What is a laboratory information system, or LIS?

A laboratory information system, or LIS, is a computer system that interfaces to the medical equipment used in a laboratory for testing. Also known as a laboratory information management system, or LIMS, an LIS also stores patient results and quality control information. This kind of lab software should also be able to interface to other healthcare software, including practice management systems, or PM, and electronic health records, or EHR (also known as electronic medical records, or EMR).

Laboratories served

Laboratory software is designed to meet the needs of a variety of laboratories including:

• POL (Physician Office Lab) - A POL is a laboratory located within a physician office. Such labs may provide hematology, urine, and possibly chemistry testing.
• Hospital Lab - Laboratories in a hospital setting typically run a full range of tests including hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, and microbiology
• Reference Lab - A stand-alone laboratory that services surrounding community doctors or hospitals is known as a reference lab. Reference laboratories include well known nationwide laboratory chains. A reference lab typically offers standard clinical testing as well as specialized testing.
• Anatomic Pathology - AP testing involves the examination of organs and tissues and presents workflow challenges that are unique compared to clinical testing.
• Pain Management - Laboratories that specialize in pain management test for the usage and therapy of pain management medicine using GC/MS specialized instruments. A pain management test will state if a patient's results are consistent with the drugs he or she is prescribed.
• Veterinary - Veterinary laboratories perform clinical testing for animals, and CGM LABDAQ can be tailored to fit the needs of a veterinary lab as well.

Lab needs fulfilled

Laboratories face unique challenges that can be met more easily with a good laboratory information system.

For example, labs must be compliant with CLIA (the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) and state regulations. CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) regulates almost all laboratory testing performed on humans in the US through CLIA. The objective of the CLIA program is to ensure quality laboratory testing. A good lab management system assists laboratories with CLIA compliance and provides secure, reliable workflows to ensure quality, consistent testing.

For the unique demands of anatomic pathology, CompuGroup Medical offers the intuitive CGM AP EASY.

Clinical testing software such as the CGM LABDAQ Laboratory Information System facilitates a secure integration with EMR, billing software, and reference labs. to enable the secure transfer of health information, improve workflow efficiency, and maximize reimbursements.

For a multi-lingual, clinical laboratory solution, or for reference laboratories that prefer an integrated billing solution, CGM offers the CGM SCHUYLAB Laboratory Information System.

To connect with some providers, a reference lab may additionally require a secure, web portal to receive orders and transmit results. Both of CGM's leading clinical laboratory information systems offer an option designed with this purpose in mind. For CGM LABDAQ, we offer the CGM LABNEXUS Laboratory Outreach Solution, and for CGM SCHUYLAB, there is CGM SCHUYNET.

For added convenience, CGM LABDAQ users can purchase consumables such as labels and other common items at the CGM Shop Lab online store.