Laboratory Management Research Articles

Enhancing Laboratory Sample Collection Efficiency through Laboratory Information Systems: Insights into Optimal Despatch Rider Management

Effective administration of dispatch riders is crucial for delivering reliable diagnoses and research results by enabling prompt and precise sample collection. Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) offers a solution to enhance the efficiency and organization of dispatch riders in laboratory settings. Thus, the main objective of this study is to provide insights and knowledge on the potential benefits of implementing LIS to optimize the management of dispatch riders and enhance the efficiency of sample collection. An analysis of previous research findings illustrates the varied benefits of using LIS in improving key performance indicators such as turnaround time, mistake rates, and coordination of dispatch riders. The LIS platform serves as a centralized system for managing and allocating sample collection jobs, minimizing scheduling conflicts, and optimizing dispatch rider routes. Real-time tracking capabilities enable laboratory management to monitor dispatch rider locations and sample collection progress, facilitating enhanced coordination and resource allocation. Furthermore, LIS-generated data analytics provide valuable insights into sample collection patterns, enabling proactive management strategies to mitigate potential bottlenecks. Integration of LIS into payroll systems allows for automated compensation calculation based on dispatch rider performance metrics, ensuring fair and transparent pay rates. Studies consistently demonstrate that adequate compensation positively impacts dispatch rider motivation and sample collection effectiveness. This study highlights the vital importance of LIS in enhancing dispatch rider administration for efficient sample collection operations. It provides insights for laboratory managers and policymakers to optimize the potential of LIS to improve operational performance, facilitate patient care, and advance research outcomes.

Esophageal Function Testing Patterns in the Evaluation and Management of Lung Transplantation: Results of a National Survey.

We surveyed esophageal motility laboratories affiliated with adult pulmonary transplant centers to determine esophageal function testing (EFT) practices. Gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal dysmotility are associated with worse lung transplant outcomes, yet no consensus guidelines for EFT exist in this population. A deidentified online survey was sent to gastrointestinal motility laboratory directors of 49 academic and community-affiliated medical centers that perform lung transplants. Practice characteristics, including annual lung transplant volume and institutional EFT practices pre-lung transplantation and post-lung transplantation were queried. Respondents were categorized by transplant volume into small and large programs based on median annual volume. Among 35 respondents (71% response rate), the median annual transplant volume was 37, and there were 18 large programs. Institutional EFT protocols were used pretransplant by 24 programs (68.6%) and post-transplant by 12 programs (34.2%). Among small and large programs, 52.9% and 72.2% always obtained high-resolution manometry before transplant, respectively. Endoscopy before transplant was performed more often in small programs (n=17, 100%) compared with large programs (n=15,83.3%). Pretransplant endoscopy ( P =0.04), barium esophagram ( P <0.01), and high-resolution manometry ( P =0.04) were more common than post-transplant. In contrast, post-transplant reflux monitoring off-therapy was more common than pretransplant ( P =0.01). In general, pulmonologists direct referrals for EFT and gastroenterology consultation (n=28, 80.0%), with symptoms primarily prompting testing. In the absence of established guidelines, substantial variability exists in pretransplant and post-transplant EFT, directed by pulmonologists. Standardized EFT protocols and gastroenterologist-directed management of esophageal dysfunction has potential to improve lung transplant outcomes.

Exploring prescriptive and agile management of university-based living labs

ABSTRACT University-based living labs serve as open innovation platforms that foster collaborative research and experimentation across various disciplines. These labs bring together academics, citizens, community organisations, companies, and other entities to collectively address complex contemporary issues. The labs’ managers are expected to adopt flexible, agile management approaches to support the openness of their lab to stakeholders. Flexible management approaches create various challenges, as the labs are often expected also to comply with traditional project management principles of deadlines, project deliverables, budget restrictions, and quality conditions as set by their project sponsors and host organisation. The combination of prescriptive and agile project management approaches in such open innovation settings has been relatively underexplored in higher education research. Drawing on the theoretical literature on boundary work and project management, we analyse how the managers of a Dutch university-based living lab execute flexible project management styles in a setting that is dominated by prescriptive project management traditions. Based on information from 20 interviews and document analysis we identify five areas of tension between agile and prescriptive project management. Living lab managers, supported by researchers, buffer these tensions through boundary work that shapes the openness of the projects in rather unexpected ways.

Defining our worth.

