# Presentation: 207865

## Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

**Reshma Kakkar**
**GAP**

## Goals of GAP

- Provide assistance with development of systems that support best lab practices and allow for timely management and retrieval of data
- Promote use of generic, portable systems that can be developed once and deployed in multiple countries

## LIMS is the sum of ...

- hardware, software, people, procedures
- and data

## Role of LIMS

- To manage
- Data
- Work flow
- Changing business needs/processes
- Existing systems and improving where required
- Resources
- QA/QC

## Why have a LIMS? 

- Improve data management in lab to increase lab potential
- Enable centralization of information
- Support and enhance business processes of the lab
- Take advantage of new lab information technology
- Provide easy access to data

## Enterprise LIMS

**Specimen Tracking**

**Patient Tracking**

## Specimen tracking

- Track specimens from receipt, processing, testing, reporting to storage
- Electronically capture results from lab diagnostic equipment and store with specimen details
- Protocols and algorithms for testing and final result determination

## Patient Tracking 

- Patient focus
- Enable determination of patient outcomes
- Integrate patient and specimen information
- Support patient management and care/treatment

## Possible Solutions	

- LITS Plus
- Epi Info 2002
- ASTRO
- MS Access
- Visual Basic
- SAS (statistical/analytical software)

## Solutions detailed

- LITS Plus – CDC developed tool for building applications to support lab processes – recommended for public health/reference labs
- Epi Info – CDC developed tool usable for building applications to for labs – recommended for small clinical labs
- MS Access – commercially available tool that can be used in conjunction with VB to build applications

**Notes:**
Solutions may be standardized way of addressing issues or catered to a country’s specific needs

## LIMS decision

- Type of lab
- Reference/research/public health
- Clinical
- Hybrid
- Volume of specimens
- Types and number of tests
- Size of staff/users
- Existing system
- Determine which areas will be affected
- Requirements and expectations
- Avoid ‘culture shock’

**Notes:**
Need to make a wish list – prioritize
Technology should not cause harm

## Keep in mind ...

- Implementation of LIMS requires close collaboration between lab and informatics
- LIMS needs to be a priority for both groups
- Re-thinking of lab operations may be required
- Staff required to build and support
- Development of standards

**Notes:**
What new skills and practices will be required to maximize value of LIMS investment? (Resources required)
How will LIMS alter interdepartmental relationships? (Build consensus)
What is the value of the LIMS in supporting medium to longer-term strategic objectives?
   (Get support)

## Current Status

- Uganda: LITS Plus in production; using Epi Info 2002 for accessioning specimens, Visual Basic for some aspects of specimen management
- Zimbabwe: LITS Plus in production
- Kenya: Considering LITS Plus

## Examples

## Next steps

- GAP Atlanta
- Improve information management
- Provide technical expertise
- Facilitate collaboration
- GAP site
- Resources and commitment
- Person time