Understanding a LIMS and How it Can Help Your Organization

If you run or work in a lab, you may have heard of a LIMS system, but what is it?
A LIMS, or laboratory information management system, is a type of software designed to support a lab’s operations from sample registration to report generation.

There are many LIMS providers out there, such as Sapio Sciences, which can make it tricky to know which is right for your needs. In this post, we will discuss how a LIMS system can streamline laboratory tasks and simplify your data collection and storage processes. We will also cover key features of LIMS and how they can benefit your organization.

How LIMS streamlines data collection and storage processes

Data collection and analysis is one key element of a sound laboratory information management system. A LIMS will provide the user with accurate and detailed records of each sample collected and store it safely.

Further, safety is another aspect a suitable LIMS should provide because laboratory data can be sensitive at times. This reduces the odds that your data will get lost or mixed up during processing within various departments in your organization.

Additionally, as the sample is being collected and entered into the system, it will generate a unique barcode, which the various departments can use. Every user can scan this barcode to ascertain that the information is up-to-date.

As the samples make their way across the various departments, the LIMS will record who had access to it and when the access was made. This is crucial in information handling.

Key Features of LIMS

• Audit Management

Audit trails are essential in maintaining transparency and building trust between labs and clients. LIMS provides the means to carry out audits and follow the path of a record from the initial to the last transaction made.

LIMS can automate audits and also control them to ascertain that all the regulations and guidelines are met.

LIMS system can also detect any form of irregularity and inform the user to minimize the risk of extensive damage.

• Chain of Custody

Highly regulated laboratories must have a tight chain of custody (CoC). That is because they may have sensitive samples that should not be tampered with at any cost.

Forensic labs mostly employ this feature in their LIMS for evidence collection, retention, and even executing the process of disposal.

A suitable LIMS keeps track of the CoC by recording the Location ID and User ID.

• Customer Relationship Management

LIMS maintains all demographic information related to the customers. Therefore, it keeps details of their location and other contact information.

Other advanced types of LIMS allow the client to place orders on samples delivered to them by various courier services.

• Barcode Handling

In the past, labs used handwritten labels to mark various samples in a lab setting. However, the LIMS allows users to use barcodes. Barcodes are better because one does not have to struggle reading through illegible handwriting, and it further reduces the risk of human error.

Barcodes are better because they provide lab technicians with accurate data, and it also creates more space for information on the label.

• Inventory Management

Many labs struggle with maintaining a good inventory. The inventory must always be up to date, and this process may use up a lot of time.

Nonetheless, LIMS assists in controlling and managing inventories.

Benefits of using LIMS

Some of the significant benefits of using a laboratory information management system include:

• Simplified data entry
Through the use of barcodes, information entry is streamlined

• Increased security of information
Only persons with access rights can get hold of the sample and its contents

• Reduced clerical work
This is because most of the work is automated

• Reduced human error
Human error may occur during the recording of the samples or at any other stage

• Backing the lab’s regulatory compliance requirements
Many regulated labs are required to have a comprehensive audit trail by regulatory authorities.

• Improved quality services and the introduction of quality control measures.

What do Labs use LIMS for?

• Sample management

LIMS can track, document, and manage the lab’s inventory. Further, it saves lab technician’s a lot of time that would otherwise be spent on manual data entry.

• Stability study management

LIMS can be used to study the effects of storing samples at various degrees and conditions.

• Lot Management and Release

The system allows the user to monitor batch usage.

LIMS System Final Thoughts

LIMS system training is essential for all lab personnel before they can begin to use the system. However, after the training, a lab may realize all the benefits stated in this post and many others. Lastly, LIMS is suitable even for smaller labs.