Priyanka Joshi

 With growing digitization, laboratories these days are exposed to enormous amounts of data. Naturally, one of the biggest challenges before them is to effectively manage and use this data. While various storage solutions have made their presence felt, they’ve fallen out of favor as per trending technology needs. In this post, we will discuss a technology for labs, which is creating the maximum buzz - data lake. What is data lake? The first digitization push of the laboratories happened when the companies started recording data on the local computer disk, which in the initial days, was then collected and collated together into a basic folder-based repository. This still remains the simplest and most cost-effective way for most of the labs. But, most businesses are now willing to invest in more advanced data storage solutions to leverage specific capabilities. It is in this context that the concept of data lake comes into play. A data lake is basically defined as a storage repository that holds a vast amount of raw data in its native format until it is needed. While the earlier storage solutions will store data in files or folders as per a specific classification or hierarchy, a data lake uses a flat architecture to store data. Each data element in a lake is assigned a unique identifier and tagged with a set of extended metadata tags. When a business question arises, the data lake can be queried for relevant data, and that smaller set of data can then be analyzed to help answer the question. How to use the data lake? Storing data in a data lake, to a large extent, takes care of the unsiloed part of the data itself. But even within a data lake, there is a need to standardize it in some format, so it makes sense. The unsiloed data can be assigned a properly defined metadata tagging and standardized formats so it can be automatically captured and fed directly into an enterprise data lake. This will help laboratories to easily and accurately store, leverage and reuse data. It will also help in real-time analytics and trend analysis. While big labs are embracing the technology, small labs are holding back due to the obvious cost factor. Now, they can explore a new plug-in solution called CARE Diva by Caredata, designed specifically for small labs. CARE Diva provides computerized reports for patients, eliminating the need for expensive Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) to manage data. It provides complete packaged functionalities of device interfacing along with a lightweight patient registration and report generation. This enables seamless laboratory automation by providing customized quality reports to patients. Future in the cloud As with other industries, cloud storage is fast becoming a mainstay in the lab data space as well. Lab owners can choose to host the entire project on the cloud, from the data-lake storage to the lab informatics and analytics applications. Here again, CARE Connect from Caredata is a unique product waiting to be explored. It is a unique cloud-based middleware solution that helps in efficiently managing the entire lab operations in a typical multi-center environment. With its built-in intelligence, CARE Konnekt enables the lab manager as well as any other invested stakeholder to take complete seamless control of lab operations, and patients. It also helps in the improvement of TATs, and subsequently the treatment outcome and user experience by providing clinically accurate reports in real-time. The road ahead As digitization seeps into every aspect of our lives, it is imperative for businesses to keep finding ways to most effectively leverage the data. Removing the barriers to data access should be the potent driving force to unleash the full power of data lakes.