What does “LIS” mean?
“LIS” is an industry acronym that stands for Laboratory Information System. Ever since medical laboratories first started to use computers as the defining aspect of a lab’s workflow, “LIS” has been the shorthand term for the computer system that lab personnel log into and interact with as part of their daily workflow. The LIS software is the main component of the system, incorporating input screens for users to enter data, a database to store the data, and programs to transform and stream information to output devices (screens/printers) or other systems and databases.
What is the difference between “LIS” and “LIMS”?
“LIMS” is another industry acronym, standing for “Laboratory Information Management System”. Historically, an LIMS system referred to a computer system that focused on managing the actual samples in a lab. Samples (specimens) arrived in the lab, were sent to different workstations, and stored in different areas. An LIMS system tracked the sample itself, recorded results from instruments, and provided quality control. In contrast, the LIS system would be more concerned with managing and tracking patient (clinical) data. Today, there is much cross-over between the two terms – the modern LIS performs many of the sample management functions of the traditional LIMS.
Is LabGEM an LIS system or an LIMS system?
Way back in 1984, LabGEM was designed and produced as an LIS system. Our database was (and still is) a leader in the industry for storing and retrieving patient and test data quickly and cost-effectively at any scale. As the industry has evolved, so has LabGEM, and today we provide many of the functions of a true LIMS system – tracking sample storage, directly interfacing with instruments, and employing standardized quality control processes. LabGEM is a modern patient based LIS with the management capabilities of a traditional LIMS.
What does it mean when an LIS has a “Web Portal”?
Access to the LIS is typically limited to lab personnel and takes place in the lab itself. A web portal allows a doctor to go to the lab’s website and sign into his or her account to view the status and results of their patients. LabGEM’s web portal is called WebGEM, and not only allows the doctor to view their patients, get date-ranged activity reports and the like, but also to download new patient reports directly to their office, as well as place orders remotely. The independent lab is a business, and web portals such as WebGEM are a step forward in service and convenience for their primary customer, the doctor.
What is an “EMR Interface”?
“EMR” stands for Electronic Medical Record, meaning a patient’s medical record that is placed in a format that can be shared between different computer systems. In practice, this “sharing” takes a lot of work, and EMR has come to mean any computer system that handles patient medical records. Doctor’s offices have an EMR they use, just as labs have an LIS. An EMR interface allows a lab to securely place results directly into the doctor’s EMR, without the need for manual (double) entry. If a doctor has an EMR interface to their primary lab, it saves time and money. LabGEM has its EMR interface engine and interfaces to many of the most recognized EMR’s. Diamond Computing is always expanding its list of supported interfaces.
What makes Diamond Computing’s LabGEM LIS unique in the industry?
Unlike other laboratory information systems out there, LabGEM is both cost effective AND responsive to each lab’s unique workflow. LabGEM was designed to be configured for many different environments, and our programming and support teams pride themselves on the ability to make changes rapidly to respond to the needs of our clients. We will always compete on price, and we will never be beaten on customer service. Please contact us to set up an online demonstration of LabGEM. We’ll show you how we can make your lab better and more profitable.
