Empowering Laboratories: The Benefits of Full Agency Over LIS System Configuration

Medical laboratories operate in a fast-paced environment where time and productivity are critical. Yet traditionally, labs have been constrained by vendor-controlled laboratory information systems (LIS systems), requiring external support for configuration changes. This article explores how giving labs complete control over their LIS system configuration – a hallmark of modern LIS software solutions – yields significant advantages. 

From eliminating costly vendor change requests and reducing delays to boosting operational efficiency and improving patient care, a self-configurable LIS medical solution empowers lab managers to adapt quickly and stay competitive. 

Join us as we take a closer look at the key benefits of a self-configurable lab information system.

Learn More: The Best Laboratory Information System Companies and the Advantages They Offer to Their Laboratory Clients

Limitations of Traditional LIS System Models (Vendor-Controlled Changes)

In legacy lab information system pricing models, even minor adjustments often require formal requests to the LIS vendor’s IT team. Labs must submit change orders and wait weeks (or even months) for the LIS company to implement and deploy the update. 

Whether adding a new test to the menu or tweaking a report format, the timeline is at the mercy of the LIS system vendor’s schedule. Additionally, LIS vendors frequently charge extra fees for each modification or support request, treating these updates as billable custom work. 

This “nickel-and-diming” approach – where every change incurs an additional cost – strains lab budgets and makes it difficult for laboratories to adapt quickly to new needs. It’s not surprising to learn that hidden and unpredictable charges have been and continue to be among the top complaints of lab executives regarding LIS vendors. 

Under these traditional models, laboratories face financial burdens and operational frustration, as critical clinical lab workflow improvements get delayed in a lengthy queue of vendor-controlled change implementations. This approach prioritizes short-term profits for LIS vendors over a lab’s long-term success and scalability.

In contrast, the best laboratory information system software vendors are motivated to eliminate these barriers through an all-inclusive LIS model that aligns incentives directly with a lab’s growth and operational efficiency, ensuring organizational success is directly linked to both stakeholders.

Learn More: Why Medical Labs Should Consider Deeper Alignment with Their LIS System Partner

Modern LIS Software Solutions Empower Labs with Autonomy

Modern LIS pathology platforms offer intuitive interfaces that put configuration power in the hands of the lab. Instead of relying on LIS system vendors, lab managers, and LIS administrators, can directly adjust system settings to reflect evolving workflows. 

Advanced LIS software provides a powerful administrative backend for complete control – from defining custom workflow steps to editing report templates and delivery preferences – all at the lab’s fingertips. These platforms are designed to be infinitely configurable, enabling authorized laboratory personnel to make changes on the fly without any external development help. In practice, a lab can update a test procedure, add a new panel, or revise a report template format in minutes through built-in configuration tools. 

There is no need for advanced programming skills or vendor intervention to execute these adjustments. The result is an empowered laboratory team that can continuously optimize and refine its pathology lab software to meet current operational needs – improving processes immediately instead of waiting days or weeks for a vendor.

Learn More: Here’s How LigoLab's Pathology Lab Software Supports Lab Report Customization and Client Preferences

Eliminating Costly Change Requests and Downtime

“Time is money” in the laboratory – and self-service medical LIS changes save both. 

By enabling in-house configuration, modern LIS software solutions eliminate the need for costly vendor change orders and development fees. Labs no longer receive unexpected invoices when they need to modify a workflow or add a new report field. In fact, with a self-configurable LIS system, every change can be made internally at no additional cost. This translates into significant financial savings over the lifetime of the system. Laboratories can reallocate funds previously spent on vendor fees toward other priorities like new instruments or staff development.

There’s also a positive impact on downtime. Because changes are implemented rapidly by the lab’s internal team, there is minimal disruption to operations. Labs can schedule configuration updates at convenient times (or even on the fly), often without taking the system offline. 

In contrast, under vendor-controlled models, scheduling an update might involve coordination and waiting which could disrupt lab operations. The new LIS model for configuration ensures that improvements roll out quickly and smoothly, with virtually no negative impact on productivity. In short, labs save money and avoid downtime – a win-win for the bottom line and continuous operations.

And don’t forget about opportunity cost - perhaps the greatest advantage gained through self-service laboratory information system configuration. Every hour a lab spends waiting on vendor approvals, negotiating change requests, or managing system downtime is a lost hour from pursuing growth opportunities or enhancing patient care. 

By eliminating these costly bottlenecks, labs can swiftly adapt to changing demands, implement improvements, and capture new business opportunities without delay. The internal agility gained allows teams to proactively pursue innovation, rather than merely reacting to LIS system limitations. Ultimately, empowering labs to (rapidly) implement their own changes frees them to focus valuable time and resources on strategic initiatives that drive sustained growth and competitive advantage.