A recent article by Rodino et al. published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (K. G. Rodino, P. M. Luethy, A. N. Abbott, J. M. Bender, A. R. Eberly, M. Gitman, A. Leber, and J. Dien Bard, J Clin Microbiol 62:e00359-24, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00359-24) hones in on clinical consultation as a way for clinical microbiology laboratory directors (CMLDs) to provide evidence of our worth. They relate that, unlike our physician colleagues, we are unable to generate billing for clinical consultations, relative value units, or other metrics that could assist to describe our import. Their study evaluated consultations performed by CMLDs as a way to underscore our importance as a key member of the healthcare team.

Determination of Aloin A, Aloin B, and Aloe-Emodin in Raw Materials and Finished Products Using HPLC Multi-Laboratory Validation Study, AOAC 2016.09, Final Action Status.

A multi-laboratory validation study was performed on AOAC Official Method of Analysis (OMA) 2016.09, for final action. Eight different laboratories throughout the world participated in the study tested the same set of 6 different laboratory samples of raw materials (commercial) and formulated products (commercial), and all the laboratories successfully generated results within the acceptance criteria. The intention of the study was to evaluate specificity, precision (variation), linearity/range, system suitability, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ) by multiple laboratories to satisfy the requirement of moving the OMA 2016.09 to the final action status. Accuracy and ruggedness were already validated in earlier work of single laboratory validation (1), and it was not necessary to include these validation parameters in the multi-laboratory validation study. Laboratory samples containing Aloe were sent out to participating laboratories. Each lab followed AOAC 2016.09 (First Action status) to analyze contents of aloin A, aloin B, and aloe emodin using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument. The results generated by each laboratory were collected and evaluated. The specificity results show that blank and matrix chromatograms do not contain major interfering peaks on the retention time of aloin A, aloin B, and aloe-emodin. The precision (variation) results of duplicated preparations are not more than 0.05 parts per million (ppm) different. The linearity/range results from six standards (10 parts per billion (ppb), 20 ppb, 40 ppb, 80 ppb, 160 ppb, and 500 ppb) have correlation coefficient (R) value of ≥ 0.999. The system suitability results meet the acceptance criteria to show the instrument validity. The limit of detection (LOD) results show that the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 10 ppb standards for all three components are about 3. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) results show that the S/N ratio of 20 ppb standards for all three components are about 10. The validation parameters (specificity, precision (variation), linearity/range, system suitability, LOD, and LOQ) have been successfully analyzed, and it shows that the test method is suitable for its intended use. The test method has been successfully validated by the eight different laboratories around the world (US, UK, Germany, and Canada). Each of the laboratory is managed independently by the site lab management team. This multi-lab study validated the method of Determination of Aloin A, Aloin B, and Aloe-Emodin in Raw Materials and Finished Products Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the method fits for its intended purpose.

The Protest that Never Was: Silencing Political Activism at CERN Before and During the Vietnam War

AbstractThis article focuses on the history of CERN from the perspective of its staff’s political initiatives. Notwithstanding the extensive coverage that the international physics laboratory has received, historians have yet to document these campaigns in full. What follows explains this omission by focusing on provisions that muzzled the activists’ initiatives. Since 1955, staff rules and regulations elaborated by CERN managers aimed at curbing efforts to promote political campaigning in the laboratory. Designed to safeguard its special legal status as an international organization in Switzerland devoted to scientific collaborations, these provisions strengthened its public image as a “sanctuary” for pure physics. With the war in Vietnam in full swing, however, it became more difficult to bottle in political initiatives, especially as CERN staff contributed to anti-war protests and supported local solidarity groups. At this critical junction, the laboratory managers muffled campaigns targeting Nobel-prize winning physicist Murray Gell-Mann, and made it seem as if a petition against the US military strikes in Vietnam signed by its staff was never put together.

Penerapan Aplikasi Manajemen Laboratorium Dinas Lingkungan Hidup Kota Palembang

Waste samples that is managed properly will generate added value and provide benefits for environmental management. The purpose of this study is to design a web-based waste water sample data management information system so that it can make it easier for waste laboratory staff and the public as customers and admins to manage and access waste water sample data and transactions. The method used in data collection is the DevOps method and it is also not important as a researcher to interview officials from the Palembang city environmental service regarding the laboratory management application program.. In making the website, the author uses the PHP and MySQL programming languages with the DevOps development method, object-based software modeling using UML and designing the system interface to show system functions. Database design is made to show the relationship between entities and data contained in the system. Users who will use the waste laboratory management application information system are employees of the environmental service laboratory unit as admin and the public. The results of this study indicate that the website design that was built can make it easier for the admin to manage waste water sample data, it can be stored in a database and can be accessed at any time. Apart from that, for residents,, this system has the benefit of accelerating the process of collecting waste in their environment, this system has the benefit of speeding up the process of collecting waste water sample data.

