Fimlab

Designing healthcare information system

Fimlab’s laboratory information system and its various sub-entities were updated to meet today’s needs. Experts in UI-design, service design and project management, designed a modern version of the sampling information system for healthcare professionals.

Objective

Patient safety first in UI design

Fimlab is Finland’s largest healthcare laboratory company, serving approximately 1.5 million Finns in more than 100 locations across the country. Nordlab provides high-quality sampling and laboratory services in 80 locations in Kainuu, Central Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Northern Ostrobothnia. Every year, Nordlab conducts more than 9 million laboratory tests.

Fimlab’s laboratory information system and its various sub-entities were updated to meet today’s needs. The goal was to improve its accessibility so that medical staff can focus on patients, not tools. The version of Nordlab’s sampling information system will also renew Nordlab’s sampling and meet their needs better, especially thanks to the mobile responsiveness of the system.

“The smooth operation and speed of healthcare systems are vital to save lives. The smoother and easier to use the system, the faster and safer it is for users”, says Leena Aho, Senior UX/UI Designer.

Health and social services sector is a multi-vendor environment. Therefore, various system dependencies and the needs of different stakeholders were taken into account right from the start. Complex functions were made smooth in the UI-design through Fimlab and Nordlab’s arranged interviews with end users responsible for various healthcare functions.

“Although Fimlab and Nordlab both provide laboratory services, there may be differences in some operating methods. Even these small differences have been reconciled into a common system thanks to good cooperation”, says Aila Majava, Product Owner, Nordlab

Solution

Accessibility with service design

The sampling information system is part of a larger laboratory information system, which is being completely renewed. The design was done from scratch, with a special focus on the usability, accessibility and simplification of the system. In addition, the design process was led with the help of service design and UI-images and prototypes. Cooperation began quickly agile and seamless with Fimlab, Nordlab and other partners in the design group.

The development of the laboratory information system began with a service design-oriented survey based on the needs of the interviewees.

After that a prototype user interface was created, which was tested in both 1-2-1 tests and self-operating tests. Based on the feedback, a model of the new user interface and path was developed. At the same time, a component library was created to be used in various tools, such as the survey ordering tool.

As a result of the project, the project team, led by Gofore’s subsidiary Huld’s experts, built an accessible, easy-to-use product concept for the sampling information system that serves different user groups.

“The healthcare environment requires deep knowledge of the terminology as well as systems and legislation in the field. In addition, the needs of different user groups varied greatly. Close collaboration between the customer and the development team, as well as valuable feedback from doctors and nurses, helped create a user-friendly and safe concept”, says Mimosa Sukanen, Service Designer.

“We are very pleased with the active and cooperative approach of Huld’s experts. Our collaboration has covered a wide range of projects, and we have always been able to rely on Huld’s expertise.”

Antti Häikiö, ICT architect, Fimlab

Result

Building the future of healthcare solutions

Huld has also worked closely with Fimlab and Nordlab in other development projects. For example, Huld’s expert has worked as a Scrum Master in the web development team for several years, guiding it with agile methods. During our long-term cooperation, Huld has also provided Fimlab with expertise in mobile application development.

“We utilise the SAFe framework, which sets the pace for agile development in collaboration between several teams. Quality assurance is achieved through comprehensive testing, code reviews and checkpoints, where data security and data protection are constantly at the core. Our UI/UX designers ensure that user interfaces and back-end systems are implemented to be fit for purpose”, Satu Keski-Jaskari, Senior Project Manager.

The first phase of the modernization of the laboratory information system focused on significant changes in background systems. Now the sampling section, which is also visible to users, has been renewed. The next step will be to put the concept created by the design team into practice.

Our cooperation with Fimlab and Nordlab will also continue with other products. The development of the system involves suppliers from several partner companies, and the process includes close dialogue with professional customers of laboratories.

“The strength of Huld’s experts has been smooth cooperation. It is especially emphasized in our multi-supplier team, where the ability to work with different parties is crucial”, says Antti Häikiö, ICT architect, Fimlab.

Expertise