Learn More: Stability and Performance - The Two Most Important Aspects of a Modern Laboratory Operation

Boosting Efficiency and Flexibility in Lab Operations

Freedom to configure the LIS lab solution internally leads directly to greater efficiency. 

Laboratories differ widely in their processes, and a one-size-fits-all LIS system often forces workarounds. 

A modern, flexible laboratory information system allows each lab to tailor the LIS software to its unique workflow and adjust it as workflows evolve. For example, if technicians identify a bottleneck in sample accessioning, the medical LIS manager can immediately reconfigure the workflow or rules to resolve it. If a new test or workflow is brought online, the laboratory information system can quickly be adjusted to operationalize and integrate the desired workflow. Such agility means the lab’s pathology software is, without fail, aligned with current operational practices.

Labs that were once stuck with “rigid, legacy LIS systems lacking the functionality and flexibility to tackle today’s challenges” can finally break free. Instead of being a roadblock, the LIS system becomes an enabler of process improvement. Automation rules, notification workflows, and data entry screens can be refined continuously for optimal performance. 

This flexibility also empowers laboratories to easily expand their services or scale operations - allowing the healthcare LIS to efficiently adjust to new departments, increased testing volumes, or evolving data management requirements without requiring extensive system overhauls. Essentially, a self-configurable LIS elevates the laboratory information system from a static tool into an integral, dynamic component of the lab’s ongoing operational strategy, continuously optimized for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

On-Demand Webinar: Leverage LIS System Rules, Automation, and Data Analytics to Increase Efficiency and Cut Costs

Rapid Responsiveness to Market Demands and Regulations

In today’s healthcare market, laboratories must be highly responsive to new opportunities and external demands. With full control over their LIS software configuration, labs can swiftly adapt to changing market needs. For instance, as new diagnostic tests emerge (such as novel genetic panels or infectious disease assays), a lab with a self-configurable laboratory information system can immediately add the test to its menu, create appropriate workflow steps, and set up reporting templates. There is no lengthy delay waiting for the LIS vendor’s update, which means the lab can start offering the new test and meet community demand right away. 

This responsiveness proved critical during events like the COVID-19 pandemic, when labs had to rapidly introduce new testing services and reporting requirements. Labs that could adjust their lab information system settings overnight were able to serve their communities and clients far better than those stuck in vendor queues.

A great example of this agility is the LigoLab Informatics Platform which during the pandemic supported some of the fastest growing labs in the country. LigoLab’s all-in-one medical LIS and lab billing software enabled labs to quickly scale to meet unprecedented demand and deploy new testing protocols, including PCR and antigen tests, supporting rapid onboarding of COVID-19-specific assays. The platform’s intuitive user interface streamlined order processing, specimen management, result reporting, and seamless data exchange with healthcare providers and public health agencies - all of which rapidly expanded testing capacity for LigoLab customers without compromising accuracy or compliance.

Regulatory changes are another area where agility is key. Laboratories often face new compliance rules or laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) code updates (for example, updated CLIA regulations or insurance billing requirements). A self-managed LIS system lets the lab quickly modify fields, rules, or calculations to ensure compliance with new regulations – all without incurring delays or violations. 

In contrast, labs with vendor-locked LIS systems risk falling out of compliance if the vendor cannot implement changes fast enough. Having full configuration control enables a lab to stay in sync with industry changes and proactively adjust to new standards.

Learn More: A Scalable Solution for Molecular LIS Testing Labs

Gaining a Competitive Edge Through Quick Adaptation

The ability to adapt quickly confers a powerful competitive advantage in the lab industry. When a laboratory can implement client requests or market-driven changes immediately, it stands out as a nimble partner. As one LIS expert observed, labs are often asked to modify workflows, add custom panels, or provide new report formats as a condition of winning new contracts – “If they can’t comply with these requests quickly, they could lose the opportunity to a competitor.” 

Labs with self-configurable LIS software solutions can say “yes” to client needs on the spot, knowing their system can be rapidly adjusted to deliver. This fosters stronger customer relationships and attracts customers who might otherwise go to more agile competitors.

On the flip side, laboratories tied to inflexible vendor-controlled LIS systems risk missing out. If adding a specialized test or adapting a reporting format takes months of waiting, prospective clients will simply take their business to a lab that can meet their requirements sooner. 

In an industry where physicians and healthcare providers value turnaround time and customization, speed is a selling point. The best LIS software solutions give labs the speed and adaptability to stay ahead of industry trends and offer the latest services. Labs can quickly capitalize on emerging testing demands or new healthcare initiatives, while competitors still struggling with change requests are left behind. In summary, an organization that controls its LIS lab configuration can pivot quickly and seize opportunities – a decisive edge in a competitive market where being first and fast matters.