Design and Development of an Intelligent Laboratory Management System Based on STM Processors

Abstract In response to the escalating inventory of laboratory equipment, the inadequacy of traditional manual management practices has become increasingly apparent. Current management challenges are underscored by historical data, which reveals a borrowing rate of approximately 30%, a concerning return rate of only about 5%, and an equipment loss rate of 10%. To address these inefficiencies, this paper introduces an advanced, intelligent laboratory equipment management system leveraging STM32 and GM65 technologies, designed to significantly enhance the return rate and minimize equipment loss. The system is meticulously engineered, featuring three integral modules: the scanning module, the core board module, and the communication module. The scanning module employs GM65 technology to rapidly scan and decode QR codes, facilitating the swift transmission of critical data to the core board for intelligent processing and interaction with the laboratory equipment. At the heart of the system, the core board module serves as the central processing unit, adeptly managing data from the scanning module. It intelligently discerns various information types and dynamically updates the TFT-LCD screen with the current status of equipment, ensuring that all users have access to real-time and accurate information regarding the borrowing and returning of equipment. The communication module is pivotal in bolstering the system's connectivity capabilities. Designed with a robust structure, the system is characterized by its simplicity of operation and robust practicality. It not only significantly improves the efficiency of laboratory equipment management but also plays a transformative role in modernizing laboratory management practices. By streamlining the management process and ensuring the optimal utilization of resources, this system provides a solid foundation for the sustainable advancement of laboratory operations.

Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Chronic Hypertension: A Retrospective Study of 50 Cases.

Background Chronic hypertension (CHTN) has been associated with significant maternal and neonatal complications. The goal of this research study is to assess outcomes and management strategies among pregnant women living with CHTN. Methods From December 2019 to December 2020, 50 pregnant women diagnosed with CHTN before or at 20 weeks gestation at Cure International Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan, underwent retrospective analysis using data obtained from patient records, such as demographic details, clinical history notes, laboratory test findings, imaging results, management protocols, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results Of the 50 patients, 17 (34%) developed superimposed preeclampsia. Maternal complications included superimposed preeclampsia in 17 (34%), placental abruption in 14 (28%), gestational diabetes in 15 (30%), and acute kidney injury in one (2%). Neonatal complications included preterm birth (12; 24%), low birth weight (12; 24%), small for gestational age (10; 20%), and perinatal mortality (5; 10%). Management strategies revealed that 38 (75%) patients received labetalol, while 12 (25%) were treated with methyldopa. Conclusions CHTN during gestation can result in significant maternal and neonatal complications, and adherence to management guidelines is critical to improve outcomes. More studies are necessary to develop optimal treatment protocols and preventive measures.

Pricing drinking water testing in northern Haiti: Financial sensitivity to operating costs, user demand, and economic conditions

Safe drinking water availability is a concern in Haiti. Public systems have limited coverage and reliability. Private wells and local water sources are often of unknown or poor quality. Public health events, such as the 2010 cholera outbreak, demonstrate vulnerability to water contamination. To address these concerns, a drinking water laboratory was established at the Campus Henri Christophe in Limonade, a branch of the State University of Haiti, to meet water testing demands from local clients such as for-profit kiosks, institutions, industries, and municipal water systems. This study assessed the financial viability of a university-based drinking water laboratory in Haiti by calculating Internal Rate of Return and Net Present Value. Sensitivity analysis was used to identify the range of conditions under which laboratory revenues would cover operating costs. To achieve an acceptable profitability level, the laboratory must perform microbiological testing for routine monitoring samples and test an average of five samples per day. Price-based incentives for new clients have relatively small impacts on profitability. Finally, international and Haitian inflation cause some variation in profitability. These economic factors will be among the key drivers of laboratory operation costs. The results underscore the main factors that must be considered to make the laboratory successful and the importance of strategic marketing for laboratory managers to encourage clients to regularly test drinking water and emphasize microbiological testing.

A Hybrid Framework for Maritime Surveillance: Detecting Illegal Activities through Vessel Behaviors and Expert Rules Fusion.

Maritime traffic is essential for global trade but faces significant challenges, including navigation safety, environmental protection, and the prevention of illicit activities. This work presents a framework for detecting illegal activities carried out by vessels, combining navigation behavior detection models with rules based on expert knowledge. Using synthetic and real datasets based on the Automatic Identification System (AIS), we structured our framework into five levels based on the Joint Directors of Laboratories (JDL) model, efficiently integrating data from multiple sources. Activities are classified into four categories: illegal fishing, suspicious activity, anomalous activity, and normal activity. To address the issue of a lack of labels and integrate data-driven detection with expert knowledge, we employed a stack ensemble model along with active learning. The results showed that the framework was highly effective, achieving 99% accuracy in detecting illegal fishing and 92% in detecting suspicious activities. Furthermore, it drastically reduced the need for manual checks by specialists, transforming experts' tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge through the models and allowing continuous updates of maritime domain rules. This work significantly contributes to maritime surveillance, offering a scalable and efficient solution for detecting illegal activities in the maritime domain.

