Laboratory information system requirements to manage the COVID-19 pandemic: A report from the Belgian national reference testing center

Abstract Objective The study sought to describe the development, implementation, and requirements of laboratory information system (LIS) functionality to manage test ordering, registration, sample flow, and result reporting during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods Our large (>12 000 000 tests/y) academic hospital laboratory is the Belgian National Reference Center for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing. We have performed a moving total of >25 000 SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction tests in parallel to stand... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Weemaes, Matthias
Martens, Steven
Cuypers, Lize
Van Elslande, Jan
Hoet, Katrien
Welkenhuysen, Joris
Goossens, Ria
Wouters, Stijn
Houben, Els
Jeuris, Kirsten
Laenen, Lies
Bruyninckx, Katrien
Beuselinck, Kurt
André, Emmanuel
Depypere, Melissa
Desmet, Stefanie
Lagrou, Katrien
Van Ranst, Marc
Verdonck, Ann K L C
Goveia, Jermaine
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2020
Reihe/Periodikum: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association ; volume 27, issue 8, page 1293-1299 ; ISSN 1527-974X
Verlag/Hrsg.: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28892087
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa081

Abstract Objective The study sought to describe the development, implementation, and requirements of laboratory information system (LIS) functionality to manage test ordering, registration, sample flow, and result reporting during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods Our large (>12 000 000 tests/y) academic hospital laboratory is the Belgian National Reference Center for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing. We have performed a moving total of >25 000 SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction tests in parallel to standard routine testing since the start of the outbreak. A LIS implementation team dedicated to develop tools to remove the bottlenecks, primarily situated in the pre- and postanalytical phases, was established early in the crisis. Results We outline the design, implementation, and requirements of LIS functionality related to managing increased test demand during the COVID-19 crisis, including tools for test ordering, standardized order sets integrated into a computerized provider order entry module, notifications on shipping requirements, automated triaging based on digital metadata forms, and the establishment of databases with contact details of other laboratories and primary care physicians to enable automated reporting. We also describe our approach to data mining and reporting of actionable daily summary statistics to governing bodies and other policymakers. Conclusions Rapidly developed, agile extendable LIS functionality and its meaningful use alleviates the administrative burden on laboratory personnel and improves turnaround time of SARS-CoV-2 testing. It will be important to maintain an environment that is conducive for the rapid adoption of meaningful LIS tools after the COVID-19 crisis.