Molecular Testing Labs, located in Vancouver, Washington, needed a comprehensive redesign of their Laboratory Information System (LIS). The existing system was slow, difficult to navigate, and plagued by security issues and inefficiencies. My role was to provide leadership in overhauling the LIS to create a streamlined, user-friendly platform that mirrored physical lab workflows, reduced errors, and facilitated quicker onboarding for new users, ultimately increasing lab productivity.
Our team traveled to the Molecular Testing Labs in Vancouver to observe and understand the various workflows firsthand. By performing observational research and interviewing users, I gained a tangible understanding of the user journey and identified key pain points that needed to be addressed in the design.
Using Miro, I created a user journey map to validate our research with the client and clearly communicate the user experience vision to the engineers. This map served as a visual tool to align our understanding of user needs and workflows, ensuring that both the client and development team were on the same page.
Solution 1: Single Batch Creation
A lab technician needed to use the system to search for a lab container holding patient samples and then build a batch with related samples for processing. Additionally, they required a graphical representation of the batch to ensure proper sample placement.
Solution 2: Multi-Batch Creation
Lab technicians needed to build multiple batches simultaneously with a screen layout matching their physical setup in a grid-like pattern. When scanning a parent sample, the system had to clearly display which racks to place the child samples in after aliquoting them into smaller tubes.
Solution 3: Instrument Dashboard
Lab technicians needed a constantly displayed instrument dashboard to monitor batch progress and instrument status, matching the physical layout of the lab. Initially, I didn't understand that the graphical layout needed to mirror the lab layout, but after revising the design, we achieved this alignment. This ensured timely patient results and optimal instrument utilization by indicating completed batches and idle instruments. You can view the original design here.
Solution 4: Certifying Batches
Lab Certifiers needed to review batch results for accuracy, create patient notes, and leave internal comments per sample. They required visibility into flagged samples, re-tests, report notes, user comments, and all reporting values for flagged samples.
After multiple testing sessions, results showed that the system significantly increased work efficiency, reducing workflow by over 30 clicks in some cases and cutting the time in half.
However, a small group of specialized lab techs struggled with the new system due to their unique workflow. Due to time constraints and budget limitations, the company decided to postpone further design optimizations for this specific workflow.
Overall, the project was a tremendous success. Over the 1.5 years working on it, I established a strong relationship with the client and was recognized as a key leader. Design played a pivotal role, leading to a long-term business partnership with our firm. This has been the most rewarding project of my career to date.
