Expansion of simulation software for providing additional data for analysis
Project duration: 5 months
Brief description
Further development of software for simulating a medical/diagnostic laboratory with high throughput. Simulation makes it possible to test a virtual laboratory setup under different conditions and to determine its performance before the setup is installed in a real laboratory setting. The laboratory information system (LIS) addressed by the simulation functions as middleware here and manages the flow of data between the connected laboratory equipment and the final evaluation of results. Simulation software is used to create virtual samples and patients and process these with the LIS, with continuous communication between the simulation software and the LIS. This makes it possible to use the simulation software for evaluating performance measurands of the LIS and using them for setting up new laboratory scenarios or analyzing existing ones. The expansion involves providing additional data for analyzing performance and sequences.
Supplement
The additionally provided data is based on communication between the simulation software and the LIS. This includes the most important organizational reference values and data on the time sequence of communication. By means of this data, it is possible to analyze the performance and/or existing communication errors. In the course of implementing the functions, a revision of the communication structures of the simulation software is carried out. The data obtained is written into a database. Configuration possibilities provided additionally in the simulation software make it possible to check the accuracy of the sequences within the sample distribution of the LIS. This is achieved by specifying optimum moves for sample templates.
Subject description
The aim of the project is to create software that provides a test environment in which the IT infrastructure of a medical diagnostic high-throughput laboratory is simulated and communication with laboratory equipment can be tested with an LIS. The focus of the simulation software here is on critical functions in the flow of information between the equipment and the LIS, as well as on processing laboratory samples and patient data. The software logs a variety of KPIs during the simulations, which enables an analysis of the laboratory system's performance after the simulations. The purpose of this is to test and optimize the IT infrastructure of existing laboratories. The customer's own laboratory information systems and the connected laboratory equipment are virtually mapped in detail and processed by the simulation software. Laboratories that are in the planning phase can be tested at an early stage to detect and resolve potential problems.