[MA 2025 18] Strategic IT Alignment in Dutch Clinical Laboratories: current state analysis and recommendations
Dept of Medical Informatics, Dept of Laboratory Medicine
Proposed by: Dr. Helena Chon [h.chon@amsterdamumc.nl]
Introduction
Up to 70% of clinical decisions in healthcare are based on laboratory results [1]. Medical laboratories process thousands of samples daily, operating as highly automated environments that handle a vast array of requests. To meet clinical demand for rapid and reliable results with minimal workload, strategies such as Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), Total Lab Automation (TLA), and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are implemented. These strategies are integrated within a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), connecting laboratory analyzers on one end and the Electronic Health Record (EHR) on the other. Authorization and reporting of laboratory results follow standardized protocols [2].
Description of the SRP Project/Problem
Despite extensive automation, further progress in areas such as the use of intelligent rules for authorization and reporting, the exchange of results with healthcare providers outside the hospital, and workflow optimization has been lagging. Laboratory staff are predominantly trained in analytical skills, with IT competencies for maintaining and optimizing the LIMS system often underrepresented in educational curricula. Other challenges include understaffing, limited IT understanding, and task overload in particular functional groups. Strategic alignment of IT with laboratory business processes—an approach proven useful in healthcare—could address these gaps [3].
Research questions
How can the current state of Strategic IT alignment be measured and analysed?
Which standardized questionnaires are available (e.g. Luftman’s Strategic Alignment Maturity questionnaire)?
How can these questionnaires be adjusted and applied to Dutch laboratories?
What are the main IT challenges reported, and which laboratory functional groups bear the greatest workload?
How do questionnaire outcomes differ across various types of Dutch laboratories?
What recommendations can be made to optimize strategic IT alignment in Dutch clinical laboratories?
What best practices can be proposed for the education and training of laboratory personnel regarding IT?
Expected results
Development of a Dutch questionnaire for assessing the current state of strategic IT alignment in clinical laboratories, including items on IT challenges and workload distribution by functional group.
Data analysis of questionnaire results across all types of Dutch laboratories, with subgroup analyses where relevant.
Identification of key IT challenges and workload areas.
Recommendations for optimizing IT strategy and alignment, as well as for educational curricula and training for laboratory personnel.
Time period, please tick at least 1 time period1
X November – June
X May – November
Contact
Dr. Helena Chon, klinisch chemicus & MSc Health Informatics. Amsterdam UMC department of Laboratory medicine. h.chon@amsterdamumc.nl
Dr. Marieke Sijm, dept. of Medical Informatics, Amsterdam UMC. Lecturer Strategic Informationmanagment. m.e.sijm@amsterdamumc.nl
References
[1] Kilpatrick ES, Freedman DB, on behalf of the National Clinical Biochemistry Audit Group. A national survey of interpretative reporting in the UK.?Ann Clin Biochem?2011;48:317–20
[2] Eindrapport onderzoek naar implementatie van LOINC in Nederland | Data voor gezondheid
[3] (PDF) Strategic Alignment Maturity: A Structural Equation Model Validation.