Effective Laboratory Management: Efforts to Improve Science Education Management in Islamic Boarding Schools

Effective laboratory management can be applied as an effort to improve science education management in secondary schools. This study aims to explore effective laboratory management as an effort to improve science education management at MA Citra Cendekia South Jakarta. The research method used was a descriptive qualitative method with a case study approach. Data were collected through direct observation, in-depth interviews with teachers and laboratory staff, and analysis of related documents. The results showed that effective laboratory management involves several important aspects, namely careful planning, procurement and maintenance of adequate laboratory equipment, and competency development of teachers and laboratory technicians. In addition, collaboration between science teachers and laboratory staff in designing and conducting experiments also contributes significantly to improving the quality of science learning. The implementation of good laboratory management at MA Citra Cendekia South Jakarta is proven to be able to increase student learning motivation, improve understanding of science concepts, and produce more interactive and contextualised learning. This study concludes that effective laboratory management is one of the key factors in improving the quality of science education in Islamic educational institutions.

Management and Treatment Outcomes of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is caused by maternal antibodies attacking fetal blood cell antigens. Despite routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis, intrauterine transfusions (IUTs) are still needed in some HDFN cases. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on newborns with HDFN born in the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Medical University of Warsaw. We analyzed 274 neonates with HDFN, identifying 46 who required IUT due to fetal anemia and 228 who did not. The laboratory results, management, and outcomes were compared between these groups. Results: Comparative analysis showed that newborns treated with IUT were more likely to have significant anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and iron overload, indicated by a high ferritin concentration. These neonates more often required top-up transfusions, phototherapy, intravenous immunoglobulin infusions, and exchange transfusions. The length of stay was longer for newborns who received IUT. Conclusions: HDFN requiring IUT is associated with a greater number of complications in the neonatal period and more often requires additional treatment compared to HDFN not requiring IUT.

Pancreas and pancreatitis: Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is highly prevalent among individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Individuals diagnosed with EPI are often labeled as having "pancreas insufficient cystic fibrosis (PI-CF)" while those with normal exocrine function are labeled as "pancreas sufficient CF (PS-CF)." This diagnosis of EPI relies on clinical and laboratory features and management involves consumption of pancreas enzyme replacement therapy. In this review, we discuss the nuances of diagnosis and management of EPI in CF. We also present emerging evidence on the effects of CFTR modulating agents on the management of EPI, and speculate that these medications may lead to greater heterogeneity in management of EPI in CF moving forward.

Approaches to determining the cost of laboratory tests

Background. Determining the cost of laboratory tests is a significant factor in the context of economic analysis and management of clinical diagnostic laboratories. Information about costs allows medical organizations to plan operational activities more efficiently, optimize resource utilization, and exercise control over expenditures. These measures are aimed at improving the financial position and enhancing the operational efficiency of the laboratories.Objective: to review various methods for calculating the cost of laboratory tests.Material and methods. The study included the collection and analysis of publications on calculating cost of laboratory tests, determining their prime cost in PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, as well as in Google and Yandex search engines for similar “cost laboratory test” query. The regulatory documents of the Russian Federation in this area were considered.Results. For calculating the prime cost of laboratory tests such methods as direct costing, regulatory prime costing, total prime costing, activity-based costing (ABC), standard costing, costing for base service, department costing, cost-volume analysis are used. The ABC and standard cost methods provide the most accurate assessment of the impact of various factors.Conclusion. The approaches established by regulatory documents do not contradict each other and represent the implementation of total costing method. At the same time, a medical organization may use other methods for calculating the cost of laboratory tests, depending on the objectives of the analysis, the specifics of the laboratory and the cost accounting method adopted in accounting policy, the management accounting system.