Learn More: Best LIS Software - Maximize Growth With Cutting Edge Pathology Lab Management Software

Enhancing Patient Care and Service Quality

Faster, more flexible lab processes ultimately benefit patient care. When laboratories can implement changes rapidly and fine-tune their operations, it directly improves the quality and timeliness of laboratory services that patients and clinicians rely on. For example, if a lab identifies a way to streamline a test workflow through LIS system configuration, that change can shorten the turnaround time for results. 

Prompt turnaround times in laboratory testing support better patient care and experience – clinicians receive results sooner and can make critical treatment decisions without delay, which leads to improved outcomes. In contrast, delays or downtime in pathology LIS systems can postpone diagnoses or prolong hospital stays, negatively impacting patient health. By minimizing such delays through a well-configured, always-optimized LIS software, labs contribute to faster diagnoses and treatments.

Quality of service is also elevated. Self-configurable lab information systems allow labs to maintain consistently high quality and accuracy in reporting. If an error trend is noticed or a quality improvement is needed, the best LIS can be quickly adjusted (for example, adding an extra verification step or an alert for abnormal values) to enhance patient safety. Laboratories can also respond to patient and physician feedback more readily – such as adjusting report formats for clarity or adding new data points that physicians find useful – thereby improving the overall service experience. 

Ultimately, an LIS system that the lab can control and refine leads to a more responsive, reliable laboratory service. Patients benefit from timely, accurate results and laboratories strengthen their role as integral partners in patient care.

Learn More: What You Need to Know Before Contracting with a Laboratory Information System (LIS) Company

Conclusion: A New Era of Laboratory Autonomy

Modern LIS pathology solutions that give laboratories full control over configuration mark a new era of autonomy and efficiency in lab operations. Instead of being bottlenecked by vendor schedules and fees, labs with self-configurable laboratory information systems can innovate and improve continuously. The financial benefits are evident in the elimination of change-request costs and better allocation of resources. 

Operationally, these labs become more agile – able to reconfigure workflows, add new tests, and meet regulatory requirements at a moment’s notice. This diagnostic lab software agility not only boosts internal efficiency and staff morale (since teams aren’t stuck waiting on outside help) but also translates into superior service for clients and patients. Laboratories can rapidly adapt to the needs of the healthcare community, providing cutting-edge diagnostics and upholding compliance without missing a beat.

In a competitive and fast-evolving industry, labs that embrace LIS system configurability are better equipped to thrive. They can scale up, diversify, and align their services with market demands in real time, gaining a reputation for reliability and responsiveness. Most importantly, by removing delays and inefficiencies in the informatics backbone of the lab, these modern LIS software platforms enable laboratory professionals to focus on what truly matters – delivering accurate results swiftly and contributing to excellent patient care. 

The message is clear: granting labs full control over their lab information system configuration isn’t just an IT convenience, it’s a strategic imperative that drives financial, operational, and clinical success in today’s laboratory landscape.

LigoLab: Empowering Medical Labs with Unified Medical LIS & Lab RCM Software for Enhanced Efficiency and Profitability

LigoLab is a leading LIS company specializing in integrated pathology lab software solutions designed to optimize medical laboratory operations, improve efficiency, and enhance revenue management. 

Founded in 2006, LigoLab's core offering is its comprehensive informatics platform that seamlessly combines a laboratory information system (LIS) and lab revenue cycle management (lab RCM) system into one unified pathology software solution. This integration eliminates the need for disparate laboratory software systems, significantly reduces operational complexity, and enhances laboratory profitability.

The LigoLab platform covers every aspect of the laboratory workflow, from order entry and specimen processing to reporting, compliance, and lab billing. By leveraging advanced automation and intelligent workflows, LigoLab streamlines operations, reduces errors, accelerates turnaround times, and ensures regulatory compliance.

A key differentiator for LigoLab is its emphasis on flexibility and scalability, making the platform adaptable for laboratories of all sizes, including clinical, reference, anatomic pathology, and molecular diagnostics labs. Additionally, the company offers robust data analytics and business intelligence tools, empowering laboratories to make informed decisions based on real-time performance metrics.

LigoLab serves a diverse client base, including independent laboratories, pathology groups, and specialty diagnostic labs. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company is known for providing personalized customer support and continuous product innovation. 

LigoLab's commitment to developing integrated, user-friendly pathology management software technology has established it as a trusted partner for laboratories aiming to enhance patient care quality, maximize operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.