The Role of LIMS in Improving Laboratory services at NPHL, Kenya Edwin Ochieng APHL HUQAS Conference Nairobi, Kenya September 2011
Introduction Information inform of test results is the primary product of the laboratory This information should be accurate and available on time Lab data is vital for clinical decision making and public health intervention Laboratory information system ensures that quality laboratory service has been rendered
Laboratory services Technology shift to fully automated analyzers for batch testing Rapid scale up of ART program-increased workload This posses a challenge to analyze samples, summarize, store and retrieve patients results over time from log books and paper records
Laboratory Data Manual specimen management (time consuming and source of errors) No standardized data (lab) tools Data not centralized (located on computers/paper/books in different lab sections) Data managed with different software applications No specialized software in Data Management System
A shift to LIMS Laboratory information management system (LIMS) is a software designed to electronically store laboratory data. It is accepted standard for data storage, sample management and data retrieval throughout the analytical stage
A shift to LIMS-Implementation process
High Level Requirements Systems Context Diagram Ø User Accounts Provider Management Patient Test Catalog Request Specimen Management (storage) Tracking Testing Scheduling Mangement Results Reports Quality Control Instrument maintenance Manager TAT module Inventory Alerts /events Tracker Localization Management Functional Capabilities Reference Data Transactions Value Add Hosting Architecture Hardware & Operating system Database Mangement system Connectivity / Network High Availability Integration Interface Software Security Backup Restore Anti - virus Monitoring Alerts Audit Trail System Requirements LIMS – High Level Requirements Systems Context Diagram Lab Instruments Description Service Manufacturer Model Instrument List Interfaces
At work
Successes 1 Sample management streamlined-GLP Generation of reports Monitor workload per section Effective use of laboratory resources -reagent Inventory module Equipment manager
Successes 2 Interface of lab instruments. Validation of results Capacity building Faster decision making Monitor turn around time (TAT)
TAT monitoring Days Biannual analysis of TAT for program parameters 55 45 32 20 11 5 73 64 22 7 10 30 40 50 60 70 80 January Febuary March April May June ELISA_AG-AB Viral load Days Biannual analysis of TAT for program parameters NHRL 2011
Testimonials “Since, the introduction of LIMS in our lab, the services of the laboratory are faster, samples can be tracked, we have improved on TAT, we are happy and I believe our customers too”- Thomas Gachoki-HIV ref lab
Lessons learnt Road to LIMS implementation is bumpy Facility ownership is key Instill a sense of ownership early Need for strong lab leadership and management User requirements specification require technical experts support
Thank you
Acknowledgment NPHL/ Strategic information unit HIV reference lab Microbiology lab TB Central reference lab CDC APHL