Development of a laboratory information management system at IAEA-MEL

In order to deal with an increasing number of incoming samples and/or to follow more closely their life cycle within an analytical laboratory, a computerized system is generally used to increase trackability and to support Good Laboratory Practice. The System for Laboratory Information Management (SLIM) which is under development at IAEA-MEL is a computerized system designed to suit the sample processing and analytical operations specific to a marine environment laboratory running a wide range of projects involving measurement of radioactive and non-radioactive contaminants and tracers and global-scale support to analytical quality. The system is custom-tailored to IAEA-MEL needs yet it is flexible enough to be adaptable for use in other environmental analytical labs. The design of the SLIM database structure was the first step of the system development. While no changes are foreseeably needed in the developed backbone structure, the database implementation can evolve with software, hardware and communication-related options, one key area being that of analytical instrument-computer interface. The structure of the database can be divided into three distinct parts: i) collection of information ii) sample tracking iii) reporting results These different parts show the different laboratory activity areas covered by the SLIM database. The structure (tables and fields) of the database were designed, and at present the implementation is being planned as a multiple step process, starting with basic functions i) and ii), and building upon these gradually. The implementation of SLIM will support increased trackability and efficiency and will facilitate laboratory management. The principal structure of the SLIM database, distinguishing its three main parts, are shown: the collection of information, the sample tracking and the reporting of results