4 Steps to Improve Your Laboratory's Traceability

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Traceability in a laboratory is a fundamental aspect to guarantee the quality and reliability of the results obtained. In this article, we'll explore four essential steps that can help improve traceability in your lab. From accurately identifying samples to implementing advanced tracking systems, each step plays a crucial role in strengthening traceability and thus your lab's operational excellence.  

In this article, we’ll explore four proven strategies to create a more accurate and efficient laboratory environment.

1. Computerize Your Records – Implement a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

To improve your lab's traceability, eliminate the record of analysis in outdated paper notebooks and calculations in calculators or Excel. The use of Confience myLIMS allows you to manage all the information on the life cycle of samples and analyses, managers, date and time of changes and electronic signature, centralizing the information, ensuring collaboration and traceability.

In addition, both internal and external audits can be facilitated and have greater credibility, due to the rapid access to information through search engines in the database.

The DAQ, in turn, performs data acquisition from the analysis equipment automatically, completely eliminating data transcription and transforming minutes into seconds.


Learn More: The Role of LIMS in Driving Digital Transformation

‍2. Integrate Your Lab Data

myLIMS offers exceptional integration flexibility, seamlessly connecting with ERP, MES, PIMS, WIMS, SCADA, and a wide range of other systems.

These integrations offer far more than just traceability—they empower both quality and industrial managers to make smarter, faster daily decisions. By streamlining sample requests, analyses, and the delivery of monitoring and inspection results, critical process and control information seamlessly reaches operators in real time.  

The result? Fewer administrative tasks, reduced operational errors, and greater efficiency across every stage of production.

Learn More: Optimizing Lab Operations: Integrating Laboratory Instruments And Calculations with LIMS

3. Traceability: Automate Sample Outsourcing

Through the migration of results, myLIMS makes it possible to transfer sample data through a file, which can be easily exported and imported in different environments, i.e. sent from one laboratory to another.

myLIMS not only speeds up and streamlines your workflow but also safeguards the integrity of outsourced results. By eliminating manual data transcription, it prevents errors and saves valuable time. Plus, all files are encrypted, ensuring secure data transfer and protecting sensitive information from leaks.

4. Make it Easy to Assess Trends

The use of dashboards in myLIMS allows the management of your laboratory with graphs, indicators and sending alerts by email, simplifying the visualization of deviations and speeding up the taking of corrective actions.

This set of benefits includes the reliability of the results, the reduction of costs and times in data transcription and also ensures customer satisfaction by receiving reliable results in the shortest possible time.

Conclusion

Improving traceability in your laboratory is essential for ensuring the reliability, reproducibility, and credibility of your results. Start by implementing a robust LIMS to streamline data capture and sample tracking throughout every stage of analysis. Establish standardized protocols for labeling, documentation, and chain-of-custody procedures to minimize errors and misidentification. Regular staff training on traceability best practices further reinforces compliance and accountability. Additionally, conducting periodic audits and maintaining comprehensive records enables swift identification and resolution of discrepancies, ultimately supporting regulatory requirements and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within your laboratory.

Let myLIMS be the change you need and start transforming your business today!