The information management quality system essential describes how a clinical laboratory handles information generated or used by the laboratory. An information management plan should be developed by all clinical microbiology laboratories. Confidentiality is a key element of information management in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Information that is retained in and that flows into and out of the laboratory often contains protected health information. When changing to a new laboratory management system, clinical laboratories may need to transfer information from paper-based to electronic media, or from one electronic system to another. The laboratory information system (LIS) is the hub for managing electronic information in the clinical laboratory. Within the laboratory, the LIS holds data related to test orders, sample collection and receipt, interim/preliminary test notes and results, final test results, previous test results, and patient demographics.