NHS Lanarkshire is introducing a single Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to support all five laboratory disciplines across all three acute hospital sites.

Karen Aitchison, service manager for the laboratories, said: “A number of disparate LIMS have historically been in operation across the three acute hospital sites.

“The new replacement Laboratory Information Management System and electronic laboratory Order Communications System procurement and implementation will move forward as part of the wider programme to establish a single LIMS across all laboratory disciplines and all three acute hospital sites within NHS Lanarkshire.

“This will ensure all systems and interfaces which will impact, or be impacted by the LIMS are coordinated to a common plan and timescale.”

LIMS is an information system that can schedule testing, track tests, and pass test results to other systems in the supply chain. The new system will be capable of managing clinical biochemistry, haematology, blood transfusion, microbiology and cellular pathology information.

A variety of staff will be expected to use the system in some way including laboratory users and laboratory service managers as well as clinicians who require web browser access to laboratory results.

Dr Ian Godber, consultant clinical scientist, said: “An effective LIMS to support and contribute to the electronic patient record forms a fundamental part of the national and local eHealth Strategies.

“The implementation of a single LIMS offers significant opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services including multi-disciplinary working, standardisation of operational workflow and improvements in the service to clinicians and patients.”