once available the results are entered into the system manually or automatically from an instrument. The results are released once checked by the LIS. Last of all Lab Reports are created by the LIS. The reports can be printed, faxed, delivered by email or delivered by file. The customization of an LIS lab reports and modes of delivery depends on the provider and instilation.
* Patient Check In
* Order Entry
* Specimen Processing
* Result Entry
* Reporting
* Order entry (Web based)
* Web based results
* Emailing and faxing lab reports
* Customizing reports
* Preliminary and final reporting
* Billing
* Public health reporting