BUSINESS CHALLENGES

With an outdated legacy Laboratory Information System (LIS) and a rapidly expanding test menu and service portfolio, LPL was having challenges managing data and streamlining laboratory operations. The archaic LIS forced LPL to heavily rely on manual operations at every stage, and the sheer volume and fast-growing throughput of tests caused daily performance issues and slowdowns.

“The legacy LIS could have become a real roadblock on our growth path, and with expansion in our sights, we were also looking for a LIMS that would be compatible with the latest generation of instruments and other technological developments. The STARLIMS platform has been a key enabler and integral facet of Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd’s growth journey since the day of its implementation.”

Dr Om P Manchanda, Managing Director, Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd

The company was looking to overhaul its laboratory informatics system and deploy a new solution that would support coordinated management of laboratory operations across every LPL site. It was also wanted a platform that would enable complete workflow automation, reporting, and data handling, with integration capabilities into analytical instrumentation, hardware, and software.

More importantly, LPL was looking for a laboratory informatics system that would not only satisfy its immediate demands, but also support its growth and expansion goals of the future. For that, it needed a flexible solution that could easily scale to meet business needs, as well as integrate with existing and emerging technologies in fields such as genomics, bioinformatics, and proteomics.

“STARLIMS solution has delivered great results and is consistently serving the lab operations ever since the day of inception. Looking to the future as well on a positive note because the technology paradigm is changing so rapidly in healthcare and it is expected that STARLIMS keeps aligned with the same.”                                                               

Bharath U, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd

THE RESULTS

The STARLIMS solution’s ability to integrate with many diverse instrument types – including interfacing with upwards of 1,000 instruments across hundreds of sites – has given clinicians better access to all of their patient’s results from different tests on each of the samples. Automated sample management, test scheduling, test results, and report generation have delivered faster, clearer, and more insightful diagnoses for nearly 100,000 patients per day.   

Efficient management of the typical sample lifecycle, from sample collection through to results reporting, requires coordinated informatics capabilities that can schedule, assign, automate, and record each step in the workflow. STARLIMS’ algorithms have optimized LPL’s processes efficiency and accurately at each stage, streamlining traditionally manual functions across the board.

The automation and integration capabilities of the STARLIMS solution means that LPL no longer has to rely on manual data handling and transfer, which has dramatically improved turnaround time, minimized the risk of data loss and errors, and streamlined operations across its entire infrastructure. Workflow automation and hands-off data management have also resulted in greater confidence in data integrity and security, with full workflow transparency and an end-to-end audit trail. 

LPL now has a much lower risk of unexpected instrument stoppages and a comprehensive oversight of its laboratories’ functionalities through STARLIMS’ managed instrument maintenance and validation. Additionally, tracked authorization and access controls for each laboratory has helped the company to maintain leaner, more efficient laboratory operations.

The different departments in each LPL laboratory have a responsibility for their own specific menus and workflows. The STARLIMS solution supports these various laboratory departments by coordinating every test workflow, integrating with new and emerging technologies, and testing modalities as part of the laboratory infrastructure.

“We thank the STARLIMS team, especially the R&D wing and our APAC account management team for the wonderful job in helping us get the STARLIMS solution implemented with the entire list of user requirements, 3rd party integrations and the features embedded. Everyone was professional, excellent, committed, and hard working. Thanks to them, we were able to achieve our goal on time and we look forward to continuing working with them in the future.”

Munender Soperna, Chief Information Officer, Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd

FUTURE PARTNERSHIP

A decade on from the initial implementation, STARLIMS and LPL continue to work together to unlock the full capabilities of STARLIMS solution. As LPL continues to grow, expand, and diversify, STARLIMS has been able to scale seamlessly to match the company’s initiatives. Today, LPL has confidence that they can perform substantially all of the diagnostic healthcare tests and services currently prescribed by physicians in India.

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Read the full case study: Dr Lal partners with STARLIMS to support its future expansion

Contact STARLIMS Experts: SalesIndia@starlims.com