Five Ways Toxicology Laboratories Can Leverage Analytics in a LIMS 

As reimbursements tighten and costs increase, toxicology laboratories face a difficult choice: finding ways to cut costs or exploring new testing areas. Toxicology laboratories have expanded their scope from general toxicology testing to include specialised areas such as pharmacogenomics (PGX) testing. Given the relatively recent introduction of PGX testing, it is associated with higher reimbursement rates. This specialisation not only enhances the financial aspect but also enables laboratories to distinguish themselves from standard toxicology facilities. Increasingly, many are opting to do both, striving to operate with maximum efficiency while maintaining the flexibility to diversify their services.  

In toxicology labs, effective data integration and resource optimisation are crucial for operational efficiency and accuracy. Without a LIMS with built-in analytics, labs often face challenges in consolidating data from various sources, leading to data silos and fragmented information. This hinders comprehensive analysis and the ability to derive meaningful insights. Additionally, manual processes make it difficult to optimise resources such as staff, equipment, and inventory. A LIMS with analytics can automate data integration, ensuring seamless data flow and accessibility. It also enables better resource management by providing real-time insights into resource utilisation, helping labs to allocate their resources more effectively, reduce operational costs, and improve overall productivity.  

Here are five ways toxicology laboratories can use LIMS analytics to streamline operations, enhance client satisfaction and drive growth.  

1. Historical Result Tracking

Access to a patient’s complete testing history alongside current results is essential, especially for laboratories conducting testing for pain clinics and treatment centres. Physicians rely on historical data to confirm patients adhere to prescribed treatments and to identify any other substances not part of their treatment plan. A LIMS can help track historical and current results, providing an in-depth view of patient data to both lab staff and clinicians. 

2. Turnaround Time Optimisation 

Optimising turnaround times is critical, as faster results and the informed decisions they enable can be lifesaving. According to the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of today’s medical decisions rely on laboratory testing results1. Despite this crucial role, some organizations struggle to address the operational hurdles that slow the testing process.  A LIMS can generate insights into turnaround times, allowing labs to monitor throughput closely, identify bottlenecks, and adjust staffing levels according to testing volumes. These adjustments help to ensure testing stays on schedule, enhancing efficiency and reducing delays.  

3. Test and Medication Usage Statistics 

Analytics can reveal insights into test usage patterns. If a particular test is no longer being utilised, it may not be cost-effective to maintain the necessary reagents for that test. In cases where the test is only conducted once or twice a month, it may be more efficient to send these tests to a reference laboratory. Reagents have a limited shelf life and may expire if not used, leading to unnecessary waste. Conversely, tracking frequently prescribed medications can identify new testing needs. Considering that half of all Americans2 take at least one prescription drug, with more than 40 percent3 of older Americans managing 5 or more prescription drugs, analysing medication trends help laboratories respond to market demands by expanding or refining their offerings.  

4. Positivity Rates

For toxicology labs, understanding positivity rates among specific client bases can be invaluable. Laboratories can track if there are a common set of drugs that are coming up as positive for their clinics, giving their clients a clearer picture of trends and risks within their population.  

Additionally, laboratories accredited with SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) are required to report counts of negative, presumptive positive and confirmed positive results. A LIMS can streamline this process, helping to reduce manual data entry errors, time-consuming paperwork and an elevated risk of non-compliance. Implementing a LIMS not only allows users to efficiently centralise and manage data but also enhances the overall reporting process.  

5. Chain of Custody Tracking

For certain types of toxicology testing, particularly those that could be used in criminal proceedings, it is important to track the chain of custody of samples received. For high volume laboratories processing tens of thousands of samples daily, it is critical to track each step a sample takes from collection through processing. The LIMS can accurately document the custody trail, meeting regulatory standards and enhancing accountability.  

The Reporting and Configurability You Need for Growth 

Operational analytics from a LIMS like the Clinisys™ Toxicology Laboratory guide laboratories toward peak efficiency, while also ensuring flexibility. The reporting capabilities of a LIMS can vary significantly, and configurable reports are essential for laboratories to meet diverse client needs.  

 A laboratory’s reputation rises or falls on the level of reporting it provides to its clients. Yet not all LIMS can provide the robust reporting capabilities required. The Clinisys™ Toxicology Laboratory LIMS solution offers the configurability needed to manage businesses effectively while also meeting customer demand. With customisable ad hoc queries, configurable widgets, and extensive report generation capabilities, laboratories can access and tailor their data to meet diverse and evolving needs. 

Clinisys™ Toxicology Laboratory also supports horizontal scaling, making it easy for laboratories to add new testing lines or adjust configurations without complex coding or manual interventions. This flexibility ensures that as laboratories expand, their LIMS evolves with them, supporting growth with configurable queries to fit the lab’s needs.   

If you have ambitious growth plans but are uncertain about whether your LIMS can grow with you, let’s have a conversation.