Expansion of simulation software to enable use of additional data and functions
Project duration: 1 year, 3 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. The enhancement includes the use of additional input information, and the revision of existing functions and use of new functions. The adaptations provide the basis for creating reference scenarios for laboratories with different characteristics.
Supplement
The additionally used data is based on communication between the simulation software and the LIS. This includes the most important demographic information about the patient and the order. This data can be used to address additional functions in the LIS (laboratory information system). During implementation of the functions, the structure of the simulation software is revised in order to increase its stability, expandability and maintainability. Additional functions provided in the simulation software enable a clearer overview of processes within sample distribution in the LIS.
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.