Seamless Data Exchange is Here and Will Soon Be Widely Adopted

In his latest thought-leadership article for the Forbes Business Council, LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian examines interoperability between electronic health records (EHRs) and laboratory information systems (LIS software).

Editor’s Note: Click below to access the entire article.

Avunjian’s Forbes Business Council Article: Enhancing Patient Care With Electronic Health Records And Laboratory Information Systems

Suren writes about the inherent difficulties associated with data exchange between these two disparate laboratory software systems and why LIS healthcare leaders need to continue working toward a new level of convergence between the two highly intertwined systems.

What follows is an executive summary of Suren's article. After the summary, we'll include links to his previous thought-leadership pieces, which focus on the best way to fund an enterprise lab, how current clinical and pathology lab software technology is shaping the future of medical labs, and the pros and cons associated with just-in-time vs. batch processing within the lab.

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Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic

Suren opens the Forbes article by comparing what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic to what needs to happen for increased EHR and lab information system connectivity.

He explains that COVID-19 created an enormous challenge for the healthcare system, and he points to diagnostic testing labs as proof of what's possible when everyone works toward a shared goal. 

In response to the crisis, these labs rapidly transformed long-standing clinical laboratory management workflows, adapting almost overnight to handle unprecedented testing volumes and help protect patients as the nation fought to contain the virus.

"It should be noted that the healthcare transformation that resulted from COVID-19 wasn't an outlier. Rapid change is quite common in an industry where internal and external pressures often expedite the development of new technologies to solve problems and deliver better patient outcomes." 

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

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Breaking Down the Basics of Data Exchange

Suren then defines data exchange in healthcare as the electronic sharing of patient information between systems and facilities such as laboratories, hospitals, and clinics. He also outlines the distinct roles of EHR and laboratory information systems within the healthcare ecosystem, emphasizing that seamless integration between the two is essential for advancing laboratory medicine, particularly in supporting precision medicine and personalized care.

"Once this convergence of health informatics is achieved, the fast and accurate exchange of patient data and improved care outcomes is possible." 

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

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Overcoming Data Exchange Difficulties

Why Seamless Integration Is Not Automatic

Suren emphasizes that the seamless exchange of patient information is neither automatic nor guaranteed. He notes that electronic health records and laboratory information systems are often built by different lab vendors, each using distinct data formats and coding standards. 

While addressing these interoperability challenges is far less daunting than confronting a global pandemic, Suren points out that both require collaboration, coordination, and a shared commitment to improving healthcare.

"First off, seamless data exchange only became a reality recently, thanks to the early adoption of newly available EHR and lab information system technology. Secondly, the pressure throughout the industry to increase efficiency to match growing caseloads has also contributed, causing a change in behavior out of necessity." 

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

Discover More: LigoLab Delivers the LIS System Interoperability Needed to Transform Medical Laboratories into Thriving Businesses

The Advantages of Data Convergence Are Many

Real-Time Data Sharing, Smarter Workflows, Better Outcomes

Suren emphasizes that efficiency has become a strategic imperative in healthcare as organizations work to improve patient outcomes while navigating rising costs, declining reimbursements, and persistent workforce shortages. 

He explains that effectively integrating healthcare informatics platforms, such as electronic health records and laboratory information systems, can help relieve these pressures. This convergence enables real-time data sharing, smoother workflows, improved accuracy, more complete patient records, stronger patient engagement, and ultimately, more cost-effective care supported by richer clinical insights.

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What Can Lab Leaders Do to Make the Promise of Seamless Data Exchange a Reality? 

Build Consensus and Champion Open Data Standards

So how can today's healthcare leaders maintain momentum and drive broader adoption of seamless EHR and LIS system connectivity?

Suren recommends beginning with stakeholder alignment, ensuring everyone understands the value of interoperability. He also emphasizes broad support for open data standards such as Health Level Seven (HL7) and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), which provide the foundation for seamless system-to-system integration. 

"I believe universal adoption is within reach and that we'll get there collectively by sharing success stories among providers. This industry is challenging and ultra-competitive, so when healthcare decision-makers see a peer moving forward with pathology software technology, they are likely to follow suit." 

