Integrating instruments and the laboratory information system.

Significant progress has been made over the last 30 years in the interfacing of automated analytical instruments with laboratory information systems (LIS). Much of the progress has resulted from technology advances in microelectronics, improvements in information systems, implementation of bar code recognition in instruments, and better communications between instrument vendors, LIS vendors, and users. Further improvements, however, should be possible through a more consistent user interface(s), better integration into the laboratory work-flow, and interfaces that allow the LIS to query instruments regarding their internal operating status. These improvements are needed to extract improvements in productivity that are expected from the laboratory.