Managing Electronic Data Reporting in the Medical Laboratory

Patient care is complex and depends on accurate and timely information, including patient examination information provided by the laboratory. The results provided by the laboratory are a valuable resource used to guide clinical decision making for improving patient outcomes. An efficient laboratory data management system is crucial for the smooth operation of the lab.

In addition to information coming into and going out of the laboratory for examinations, it is reasonable to expect that the information system will provide the laboratory’s administrative management with data and information for:

• Delivering internal communications
• Managing inventory of reagents, consumables, and other products
• Utilizing laboratory examinations
• Determining the cost per test
• Conducting internal audits and reporting to external assessment organizations

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guideline QMS22—Management of Paper-based and Electronic Laboratory Information provides guidance for managing the data stored in paper-based or electronic laboratory reporting systems and disseminated electronically or otherwise to users or other computer systems. Learn more about QMS22 here.