The Laboratory Information Management System

TCS Programme TCS 3518: Laboratory Information Management System. Aug 2001 — Aug 2003.

anaging information in a Microbiology Laboratory encompasses information about clients, samples, results, billing, and quality assurance standards. The integration of this complex information cannot be achieved using a simple database. Information systems do exist for processing some of this type of data, however they cannot be easily tailored to suit the large variety of report formats required by different company clients. In addition, it is not easy for clients to track the status of their sample analysis during intermediate stages.

The aim of this TCS project was to develop a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) with a Web based portal that allowed secure tracking of samples by the company and clients, the tailoring of reports to client needs, traceability and auditing of samples and their analysis results. The work done during the project significantly improved company efficiency and effectiveness by the application of IT to sample traceability, report generation and internal/external communications and helped the company utilise its existing laboratory instrumentation to its full potential. It also improved the company's web based marketing, allowing customers to securely download reports from the website.