The use of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) as a lean management tool in analytical laboratories

Abstract

The principles of Lean Management, once limited to the manufacturing sector, are being increasingly studied and applied in the services sector and more specifically in the field of commercial analytical laboratories. Large analytical laboratories benefit from the application of Lean Management, as this gives them a toolset for streamlining production and eliminating waste for the benefit of the client and their surrounding enterprise. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) are information systems aimed at minimising the administration load of the laboratory and automating the demanding and prone-to-error tasks of sample and data management within the laboratory. This dissertation examines the use of LIMS as a tool for Lean Management in the analytical laboratory, by studying two cases of different size, commitment to Lean Management and stage of implementation of LIMS. It is indicated that LIMS is a very basic tool in applying Lean Management practices within the analytical laboratory and contributes invaluably to the workflow management of analytical production.