IVF laboratory management through workflow-based RFID tag witnessing and real-time information entry

BackgroundDual-person inspection in IVF laboratories cannot fully avoid mix-ups or embryo transfer errors, and data transcription or entry is time-consuming and redundant, often leading to delays in completing medical records.MethodsThis study introduced a workflow-based RFID tag witnessing and real-time information entry platform for addressing these challenges. To assess its potential in reducing mix-ups, we conducted a simulation experiment in semen preparation to analyze its error correction rate. Additionally, we evaluated its impact on work efficiency, specifically in operation and data entry. Furthermore, we compared the cycle costs between paper labels and RFID tags. Finally, we retrospectively analyzed clinical outcomes of 20,424 oocyte retrieval cycles and 15,785 frozen embryo transfer cycles, which were divided into paper label and RFID tag groups.ResultsThe study revealed that comparing to paper labels, RFID tag witnessing corrected 100% of tag errors, didn’t affect gamete/embryo operations, and notably shorten the time of entering data, but the cycle cost of RFID tags was significantly higher. However, no significant differences were observed in fertilization, embryo quality, blastocyst rates, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates between two groups.ConclusionsRFID tag witnessing doesn’t negatively impact gamete/embryo operation, embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes, but it potentially reduces the risk of mix-ups or errors. Despite highly increased cost, integrating RFID tag witnessing with real-time information entry can remarkably decrease the data entry time, substantially improving the work efficiency. This workflow-based management platform also enhances operational safety, ensures medical informational integrity, and boosts embryologist’s confidence.

ANALYSIS OF SERVICE QUALITY ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY MEDIATED BY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AT THE X CLINIC LABORATORY IN PEMATANG SIANTAR

The health industry in Indonesia faces a variety of complex and multidimensional challenges. In the face of fierce competition from hospitals that offer self-contained laboratory services and the development of infrastructure that facilitates access to more well-equipped healthcare facilities, it is important to understand how service quality affects customer satisfaction and loyalty. This study aims to explore the influence of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty at the X Clinical Laboratory in Pematang Siantar City, as well as to examine the role of customer satisfaction as a mediator. The results show that Service Quality has a significant positive influence on customer satisfaction (coefficient: 0.8825), indicating that an improvement in Service Quality will increase customer satisfaction. Based on these findings, the management of Clinical Laboratory X is advised to implement several strategies to improve service quality, customer satisfaction, and loyalty to remain the top choice.

Laboratory Management of Mammalian Hosts for Ixodes scapularis -Host-Pathogen Interaction Studies.

Due to their hematophagous life cycle, hard-bodied ticks including the genus Ixodes are a potential vector for numerous pathogenic organisms including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and infectious prions. The natural geographic range of several hard tick species, includig Ixodes scapularis, has expanded over recent decades. Consequently, there is an ongoing need to maintain, feed, and propagate ticks for host-pathogen interaction studies to better understand and mitigate their impact on human and animal health. Artificial membrane feeding of hard ticks has advanced in recent years, has study design advantages, and should be used, when possible, to reduce animal use, but it also has several limitations that require the continued use of mammalian hosts including mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits. In this overview, we discuss the best management practices for these relevant species with respect to biosafety, health, and optimal host comfort when used in studies that depend on tick feeding. The capsule-jacket method is preferred over the ear sock-E-collar method of tick feeding on rabbit hosts because of better host health, comfort, and increased study versatility.

Investigating the lipid profile of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes across developmental life stages

Holometabolous insects undergo a distinct transition in their development, tightly correlated with shifting feeding patterns from larval stages and some adult phases to non-feeding phases as pupae and during other adult phases. Furthermore, the intricate life cycle of mosquitoes involves a sequence of developmental stages influenced by aquatic and terrestrial factors, demanding precise energy resource orchestration. Lipids serve multifaceted roles, encompassing energy storage, membrane structure, and participation in signal transduction and molecular recognition processes. A significant gap in the current research landscape is the need for a comprehensive study exploring the lipid repertoire throughout the developmental stages of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes. We undertook an analysis of the An. stephensi metabolome across all life stages. We hypothesized that An. stephensi mosquitoes will have unique lipid metabolite markers for each life stage. A specific extraction and LC-MS based lipidomic approach was used to test this hypothesis. Our findings demonstrated that our methods were successful, with lipids comprising 62.15 % of the analyzed metabolome. Additionally, phospholipids (PL), lysophospholipids (LPL), sphingomyelin (SM), and triglycerides (TG) were abundant and dynamic across all life stages. Interestingly, comparison between the L1 and L2 lipidome revealed a dominant pattern of specific TGs in decreased abundance between these two life stages. Lastly, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), was found to be present in similar abundance across all 4 larval stages. These data indicate that there may be lipid metabolome pathways serving unique roles during mosquito development that may be used to explore laboratory management of colonies, parasite resistance, and environmental adaptation.

The Influence of Laboratory Management on the Productivity of Health Laboratory Installations at Bandung Kiwari Hospital

The Influence of Laboratory Management on the Productivity of Health Laboratory Installations at Bandung Kiwari Hospital