[LABMAN] : LESSON 5

• Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) : A collection of interlinked and dependent parts that are organized to collect and input data, process the data to information, output the information to users and provide feedback to the system with the goal of meeting the complete organizational.
• LIMS is a powerful tool to improve laboratory data management within laboratories and reporting of data externally.
• The market for public health LIMS in developing countries remains underdeveloped.
• LIMS includes :

  1. Sample Registration
  2. Workflow Management
  3. Test Configuration
  4. Result Input
  5. Result Validation
  6. Report Generation
• Computer-Based Information System : An information system that uses the components and technology of computers.
• CBIS includes :

  1. Your Clients
  2. Your Laboratory Organization
  3. Your Analytical Data
  4. Your Instruments
  5. Your Spreadsheets
  6. Different Levels of Validation
  7. Results Communication to your Clients
• Local Area Network (LAN) : A computer network that connects computers and their equipment in a confined area usually a building or a place in which the users are in close proximity.
• Wide Area Network (WAN) : Connects several LANs ; Maybe limited to an enterprise or accessible to the public (state, nation, whole world).
• LAN : Local Area Network
• MAN : Metropolitan Area Network
• LIMS Important Elements

  • Unique identifiers samples, patients
  • Standardized request forms
  • Logs, worksheets
  • Checking processes
  • Data protection
  • Confidential
  • Effective reporting systems
  • Effective communication
• Communication : The sharing of information between two or more individuals or groups to reach a common understanding ; act or process of receiving and transmitting messages.
• Basic Elements of the Communication Process :

  • Sender
  • Message
  • Mode of Transmission
  • Receiver
  • Encoding
  • Decoding
  • Feedback
  • Noise
• Sender : Person wishing to transmit a message ; The communication process starts with a sender (an individual or group) who wants to share information.
• Senders must decide what information to share (message).
• Message : The actual format of the communication effort including verbal and non-verbal signals, symbols and language transmitted.
• Verbal Communication : The encoding of messages into words, either written or spoken.
• Nonverbal : The encoding of messages by means of facial expressions, body language, and styles of dress.
• Mode of Transmission : The vehicle by which a message is sent: Oral, Written, Nonverbal, Recorded, Third party.
• Receiver : The target of the message either an individual or group.
• Encoding : Translating internal thought patterns into a language or code the intended receiver of the message will likely understand and/or pay attention to.
• Nature of the Messages :

  • Technical or Nontechnical
  • Emotional or Factual
  • Visual or Auditory
• Decoding : How a receiver translates the message.
• Successful decoding depends on the receiver having 


  01 : A willingness to receive the message.

  02 : Knowledge of the language and terminology used in the message.

  03 : An understanding of the sender's purpose and background situation.
• Feedback : The message returned by the receiver to the sender after decoding.
• Noise : Any interference with the normal flow of communication ; Understanding decreases as noise increases.
• Dealing with noise:

  01 : Make messages more understandable.

  02 : Minimize and neutralize sources of interference.
• Steps in Communication Process :


  01 : Sender has idea.

  02 : Sender encodes idea in message.

  03 : Message travels over channel.

  04 : Receiver decodes message.

  05 : Feedback travels to the sender.

  06 : Possible additional feedback to receiver.
• Barriers to Communication :

  1. Structural Barrier
  2. Semantics Barrier
  3. Technical Barrier
  4. People Barrier
  5. Outcome
• Structural Barrier : Spatial Constraints like the physical barriers of geography and certain job duties that isolate people from the normal communication channels of an organization.
• Action for Structural Barrier


  Remove or find alternative routes.
• Semantics Barrier : (Semantics) the branch of communication science that studies the denotation and connotation of words and messages.
• Denotation : the exact dictionary meaning of a word or phrase.
• Connotation : the context and nonverbal messages associated with a word or phrase.
• Action for Semantic Barriers


  Pay attention to both the content and context of a message.
• Technical Barrier : They occur during the transmission and reception of a message.
• Technical Barriers includes :

  01 : Defects in the equipment.

  02 : Environment (background noise, distracting activity).

  03 : Numerous rivals for attention.
• Action for Technical Barrier


  Find alternative routes and communicate at times where there is less interference.
• Action for People Barrier


  Provide training, groundwork, feedback, explanations, reassurance, credibility and trust.
• Perception Factors : How a message is viewed from the standpoint of the receiver.