Consider More than Price When Selecting a LIS
Rapid implementation and ongoing support contribute to success
When did Comp Pro Med start and what’s the product development history?
Comp Pro Med has been in business for over 40 years and we focus solely on the laboratory information system (LIS). This came out of a clinical lab that I comanaged for 11 years. When the IBM PC was first introduced to the world, we hired programmers coming from the mainframe and mini computer world to write code for the new IBM technology. We worked with Boehringer Mannheim (later integrated into the Roche group) for a decade creating interfaces and developing the necessary skills. So, we have been doing this for a long time, and we have a very long history of industry involvement.
What are some of the key features that set Comp Pro Med apart from other vendors and systems?
We have striven for decades now to have a fairly priced product with superior support and functionality. While we don’t have broad health care coverage compared to some others on the market, we focus on the clinical laboratory and have deep sets of functionalities in disciplines including virology, microbiology, pathology, cytology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and more. We have evolved a lot of real-world features in our product, and as a midsize company, we are agile. We offer rapid implementation, and our support is second to none.
Does the implementation process differ compared to other LIS?
Simply put, we are faster. We assign multiple engineers to each account to ensure our customers are never waiting on us. We can bring multiple systems online quickly—for example, we can have a 10-workstation system with four or five reference interfaces up in a matter of weeks to months, compared to years.
Why should laboratories consider factors other than cost when implementing an LIS?
It’s important to consider functionality and reputation. There are now many vendors offering web-based solutions, but some lack functionality, and other companies simply haven’t been in the industry for very long. The LIS is basically the laboratory brain and is one of the most important pieces to consider to ensure a well-functioning laboratory in the long-term.
Is the Polytech LIS suitable for specific types of laboratories?
All laboratories, ranging from those in small rural critical access hospitals to large institutions function a little differently and have different needs. The Polytech LIS is suitable for a variety of different types of labs at the technical level, but support during implementation, followed by data support, really sets us apart. An LIS is not a product that is up and running right out of the box, and Polytech is best suited to laboratories that are willing to commit to the process of working through all the details with us to fine tune the system for optimal results.