LIS. Ideally, it should be possible to recall the status of a
sample like the status of a parcel from a parcel service.
It has to be kept in mind that in the near future we
will have an increasing amount of data (cf. big data) especially
from the ‘Omic’-sciences (metabolomics, pharmacogenomics…),
individualized medicine, gene sequencing
and microarray testing. There will be newer techniques,
such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman
spectroscopy as well as matrix-assisted laser desorption/
ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) spectroscopy. A
new generation of measurement systems is expected to
become part of routine diagnostic procedures including
nano diagnostic systems [quantum dots (QDs), gold nanoparticles,
cantilevers] [2]. According to the demographic
trend in some countries the number of tests will increase.
The increasing number of analytes (e.g., in drug monitoring)
and type of sample (e.g., saliva diagnostics) also
expand the amount of data to be processed.
Problems in the sample receiving and sample distribution
can arise due to the increasing number of analytes
and measurement systems. Additionally, data reporting
should be restructured according to new techniques and
measurement values produced by, e.g., microarray testing
or gene sequencing. The additional data must be presented
in an adequate manner to the client. Furthermore,
a better harmonization between different laboratories is
necessary [3]. Figure 1 gives an overview and illustrates
how a single laboratory should be organized by a contemporary
LIS. Furthermore, it also shows how different laboratories
should work together. The compatibility between
the computer systems saves time and is beneficial for the
patients [4]. Moreover, modern LIS should be prepared
for future disciplines like telemedicine, telepathology,
personal health monitoring (PHM) and electronic health
records [5–8].
Some questions arise such as: Can the contemporary
LIS manage the new tasks? Is it sufficient to add parts to
the contemporary LIS or should the LIS be completely
restructured?