Paperless Microbiology Laboratory

In a further move towards paperless reporting, the LIMS holds all the pricing information for tests enabling invoices to be produced for online access or as downloadable PDFs. The LabSTAR/Matrix LIMS combination also provides other paperless functionality for customers. All of the Manuals, Standard Operating Procedures, Specifications, even price lists are held in a database and can be accessed through the LabSTAR interface.

Additional Benefits

Whilst the system established at Westward labs has significant benefits for customers and the busy analysis team alike, there are also additional benefits to the operation of the lab. Preparation of the media used for incubation is currently managed by the Kiestra system. The SolventA software contains the media recipes and also controls batch numbers and expiry dates for media stock. Another piece of software, RegistrA, records autoclave cycles, etc. The media usage is managed by Matrix LIMs and there is a screen that prominently displays the amount of media used and the stock level. The levels are calculated from the data about the number and types of required tests and the amount of plates already prepared. This acts as an early warning system for media shortages, but also ensures that an excessive amount is not made available.

More recently, a temperature monitoring system (IceSpy from IMC Group) was installed for the fridges, water baths, and incubators in the laboratory. It replaced the manual task of going around with a sheet of paper on a clipboard to record the various temperatures. It also, of course, obviates the need to open a fridge door to read the temperature.

This automated and paperless approach adopted by Westward brings other significant benefits, including cost savings—agar, paper, and reporting; reduced human errors; bespoke trend analysis, period reports, and decision support tools; efficient information dissemination; increased productivity and efficiency; and improved tracking and traceability.

Dr. Wilson, general manager at Westward Laboratories, has been an industrial microbiologist for 16 years and is a technical expert in laboratory management and food safety. She can be reached at +44 1579 386219. Boother is managing director at Autoscribe Ltd. and has had involvement in around 5000 LIMS projects. Reach him at [email protected].