User's perspective of laboratory information system : a study on a tertiary level pathology laboratory of Bangladesh

Abstract

Pathology is a data based discipline. Almost 70% of objective information related to patient management comes from pathology laboratories and helps to take its position in the center of patient care. So laboratory information must be accurate, comprehensive and available in real-time. Laboratory Information System (LIS) as a core component of modern pathology laboratories can ensure the excellence of laboratory services from beginning to end. This qualitative study was conducted from May to June 2020 in Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) Bangladesh, a tertiary level pathology institute to assess the user's perspective of LIS services. Fifteen serving persons from five stakeholder groups of AFIP having more than one year LIS operational experience were recruited purposively. Data were collected by in-depth interview. Of the 15 respondents, 80% were male with a mean (SD) LIS operational experience of 3.50 (1.73) years and ranging from 01 to 06 years. None of the respondent has experience to use LIS other than AFIP. User's perspective was explored by assessing the attributes against standard benchmark and user's view points. AFIP is a stand-alone laboratory. Out of the standard attributes, information security, test ordering, specimen management, QC, analysis and result reporting options were found to be addressed with some limitations. On the other hand, this LIS completely lacks, auto validation, data mining, administrative and financial issues and public health notifications facilities. It was found from the study that authority focused on those criteria which were related mainly with test procedure. This bi-directional LIS is user friendly with proper backup support and regular up gradation of software is ensured. From user's viewpoint HIS connectivity, CPOE, electronic result reporting, specimen tracking, notification management, fully automated QC, auto validation and method validation are important issues which need to be addressed soon. Most of the stakeholders have limited technical knowledge about the vast capability of LIS. In conclusion it can be said that important deficient attributes need to be incorporated with in this LIS with a five year road map. Continuous capacity building program will also help to achieve desired standard. IMPLICATION OF THE THEMATIC PAPER 1) Help to develop a new LIS in future 2) Authority will consider the recommendations of stakeholders in optimization of systems' UIs 3) Outcome will show the way to higher user satisfaction which will lead to higher efficiency as well as effectiveness of laboratories of Bangladesh. 4) A broad scale study on users' satisfaction including patients and clinical providers may be planned to evaluate the system