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New lab info management system

Major improvements are afoot at SESL. Recently we announced our new ICP-OES gizmo, which has simultaneously increased our analytical capacity (and accuracy) and decreased turnaround times. We’re currently working on even bigger improvements that promise to achieve international best practice, cut turnaround times, reduce the opportunity for error and improve staff flexibility. This is our forthcoming Laboratory Information Management System, or LIMS.

The need for change

Our system of work flow at SESL has evolved over the years as equipment has improved, clients’ needs have expanded, we have gained knowledge and legislation has developed. Now we need to bring it up to date.

The purchase of the new ICP-OES was the first stage in a major reinvestment in the machinery of the lab: in instruments, procedures and staff knowledge (through training). With the help of a firm that specialises in LIMS automation, Executive Data Systems, we are now readying the lab for automated sample tracking, data collation and verification, and error flagging.

Currently, at every stage on a sample’s passage through the lab, data on the sample are entered by hand into our database. In most cases, the data are first read off the instruments and handwritten onto a data sheet. We aim to remove these opportunities for errors to creep in, greatly speed up data collection and allow multiple staff to work simultaneously on a sample instead of having to wait for the previous step to be completed.

Automation

The LIMS relies on a hardware and software package called XQue (pronounced X Q). The key feature of XQue is its insertion between the instrumentation and the database. Each newer laboratory instrument will be connected via wireless network to a dedicated computer that collates all sample data. When a sample is received, XQue determines from the client’s testing specifications which tests are to be performed. When a staff member calls up the day’s job list, XQue sends the instructions to a notebook computer attached (permanently or transiently) to the instrument, which identifies the sample codes, the tests to be done and the order in which tests must be done. To avoid errors, it will not permit any step to be done until the previous one is completed.

XQue will allow us the flexibility to tailor test suites to exactly your needs at no more cost than the standard test suites.

All samples will be barcoded, so any staff member can scan any sample and know immediately whose it is and where it’s up to. All samples from a job can be tracked, so any mislaid samples can be quickly reunited with their batch. Split samples can be issued to multiple staff simultaneously, so throughput will be faster. And because all results will be transmitted via wireless network, the savings in time and labour will virtually eliminate errors and speed up throughput even more.

If an urgent job comes in, XQue will automatically promote it to the head of the queue and alert all relevant staff.

Older instruments will eventually be replaced with newer equipment that can be integrated into the LIMS.

When all data have been collated, XQue cross-checks everything and performs QA/QC checks before sending the full data set to the database. At this point, our consultants can call up the data and begin to prepare their reports, knowing that they have everything they need.

The LIMS will be introduced in stages over the next 2 years. We’ll keep you informed of progress.

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