Information system issues facing clinical laboratories serving complex integrated delivery systems

Laboratory information systems (LISs) have evolved into complex applications to meet the specialized needs of laboratories. As integrated delivery systems (IDSs) continue to emerge as a dominant model for healthcare delivery, clinical laboratories serving them face two imperatives that affect IS decisions. First, laboratories in IDSs must consolidate to reduce costs and duplication yet deliver service across a region in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Second, laboratories that successfully perform reference laboratory testing will increase revenue, generate referrals, and leverage excess capacity, and may provide a competitive advantage for the IDS. This article examines laboratory information management in complex IDSs, presents options for IS support of consolidating or integrating laboratory operations, and reviews functionality requirements for laboratory outreach activities.