What is Laboratory Middleware?
The Bridge Between Instruments and LIS/LIMS
Trusted by leading diagnostic labs and life sciences companies
- Middleware
- Laboratory middleware is software that sits between laboratory instruments and the LIMS/LIS, managing bidirectional communication, auto-verification rules, and data validation. It acts as a traffic controller that can process results, flag abnormals, and reduce manual review time.
Middleware serves as an intelligent layer that processes data before it reaches the LIS/LIMS. By applying rules and validations at this level, laboratories can automatically release routine results, flag exceptions for review, and reduce technologist workload while improving quality.
How Middleware Works
Receive Results
Middleware receives test results from instruments via standard protocols (ASTM, HL7, serial)
Apply Rules
Results are evaluated against auto-verification rules, delta checks, and QC parameters
Route Results
Passing results are released; exceptions are held for technologist review
Forward to LIS
Verified results are transmitted to the LIS/LIMS for final reporting
Key Features
Auto-Verification
Automatically release results that meet defined criteria
Delta Checks
Compare results to patient history and flag significant changes
Rule Engine
Configurable business rules for result processing
QC Integration
Apply quality control rules before result release
Multi-Instrument
Connect multiple instruments through single interface
Result Reflex
Trigger additional tests based on initial results
Middleware vs Direct LIMS Integration
With Middleware
- Advanced auto-verification rules
- Delta checks against patient history
- Centralized instrument management
- Complex rule logic
- 50-90% auto-verification rates
Direct LIS Connection
- Simpler architecture
- Lower initial cost
- Basic auto-verification
- LIS-dependent rules
- Works for smaller labs