OK, I need an LIS. How do I choose one?
Selecting from among the available LISs need not be a daunting task. The key is to focus first on your needs and clearly define the role that your LIS will play. By doing this, you can be sure that you'll get a system that is right for you both now and well into the future. Consider these suggestions...
Invest time up front to determine your needs
Developing a requirements statement begins with broad strokes and becomes progressively more specific. Start by making sure you understand the intermediate and long term goals of your parent organization and the role your lab plays in meeting those goals. Do you plan to market your outpatient services more aggressively? Will you be supporting a clinical outreach program, or be treating a higher percentage of managed care patients? Will lab data contribute to evaluating critical pathways?
Study your workflow
Imagine that you have been brought into your lab as a consultant to completely redesign its workflow. Review how orders are generated and communicated to the lab, how the patients or samples are delivered, how the samples are accessioned and prepared, how testing is actually accomplished, and how results are communicated to providers. Determine who performs each step in the cycle. How is your parent organization reimbursed for the work done in the lab, and how is reimbursement information exchanged?
Redesign your workflow
Now forget everything you know about your current workflow and decide how things should work for optimal quality and efficiency. What can be automated? When can information be communicated electronically? How much paper can be eliminated? Where can turnaround time be reduced?
Factor in any constraints that you feel are appropriate to your specific situation, such as for changing staffing assignments, or physical/geographic limitations. A pretty good picture of the ideal LIS should begin to emerge.