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LIMS and ELN: 1 + 1 = 3

Increasing value through high-level real-time interaction

Steve Bolton

Figure 1: An ELN has a full understanding of the test and the test procedure, providing real time control and automation over testing procedures.

There is considerable debate and even some confusion in the marketplace as to the importance of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) within the laboratory informatics infrastructure. Which is more important? Do laboratories need both? Is ELN the new LIMS?

The simple answer is that they play very different, but equally important, roles in the generation and management of laboratory data. Integrating these two applications so that they leverage their individual strengths creates synergy, a situation where the final outcome of a system is greater than the sum of its parts,¹ which perfectly describes the benefit of creating interaction between LIMS and ELN — they become stronger and more valuable when they work together.

In this article, I will identify the different roles that LIMS and an ELN play in the workflow of an analytical laboratory. I will then take a look at the possibilities for interaction, as well as the benefits these interactions deliver.

Role of LIMS
LIMS is focused on the sample — managing, storing and reporting all of the information surrounding a sample from the time it enters the lab until the last result is reported. LIMS functionality includes logging in sample information, scheduling tests, storing tests and recording results from related laboratory activities, such as instrument calibration and chemical inventory.

click to enlarge Figure 2: An ELN worksheet can connect with LIMS to check instrument calibrations, expiry dates on chemicals, and more.

By itself, a LIMS is an effective solution for recording and managing sample information and test data. LIMS gets involved at the beginning of the analytical process when samples are logged and tests are scheduled. It then comes back into play when the tests are completed, collecting, storing and reporting results.

LIMS is not directly connected with the actual test execution, particularly in the case of routine tests that are executed using paper-based documents and procedures. Since LIMS is not involved in the actual analysis of the samples, it is not in a position to manage or control day-to-day analyses in real time. A LIMS can:
• check results against specifications and identify out-of-specification (OOS ) results, but only after the tests have been completed and results have been reported.
• monitor instrument calibration, and even flag instruments that need to be calibrated, but not prevent the technician from using an un-calibrated instrument at the time of analysis.
• be used to manage inventory (standards, solutions, reagents), but not link inventory information to the test as it is being carried out.
As we can see, LIMS may contain valuable information that is directly related to an analysis. However, by itself, it is not in a position to deliver that information to the analyst at the bench level as the analyses are being carried out.

Role of ELN
In contrast, an ELN operates at the bench level, right at the point of analysis, where it has a full understanding of the test and the test procedure (Figure 1). The focus is on the test, rather than on the sample. This allows the ELN to provide real-time control and automation over testing procedures.
• Controls can be built into the ELN to ensure procedural execution, making sure that the analyst follows every step of the standard operating procedure exactly.
• Data from laboratory instruments can be collected directly into the ELN, guaranteeing that the result the instrument generates is the result that gets recorded.
• Automated calculations can be built into the worksheet, ensuring consistency and accuracy every time.

However, with the focus on the testing procedure, an ELN has no inherent knowledge of the samples or the conditions surrounding the test. This information has to come from somewhere else. In most laboratories, the sample information (sample ID, test specifications, due date, assigned by, client name) and other information that is important to the analytical process, such as chemical inventory or calibration information, will be stored in a LIMS.

Working together
We have seen that LIMS provides overall management of the sample and sample information throughout its life cycle in the lab, but it does not have any connection to or control over what is happening during the execution of analyses. On the other hand, an ELN focuses all of its attention on the point of analysis, what is happening in real time as the sample is being analyzed, but an ELN does not know anything about the sample itself or other factors and conditions in the laboratory that could affect the test.

Traditionally, we have looked to the analyst to bridge the gap between these two systems by manually transferring information back and forth. However, there is a real opportunity to automate the sharing of information between these two systems and to forge an integrated working relationship that adds value to both (Figure 2).

Real-time, automated transfer of information back and forth between LIMS and an ELN can be used to control procedural execution, confirm SOP requirements and ensure that information in both applications is accurate, complete and kept up-to-date in real time. For example:
• Sample and test information already in a LIMS can automatically be added to electronic worksheets in the electronic laboratory notebook, delivering it directly to the lab bench at the time of analysis.
• An ELN can check calibration records in a LIMS to confirm that instruments used in the test have been properly calibrated.
• An ELN can query a LIMS to automatically check expiry dates on chemicals and solutions as they are being used.
• Chemical inventory in LIMS can be automatically adjusted as chemicals and solutions are used or prepared as part of procedures that are being controlled by the ELN.
• Test limits stored in a LIMS can be used by an ELN to provide real-time limit checking for OOS results.
• At the conclusion of the test, sample results can be automatically transferred from the ELN to the LIMS so they are immediately accessible.
• An ELN can be used to automate and control procedural execution, ensuring the quality of generated data.
• Automating the transfer of test results from ELN to LIMS speeds up delivery to clients and decision makers.

More value for the lab 
I started off with questions about the comparative value of LIMS and ELN. Is one system more important than the other? Do laboratories need both? Is ELN the new LIMS?

We have seen that each of these applications addresses a different aspect of laboratory information management. They can be seen as equal and valuable components in a complete laboratory informatics infrastructure. However, we also have seen that the value of each system can be increased by creating a high level of interaction between the two.

Creating real-time communication between the ELN and LIMS helps to reduce analysts’ workload, as they do not have to spend their time manually looking for and transferring information between the two systems. This eliminates errors that can be generated by manual processes and speeds up execution of the tests.

We also have seen how information in each system can be used to automate procedural control, ensure compliance with standard operating procedure (SOP) requirements and keep information in both systems up-to-date and accurate, in real time. Blending these two separate systems together into an integrated system is a natural fit that increases the value of each component and delivers added value to the laboratory informatics infrastructure.

Reference
1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/synergy

Steve Bolton is a marketing specialist at Labtronics. He may be reached at editor@ScientificComputing.com.