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

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Check Out These Other Forbes Articles

Suren Avunjian is a respected industry leader and member of the Forbes Business Council. Drawing on his background as a laboratory chief technology officer and two decades of experience leading an enterprise laboratory information system software company, he brings both technical expertise and business insight to his writing. 

Through his articles, he breaks down complex topics into clear, engaging, and actionable thought-leadership pieces centered on LigoLab's all-in-one medical LIS and laboratory billing platform.

Discover More: A Closer Look at LigoLab’s Commitment to Innovation

Explore more insights as he shares practical strategies and forward-thinking perspectives on how labs can harness innovation, data integration, and automation to improve efficiency, strengthen financial performance, and advance patient care.

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About the Author

Suren Avunjian is the Chief Executive Officer of LigoLab, a leading provider of laboratory information system (LIS) software and integrated diagnostic informatics solutions for clinical laboratories and pathology groups. 

He oversees the company's growth and operations, guiding a talented team dedicated to innovation and excellence. As the driving force behind LigoLab's strategic vision, Avunjian is committed to building the most comprehensive and highly configurable medical LIS software platform in the industry, backed by unmatched customer support and a service model that goes far beyond what traditional vendors provide.

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Learn how Suren's Vision is Transforming the Future of Laboratory Operations

Discover how LigoLab's powerful, fully integrated LIS medical platform can help your lab streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and achieve lasting growth.

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Frequently Asked Questions About EHR and LIS System Interoperability

What is EHR and LIS system interoperability, and why does it matter?

Interoperability is the seamless and secure exchange of patient data between electronic health records (EHRs) and laboratory information systems (LIS software). When these systems communicate effectively, laboratories and healthcare providers gain real-time access to complete, accurate patient information, enabling more informed clinical decisions, streamlined workflows, improved care coordination, and better patient outcomes. 

Why is seamless data exchange between EHR and LIS systems difficult to achieve?

Electronic health records and laboratory information systems are often developed by different lab vendors using distinct data formats and coding standards. This creates compatibility gaps that require deliberate technical and organizational effort to close. Historically, the lack of shared standards and the siloed nature of healthcare IT systems have been the primary barriers to true interoperability.

What role did the COVID-19 pandemic play in advancing lab data exchange?

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation across the healthcare industry. Diagnostic testing labs were forced to rapidly adapt their clinical laboratory management workflows to handle unprecedented testing volumes, demonstrating that large-scale change is achievable when there is shared urgency and collective commitment. Suren Avunjian uses this as a model for what the industry can accomplish when it unifies around interoperability goals.

What are HL7 and FHIR, and why are they important for LIS system integration?

HL7 (Health Level Seven) and FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) are open data standards designed to enable consistent, structured communication between healthcare software systems. Suren Avunjian advocates unified provider support for these standards as the foundation for reliable EHR and LIS system integration across the healthcare ecosystem.

What are the key benefits of EHR and LIS system data convergence?

When EHR and LIS systems are fully integrated, healthcare organizations can expect real-time data sharing, smoother and more automated workflows, improved diagnostic accuracy, more complete patient records, stronger patient engagement, and ultimately lower operational costs. These advantages are especially significant given the pressures labs face from rising costs, shrinking reimbursements, and staffing shortages.

What can lab leaders do to advance EHR and LIS system interoperability at their organizations?

Suren recommends starting by building internal consensus around the value of interoperability, clearly communicating the benefits to all stakeholders. From there, lab leaders should advocate for and adopt open data standards (such as HL7 and FHIR), and share success stories with peers to create broader industry momentum. Choosing a laboratory information system vendor with a proven, built-in interface engine is also a critical step.

How does LigoLab support EHR and LIS system interoperability?

LigoLab's all-in-one medical LIS and lab billing platform includes a proprietary interface engine built for maximum interoperability with EHRs, instruments, and third-party services. The platform is designed to ensure that data flows seamlessly across all connected systems, eliminating silos and enabling real-time information exchange that supports both operational efficiency and quality patient care.

Who is Suren Avunjian, and why is he writing about LIS interoperability?

Suren Avunjian is the CEO of LigoLab and a member of the Forbes Business Council. With a background as a laboratory chief technology officer and more than two decades of experience building enterprise laboratory information system software, he is one of the industry's most recognized voices on topics ranging from lab data integration to operational innovation and financial performance.