Computers in the Workplace

Healthcare Technology

I work in healthcare, in a laboratory setting to be more specific. Everyone here at work uses computers to complete their work. We use a laboratory information system (LIS) and a laboratory information management system (LIMS). 

LIS holds clinical data like scanned requisitions that doctors send in for tests which are used to confirm patient identity. 

LIMS on the other hand also stores and manages data but also creates reports from the samples that are tested. LIMS is what the laboratory testing side really uses. I have also used LIMS system in a microbiology food lab lab setting as well in the past. At my current job, our machines that run antibiotic sensitivities and get ID's interface with our LIMS system to allow us to review results before release. At the end of the day, it also allows us to run pending reports to see which samples still need to be released. 

We also use our computers to use Microsoft 365 programs (Excel) to document QC and (Outlook) also communicate with other departments regarding samples. Being computer literate in our industry is incredibly important because of HIPPA regulations and the potential to fall victim to phishing scams. For instance, in 2019 both Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp had announced data breaches where millions of PHI (protected health information) was compromised. I was working at the lab when they had to shut down the whole system for about a week. Many patient results were also affected by the breach since the systems were shut down suddenly without notice. My company provides technology education recaps every quarter now. They stress that we must encrypt our emails if they are going outside the company. 

In the future, I predict a network will be created so that doctors will be able to have the ability to track the status of samples from their computer once they're in the laboratory being prepped for tests. I also predict that doctors will also be able to communicate online in that system and not just through email or phone calls to facilitate test add on's.