Information storage and communication
Introduction
As a lab technician working in the in the development department for a pharmaceutical company
that develops and produces new drugs, I will be producing a report evaluating the challenges in
storing and communicating the range of information recorded and processed within the
laboratory, comparing the systems in the development laboratory to those in the company’s
manufacturing department. I will also be talking about the lab storing confidential information
relating to drug development as well as personal and confidential information relating to
volunteers who are used for drug trials.
When comparing 2 different laboratory types which includes a development laboratory and a
manufacturing laboratory, they have their differences. A development laboratory provides support
to innovation and research in order to create new products or improve current ones. The purpose
of this exploratory and experimental lab style is to find new techniques or formulations
(Onepointe Solutions, 2022). A manufacturing laboratory, on the other hand, belongs to the large-
scale manufacture and quality control of already-created goods. Efficiency, consistency, and
meeting legal requirements are prioritised in a manufacturing lab to ensure large-scale production
while upholding quality and safety standards (Medium, 2023).
Scientific Information
The use of modern technology, an emphasis on quality control, safety procedures, and a scientific
foundation are some of the similarities between development and manufacturing laboratories.
However, their main goals are different. Development laboratories focus more on mass
production and achieving quality requirements, whereas development labs are all about research
and innovation to create or improve products (Onepointe Solutions, 2022). Manufacturing labs are
bigger and more standardised, striving for production efficiency and consistency, while
development labs are more flexible and smaller, investigating new ideas (Medium, 2023).
LIMS
A software programme called a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is used to
organise and control laboratory operations. In addition to assisting with sample monitoring and
data management. This would be very useful in any laboratory. LIMS also makes sure that lab
procedures are effective and adhere to legal requirements. Sample tracking, data management,
process automation, and reporting are some of the main functions of LIMS (Illumina, 2024).
Recording Data
When recording data, laboratories may use different techniques. They may use paper workbooks
and important laboratory notebooks to manually record experiments and results. Although this
approach provides a straightforward way to gather data, it has a number of drawbacks, the most
popular of which being highly susceptible to human error (News Medical, 2019). Another way in
which they may record data is by computer forms. This is a digital form of data collection that
allows individuals to directly store data into a computer system. This offers more accuracy and
easier data management, compared to paper-based methods (Adam Equipment, 2019).
Additionally, laboratories may use intranet to store their data. This is an internal network, where
all staff and employees are able to securely share and access data within the organisation. This
promotes collaboration and ensures there us up-to-date information for all staff members
(Bloomfire, 2022).
Introduction
As a lab technician working in the in the development department for a pharmaceutical company
that develops and produces new drugs, I will be producing a report evaluating the challenges in
storing and communicating the range of information recorded and processed within the
laboratory, comparing the systems in the development laboratory to those in the company’s
manufacturing department. I will also be talking about the lab storing confidential information
relating to drug development as well as personal and confidential information relating to
volunteers who are used for drug trials.
When comparing 2 different laboratory types which includes a development laboratory and a
manufacturing laboratory, they have their differences. A development laboratory provides support
to innovation and research in order to create new products or improve current ones. The purpose
of this exploratory and experimental lab style is to find new techniques or formulations
(Onepointe Solutions, 2022). A manufacturing laboratory, on the other hand, belongs to the large-
scale manufacture and quality control of already-created goods. Efficiency, consistency, and
meeting legal requirements are prioritised in a manufacturing lab to ensure large-scale production
while upholding quality and safety standards (Medium, 2023).
Scientific Information
The use of modern technology, an emphasis on quality control, safety procedures, and a scientific
foundation are some of the similarities between development and manufacturing laboratories.
However, their main goals are different. Development laboratories focus more on mass
production and achieving quality requirements, whereas development labs are all about research
and innovation to create or improve products (Onepointe Solutions, 2022). Manufacturing labs are
bigger and more standardised, striving for production efficiency and consistency, while
development labs are more flexible and smaller, investigating new ideas (Medium, 2023).
LIMS
A software programme called a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is used to
organise and control laboratory operations. In addition to assisting with sample monitoring and
data management. This would be very useful in any laboratory. LIMS also makes sure that lab
procedures are effective and adhere to legal requirements. Sample tracking, data management,
process automation, and reporting are some of the main functions of LIMS (Illumina, 2024).
Recording Data
When recording data, laboratories may use different techniques. They may use paper workbooks
and important laboratory notebooks to manually record experiments and results. Although this
approach provides a straightforward way to gather data, it has a number of drawbacks, the most
popular of which being highly susceptible to human error (News Medical, 2019). Another way in
which they may record data is by computer forms. This is a digital form of data collection that
allows individuals to directly store data into a computer system. This offers more accuracy and
easier data management, compared to paper-based methods (Adam Equipment, 2019).
Additionally, laboratories may use intranet to store their data. This is an internal network, where
all staff and employees are able to securely share and access data within the organisation. This
promotes collaboration and ensures there us up-to-date information for all staff members
(Bloomfire, 2022).
