Rapid Response in Public Health: How a University-Based Viral Threat Lab Scaled Testing with LabLynx
LabLynx equips public health and academic labs with the agility and digital infrastructure needed to scale operations quickly, adapt to evolving threats, and deliver timely, accurate results. In one southern state, where urgent testing was critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, LabLynx played a pivotal role in helping a university-based lab launch testing efforts rapidly and respond efficiently to evolving public health demands.
Responding to a Crisis: Urgent Testing Demands in Long-Term Care Facilities
When COVID-19 began spreading rapidly across the country, long-term care facilities were hit the hardest. One southern state faced an immediate need to test vulnerable residents in nursing homes to prevent widespread transmission. The state’s health department required a scalable and compliant lab partner to support its testing and surveillance program.
A newly established university-based lab answered the call, standing up operations within weeks. The original software tools used by the lab were not suited for regulated testing environments or high-volume workflows. Manual data handling and fragmented systems quickly became bottlenecks, and a more robust solution was urgently needed to meet regulatory and operational requirements.
Implementing a Scalable LIMS to Support Public Health Missions
LabLynx provided a powerful laboratory information management system that could be implemented rapidly and configured to meet the lab’s urgent and specific needs. Within weeks, the LIMS was operational, integrated with instruments, and set up with a secure portal to support fast result delivery. This foundation allowed the lab to process thousands of COVID-19 tests per day with precision and consistency.
The system was tailored to accommodate the unique workflows of public health testing, including automated ingestion of instrument outputs, customized data review protocols, and streamlined result delivery. The secure portal enabled authorized users such as nursing home staff and physicians to access reports directly, reducing manual communication and minimizing potential HIPAA concerns.
Even during the height of the pandemic, the lab maintained turnaround times under 48 hours, with many results available in 24 to 36 hours. LabLynx’s automation and flexibility played a critical role in allowing the lab to scale with minimal staffing. As the state’s testing needs evolved—from nursing homes to schools and other community settings—the LIMS adapted alongside, ensuring continuity and control throughout shifting public health demands.
Don’t let a one-size-fits-all system limit your lab—discover how our customizable solutions can streamline operations and support your unique workflows.
Smarter Lab Operations with LabLynx: Key Advantages and Outcomes
LabLynx enabled this academic public health lab to launch large-scale testing rapidly, support ongoing state health initiatives, and streamline its operations. The LIMS delivered the flexibility, automation, and visibility needed to adapt quickly and maintain compliance throughout shifting public health priorities.
Key Features That Transformed Lab Operations
Automated Instrument Integration
The LabLynx LIMS was configured to receive output from testing instruments, automatically processing results with minimal manual input. This eliminated transcription errors and accelerated test reporting across high volumes.
Self-Service Customer Portal
A secure portal enabled nursing home staff and physicians to retrieve test results without calling or emailing the lab. This improved data access, reduced administrative work, and supported HIPAA compliance.
Rapid Turnaround Times
Even during peak COVID-19 surges, the lab consistently delivered results within 24 to 48 hours. LabLynx’s system automation played a critical role in achieving these turnaround times with a lean team.
Top Reasons This Lab Chose LabLynx
Fast and Responsive Implementation
The lab needed a system up and running within weeks. LabLynx delivered, offering hands-on support and customized features that allowed the lab to process its first LIMS-supported tests in under two months.
Regulatory Readiness and Compliance
The previous system lacked compliance capabilities. LabLynx offered a fully compliant LIMS that supported CLIA and CAP regulations, helping the lab scale its operations under tight public health scrutiny.
Flexible Configuration for Future Threats
The LIMS was built to evolve. The lab can now independently add new tests and workflows to address future threats, like monkeypox, with minimal delays or technical overhead.
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