MatrixConnect is both an interfacing software for automation instruments and a laboratory production management software. Like laboratory technicians and analysis routines, MatrixConnect stands between LIS (Laboratory Information System) and automation instruments thus providing a computerized solution to fill an important gap in laboratory applications. MatrixConnect introduces a new and faster way of working with less red tape, and offers unprecedented production management resources to the laboratory technician.

Here is an outline of how MatrixConnect operates. The production flow starts when LIS sends patient, sample and test data to MatrixConnect, using its own conventions and naming system which are supported by MatrixConnect with no need for translations of any kind. From the receipt of data to the validation of results, the production flow is controlled by the laboratory technician directly through MatrixConnect or by means of pre-defined automation rules. At the end of the process, results which have been validated by MatrixConnect, according to the standards and criteria established by the laboratory, are sent to LIS using the LIS naming system and are then ready for report issue and queries.

LIS and MatrixConnect may communicate over the Matrix Protocol, which has become very popular in the Brazilian market, thanks to its simplicity. MatrixConnect operates with any communication protocol including ASTM and HL7 protocols, and supports several concurrent data transport mechanisms such as serial RS-232, TCP/IP, text files and others. MatrixConnect requires no proprietary hardware and a single communication link between LIS and MatrixConnect is needed to enable interfacing with all of the laboratory instruments. Please refer to the Diagrams of Usage for further details on the possible configurations of MatrixConnect, the distribution of its modules and the infrastructure design. There is no limitation as to the amount of data stored and maintained in its database or to the number of automation instruments which can be controlled by MatrixConnect at the same time, other than the limitation imposed by the capacity of the hardware used.

MatrixConnect has two modules: the Management Module and the Communication Module. The Management Module is a Windows standard software and is configured and operated through Windows. The Communication Module allows the control and programming of automation instruments, receiving test results from them. The Communication Module, like the Caché database in which data are stored, may be installed in several operating systems including Windows, Unix, Linux and others. Different installations of MatrixConnect modules in laboratories are possible depending on several factors including the segmentation of technical areas within the laboratory, number of accesses and the laboratory's network. For further details, please refer to MatrixConnect's Diagrams of Usage. Contact us for specifications of the hardware required for the processing of the Communication Module, and for the use of the Management Module in workstations.
In addition to the vast array of interfaces available with MatrixConnect, our customers can rely on our fast-response development team which includes highly trained and specialized engineers, system analysts and programmers. Our team has achieved unmatched performance and is now able to develop new interfaces in two days on average, thus virtually enabling communication with any instrument currently available on the market or that may be available in the future. This array of interfaces includes interfaces for many different laboratory specialties, blood banks, point-of-care equipment and others.

Following are some of the functionalities that make MatrixConnect the most complete and versatile laboratory automation system on the Brazilian market. Please access the descriptions of MatrixStorage and MatrixQC to learn more about the benefits provided by other Matrix products that can be integrated to MatrixConnect.

Production Management

The introduction of interfacing in laboratories allows faster production and thus requires appropriate control of sample processing. Operations which used to be carried out manually, such as instrument programming or result validation can now be carried out with little intervention on the part of laboratory technicians or can be fully automated. The task lists, result transcripts, calculation, manual data entry and other operational activities are automated, thus freeing the laboratory technician to focus on the control of sample flow and on the technical and clinical analysis of results.

MatrixConnect enables the laboratory technician to monitor and control all the phases of sample processing. Different filters allow the selection of samples for analysis or for actions such as the repetition of tests or supplementation of results. The software enables the laboratory technician to have access to patient's personal data and previous results, in addition to processing flags, results from other areas of the laboratory, results of calculations and translations and to all other information required for decision making from a single point with the desired level of detail.

Sample Programming

MatrixConnect's interfaces implement both query and download programming modes whenever allowed by the instrument. All personal or admission data supported by the instrument are sent. Sample downloads may be carried out automatically or by using a specific screen which simplifies the design of task lists. Samples may be registered directly in MatrixConnect which operates as a small LIS or replaces it during technical downtime. Barcode labels may be generated either manually or automatically according to the laboratory's own standards and rules. Different routines may share the same instrument through MatrixConnect's production scaling features. Small instruments with no support for sample identification may have their samples identified directly in MatrixConnect either before or after they are processed. Groups of similar instruments may be operated as a pool, that is, samples are programmed simultaneously in all of them and, once they are recognized as allocated in one of them, their programming is cancelled in the other instruments, thus allowing sample assembly always in the first available instrument, hassle-free for the laboratory technician.

Results

MatrixConnect's Control Panel enables the viewing of results which are organized in different ways and at different levels of detail. Different filters allow the selection of samples to be treated within the set of all the samples. Results from repeated tests and previous results are available for analysis as the current result is being analyzed. The results of certain parameters may be based on calculations made with other parameters. Results may be automatically validated by defining validation rules. Calculations and validation rules may be based on sample or patient data such as sex, age, LMP, HMO, etc. An outstanding navigation tool allows the introduction of supplementary results (for example, urine volume) in a list of selected samples; supplementary results may be used in calculations, in validation rules, and sent to LIS. Configurable Dictionaries enable the laboratory to establish automatic translation of codes into expressions such as “ami” into “amikacine”, “rc” into “repeated and confirmed”, etc, thus simplifying the supplementation of results; different codes may be manually entered simultaneously or selected from a list. MatrixCounter enables cell counting, the annotation of morphology characteristics and the entering of notes directly into MatrixConnect with no need for transcripts or manual entry of data. The software offers different formats to present lists of samples and results on screen and on paper. It also provides reports to support manual techniques.

Security and Traceability

All MatrixConnect users are registered and have their access profiles defined on an individual basis by the person in charge of this operation. Each user has his own access password which is unknown even to the user administrator. Passwords are cryptographed in the database. The software enables the definition of access profiles to restrict user access to modules, functions, instruments and to prevent specific actions in each operating environment. Around 400 types of different events may be recorded in MatrixConnect and associated to the date and time of their occurrence and to the user, in addition to other data. Powerful research and maintenance tools enable audit of the events recorded.

Information retrieval

Administration and Support

MatrixConnect uses Intersystems Caché as its database and extends the versatile configurations and options available in this database such as hot backup, database mirroring and low consumption of disk storage space to its users. MatrixConnect may be configured to automatically export record data including samples, patients and logs to external media to keep the database stable in size and ensure backup procedures are not compromised. Communication between MatrixConnect and individual automation instruments is recorded in detail in a circular file whose size is configured by the laboratory. It provides information to support and audit activities. Matrix remote support tool, the On-line Support, is available through this site and enables a Matrix specialist, upon authorization from the laboratory, to remotely operate MatrixConnect thus allowing remote training, reconfiguration or support sessions wherever the laboratory is located.