| dc.description.abstract | Nearly 70% of objective information required for patient management is derived from
medical laboratories. Sri Lanka highlights the necessity of a laboratory information
management system (LIMS) that supports private public partnerships. This study aimed
at identifying user requirement on account of designing a scalable LIMS suitable for
private sector hospitals in Colombo. A descriptive study was conducted in four selected
private hospitals in Colombo using qualitative data derived from in-depth interviews of
all categories of health care providers. Interviews were prompted by an off the shelf
LIMS. Three rounds of Delphi process were conducted to refine the findings. Process
observations and document review were also done. Data was analysed thematically.
LIMS requirements overarching pre-analytical, analytical and post analytical phases of
a laboratory cycle were identified as, data capturing, data storing, data processing, data
sharing. The fifth theme, data security encircles all themes. Six activity touch points:
patient identification and registration, request or test ordering, sample collection, sample
receiving, sample management and issuance of reports were also identified. Requirements
of other support services were: procurement and stock management, test pricing and
business rule engines, quality control, integration, and generation of statistics. A well
design LIMS requires data capturing, data storing, data processing and data sharing in all
activity touch points while assuring data security. Further, it should support procurement,
business rule engines, quality control, integration, and statistics generation. | |
