The term LIS in medical settings stands for Laboratory Information System, a specialized software application designed to manage the comprehensive workflow of a clinical laboratory. This system processes, stores, and manages patient data generated during testing procedures. The LIS coordinates every step from the initial test request to the final delivery of results to the ordering physician. It is a fundamental component of modern healthcare technology, ensuring clinical data is handled accurately and efficiently.
Defining the Laboratory Information System
The Laboratory Information System is a purpose-built software platform that serves as the centralized command center for all laboratory operations. Unlike a general hospital information system, the LIS is tailored to the high-volume, patient-centric demands of clinical diagnostic testing. It manages complex data streams from various departments, including hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and anatomic pathology.
The system’s core purpose is to maintain a cohesive electronic record of a patient’s encounter with the laboratory. It is primarily used in hospital and large commercial reference laboratories. The LIS handles patient-specific specimens, distinguishing it from a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), which focuses on managing batches of samples in non-clinical or research environments.
Essential Functions of the LIS
The Laboratory Information System manages the entire testing process, beginning with the initial request. The system receives electronic test orders, known as accessioning, linking the requested tests directly to the patient record. This step generates a unique laboratory identifier, often printed on a barcode label, which is applied to the collected specimen.
This unique identifier is crucial for precise sample tracking, allowing the LIS to manage the specimen’s entire chain of custody. Technicians use the system to track the exact location and status of the sample as it moves through the laboratory. The LIS also manages the interface with physical testing instruments, automatically receiving raw data from analyzers like chemistry or immunology machines.
For quality assurance, the LIS includes robust Quality Control (QC) management functions. These functions track and document the performance of testing instruments using control materials, ensuring the analytical process performs within acceptable limits. After instruments generate raw results, the LIS enables technical staff to review and validate the data against established clinical rules. Only after this rigorous validation are the results authorized for release from the laboratory’s secure database.
Integration with the Healthcare Ecosystem
A Laboratory Information System functions as an interconnected hub within the broader healthcare technology landscape. A primary integration point is the electronic exchange of information with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. This connection allows final, validated test results to be transmitted directly into the patient’s permanent health record for the ordering clinician to review.
This seamless data exchange relies on standardized communication protocols, such as Health Level Seven (HL7), ensuring that disparate systems can accurately exchange clinical data. Automated communication with the EHR significantly reduces the risk of manual transcription errors and accelerates the time a physician receives critical patient information.
The LIS also maintains a direct interface with the laboratory’s physical testing instruments and analyzers. This automated connection minimizes manual data entry by electronically capturing results as soon as the analysis is complete. The LIS communicates with the analyzers to send the test order and receive the final data in return, improving both the speed and accuracy of the diagnostic process.