Digitising the Laboratory and Radiology Departments

Digitising the lab and radiology: from order to result in the patient file

The laboratory and radiology are among the most data-heavy departments: orders, samples, devices, images and reports. Digitising them reduces errors, gets results to the doctor faster and gives patients a copy they can take with them wherever they go.

Hospitals and health 6 min read

By Nour Aldein Tleti. Updated 7 October 2026.

What does digitising the lab and radiology mean?

It means the test or imaging order arrives electronically from the doctor, each sample carries a coded label linking it to the patient, and results move from devices into the system without manual copying wherever possible. In radiology, images are stored digitally and shown to the doctor alongside the report. The final result then returns to the patient file and can be shared securely with the patient.

Digitising the laboratory

Electronic orders: The doctor chooses tests from a standard list, so technicians do not misread the order.
Sample barcodes: A barcode label on each tube links it to the patient and the order, reducing sample mix-ups.
Device integration: Many modern analysers send results directly to the laboratory information system, which reduces copying errors.
Review and approval: No result is released until the responsible person has reviewed it, with abnormal and critical values flagged.

Digitising radiology

Image archiving and sharing: A PACS system stores X-ray, CT and MRI images in DICOM format and displays them on doctors’ screens.
Department workflow: A RIS system organises exam appointments, devices and reports and links them to the doctor’s order.
Structured reports: Report templates for each type of exam speed up writing and standardise terminology.
Remote reading: A specialist outside the hospital can read images over a secure connection, when the network and local regulations allow.

Local challenges and solutions

Older devices without integration: Not every device can be connected, so manual entry with a second check is used until they are upgraded.
Image size and weak internet: Radiology images are large, so the archive is kept on a local server with a fast internal network, and images are sent remotely only when needed.
Delivering results to patients: Instead of CDs and films, a secure link or PDF report can be sent, with privacy in mind.
Patients consulting doctors abroad: Organised digital copies make it easier for patients to show their results to a doctor inside or outside Syria.
Device faults during outages: Power fluctuations damage analysers and imaging equipment, so protect them with voltage stabilisers and suitable power sources, and log faults to find their causes.

Steps to digitise the lab and radiology

01
Take stock of devices and their capabilities
Record each device’s model and whether it can connect to an external system. This determines what is linked automatically and what stays manual.
02
Standardise the exam list
Keep one list of test and imaging names, codes and prices, used by the lab, radiology and accounts alike.
03
Start with orders and labels
Electronic orders and barcode labels quickly reduce errors, even before devices are connected.
04
Connect devices gradually
Start with the most used devices, and check for long enough that transferred results match the device’s own results.
05
Turn on electronic delivery of results
First to doctors inside the system, then to patients through a secure method approved by management.

Core systems and their role

System	Department	Main function
LIS (laboratory information system)	Laboratory	Managing orders, samples, results and quality
RIS (radiology information system)	Radiology	Scheduling exams and managing reports
PACS (picture archiving and communication)	Radiology and clinical departments	Storing, viewing and sharing medical images
HIS (hospital information system)	The whole hospital	Linking orders and results to the patient file and billing

Read also

Hospitals and health

Frequently asked questions

Do we have to buy all three systems together?

No. You can start with the lab system or image archiving, depending on the greatest need, as long as the systems support integration standards such as HL7 and DICOM so they can connect later.

How do we store radiology images for long periods?

With sufficient local storage plus encrypted off-site backups, and a clear retention policy in line with current local requirements.

Can results be sent to patients on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is easy for patients, but results are sensitive health data. A secure, code-protected link or a patient portal is better. If WhatsApp is used, do so with the patient’s consent and with care.

What is the benefit of linking the lab to billing?

Every test performed is billed automatically, so completed services are not lost without being charged, and patients are not charged for tests that were not done.

Does digitisation help a small private lab?

Yes. A simple lab system that prints labels and reports and keeps the patient’s history improves accuracy and makes delivering results easier.