Implementation of a Laboratory Information System in a Simulated Laboratory

Abstract

Electronic health records are the principal method of storing patient health data. Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), a portion of the EHR, are the main avenue for laboratory staff to store data and provide laboratory results to health care providers. This paper examines the implementation of an LIS in an institution where simulated laboratories are the core of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) education. The LIS was introduced in a simulated laboratory course taught to 18 students in the 3rd year of a 4-year program. After 10 weeks, students were given a questionnaire rating the software's ease of use. Students rated the software as fairly easy (38.9%), easy (50%) and very easy (11.1%). Dislikes included manually inputting results, slow software navigation, and the use of older laptop computers. The ease of patient identification through generating labels, and the absence of paper reports were expressed as positive aspects. Ordering tests, adding tests, editing results, and printing extra labels were listed as areas where students desired more practice. Overall, students welcomed exposure to the software with an 88.9% responding its use better simulated a laboratory environment. Based on student feedback, modifications were made with subsequent groups. Wireless Internet was switched to a wired connection. The purchase of an interface minimized data entry. The LIS was implemented in lower division MLS courses to maximize exposure. Future considerations involve the purchase of more interfaces, continued faculty training, and using the LIS as a tool for case study analysis. ABBREVIATIONS: MLS- Medical Laboratory Science, ACA- Affordable Care Act, LIS-Laboratory Information System, EHR-Electronic Health Record, EMR-Electronic Medical Record