Traditional laboratory information systems were built with a client-server architecture. However, the world wide web has provided the tools and technologies for you to monitor lab operations in real-time from any part of the world. Apart from the convenience offered to web application users, these web-based apps are easy to deploy and maintain. The only platform required for deployment is the web browser on a mobile device or PC. Today, we’ll be exploring some of the benefits inherent in building a web based laboratory portal for your lab or radiology service.
1. Instant Availability
After a one-time installation, the web-enabled LIMS is available to anyone who has the website’s correct login details. This use of a ubiquitous interface makes it easy for laboratory staff to reduce the amount of time spent processing lab testing data. Lab staff will be more productive, and this productivity will translate into a better bottom line for the laboratory.
2. Efficient Customer Service
The benefits of a web-based lab interface aren’t limited to the ability to access it from any device in any part of the world. Labs of all sizes can turn this access into a powerful customer service tool. Whether it is a large lab with multiple facilities or a small lab with a small team of workers, the web interface makes it easy to promptly provide instant lab test results or promptly answer customer or provider inquiries.
Providing essential customers with a real-time stream of information may also be perceived as good customer service. Similarly, a web interface allows employees to access testing schedules and prepare hours or days before they get to work.
3. Users Need Little or No Training
Just like you use your banking portal, e-commerce site, and other web-based portals without any special training, most users will need little or no training to use the web-based portal.
The impact on the speed of training is best felt in bigger lab facilities. Instead of training taking up to a week for traditional client-server applications, training can be accomplished within 1 to 2 hours. Additional training materials in the form of FAQs, slide shows, animations, and user tours can be placed online for users to search at any time.
To further reduce the burden of training time, you can restrict user access to the pages most relevant to their needs to minimize confusion and make the application as simple as possible to use.
4. Reduce Sample and Order Errors
Web interfaces allow labs to do away with paper forms for good. Customers can complete their sample form online once and for all. Then they can tag the sample with their order number generated online.
Using an online form mitigates the duplication of effort required to fill paper forms more than once, eliminating transcription errors. The lab will know in advance that samples are coming in for testing, and they can easily use the information on the webform to match or confirm the sample’s content. The LIMS may print out the labels and forms for delivery to the laboratory with the sample to further reduce errors.
Are You Ready to Develop an Efficient Web Based Laboratory Portal?
Contact Lifepoint Informatics today to schedule a free consultation. We will show you our product demos and help you build a new web based laboratory portal or modify existing ones to make them truly efficient and productive.