Abbott Introduces Novel Integrated Web-Based Software Platform

As health care systems around the world face challenges such as labor shortages, increased regulation and budget constraints, they rely on technology to help manage the impact. To assist in addressing these challenges, Abbott has announced OneLab, a new, Web-based, integrated laboratory informatics solution.

OneLab is a highly-configurable platform that allows labs of any size to standardize processes across multiple locations and automate routine procedures such as sample management and tracking, as well as test result review and approval. This new information management capability can improve efficiency and productivity while reducing errors, which is important for patient safety.

"The essence of diagnostic testing is accurate medical information and, most importantly, the ability to provide it to clinicians when, where and how they need it," said Brian Blaser, executive vice president, Diagnostics Products, Abbott. "Our customers are processing large volumes of tests for physicians. OneLab allows labs to address these operational challenges without sacrificing quality or efficiency."

Informatics refers to the processing, management and retrieval of information, which is critical for making clinical decisions. In the laboratory, clinical decision- making requires access to timely and accurate information. OneLab unites most of a laboratory's information and decision tools into one easy-to-use system, allowing labs to manage data with a single user interface. The solution is comprised of three applications: Smart Center, Inventory Manager, and Decision Center.

Smart Center is a Web-based laboratory process management and control application and the heart of the OneLab platform. It provides robust connectivity to instruments and a single point for consolidated information. The built-in functionality enables the automation of complex clinical laboratory protocols, leading to greater productivity and standardization of best practices. Together, all these capabilities and benefits support the quality of care.

Inventory Manager is an inventory tracking and order management system that utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Inventory Manager provides an automated solution to improve the accuracy of order entry, inventory count and usage, while reducing labor required to track supplies.

Decision Center is a business performance application that utilizes sophisticated tools to bring together data from different sources to optimize decision-making. Using advanced database technology, data can be integrated from multiple sources and quickly structured into visually accessible formats.