- Interfacing is the process in which any laboratory instrument/analyzer would be inter-connected to a Laboratory Information Management Software (LIMS) or Hospital Management Software (HMS).
- The purpose of inter-connection (known as interfacing) is to automate the process of data exchange (viz. test orders & results) between the instrument & LIMS/HMS.
- On implementing interfacing, analytical patients data from instruments (results of tests/parameters performed on instruments) would automatically be transferred to PC (known as the host PC) for reporting purpose. Similarly the orders to be given to the instruments for performing specific tests for each patient would automatically be transferred from the host PC to the instrument.
- A one-way communication – transfer of results from the instrument to the host PC, is generally known as ‘uni-directional interfacing’. Whereas a two-way communication – transfer of results from the instrument to the host PC AND transfer of test orders from the host PC to the instrument is known as ‘bi-directional interfacing’.
- Fully automated instruments/analyzers support bi-directional interfacing with the help of bar-coded patient sample (blood, urine, etc.) tubes/containers.
- Instrument interfacing is inevitable for laboratories for achieving quality & accuracy by reducing human errors. Interfacing is also a recommended guideline for local & international accreditations & certifications like CAP/GLP/etc.
- To achieve interfacing (data transfer between an instrument & host PC) you mainly require:
- a connection between the instrument & host PC (via RS232, TPC/IP, etc. protocol) and
- an interfacing software that would run on the host PC which would operate & interact with the instrument to achieve the data transfer between the two (instrument & the host PC).
- As interfacing is a ‘communication’ process between two different devices (viz. instrument & host PC), there has to be a communication protocol by which the two devices can interact for successful communication. As each instrument/analyzer is unique - different from another by its make, model, functionality, etc., each instrument has its own unique & proprietary LIS/host interfacing protocol provided by the manufacturer/supplier of the instrument as a separate technical document.
- Due to each instrument & its interfacing protocol being unique; separate & unique interfacing software application needs to be developed & implemented for each instrument/analyzer.
- The final output of interfacing, can be either in the form of printed reports or integration of results data into the client’s HMS/LIMS reporting software/database. This varies from client to client and would need to be evaluated before implementing the interfacing.
- Charly Computers provides dedicated products & has expertise to provide a solution for instrument/analyzer interfacing to direct end-users or to HMS/LIMS developers, instrument suppliers, etc.
Contact
+91 (079) - 4009 2445
Back to Top
