Introduction
The information produced by diagnostic laboratories has a great impact on healthcare systems in the form of diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This data has many other secondary uses in research and formulation of policy. To this effect, it is in the best interest of laboratory personnel that the data they avail is accurate and released to clients expeditiously. Recent advances in data management have seen the increased use of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in the laboratory setting. LIMS allows the laboratory to coordinate the flow of data right from the receipt of samples to the release of results seamlessly.
The decision to acquire a LIMS system is a consultative process that must be carefully evaluated by laboratory management and stakeholders. The process should include establishing criteria and specifications that support the strategic goals of the laboratory and therefore what the acquisition seeks to achieve must be very clear. The purchase will not only affect activities within the laboratory but also compliance with regulatory requirements and the needs of customers or clients.
Although LIMS has been piloted in selected facilities in Liberia including the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), most information management in the laboratories is the traditional paper-based system. One of the objectives for the National Laboratory Strategic Plan (NLSP) (2019 – 2024) is to establish an effective, integrated LIMS for the management, analysis, and reporting of laboratory specimens, processes, and data1. To realize this objective, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) are making concerted efforts to improve and expand the current electronic system in addition to strengthening the widely used traditional paper-based system.
The Main Challenges with the LIMS Piloted at NPHRL
The LIMS that was piloted at NPHRL for 6 months in 2018 is currently nonfunctional due to several issues mainly pertaining to sustainability. The challenges included:
• A service contract for the LIMS was not available. Therefore, in the event of equipment breakdown there was no authorization to service equipment.
• A license was not provided for the equipment. This compromised the ability to upgrade the system whenever there were changes in reagents.
• A training manual for users was compiled but training was not done due to lack of funds to support training.
• Stability of electricity was an issue such that accessing the server became challenging.
• Limitation of access points, leading to low or limited network coverage.
• Although roles and responsibilities for data entry and verification were defined at the laboratory level, overall responsibility for maintenance, service and sustainability of operations and equipment were not defined.
• At the sample reception area, the barcode machine ran out of paper and restocking was not done.
• In Serology, the configuration of measles test results using the stipulated indicators became a challenge especially when the reagents being used for the test were changed from Sigma to Europe Immune.
