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A Scalable Solution for Molecular LIS Testing Labs
October 9, 2024
As the molecular laboratory ecosystem evolves, so too must the laboratory information systems (LIS systems, LIS software) that support them.
Traditional pathology report software solutions are now obsolete, and modern pathology LIS systems like LigoLab Informatics Platform with fully integrated lab information system and lab billing modules are designed to help labs navigate the ever-changing lab environment with agility and ease.
Learn More: The Benefits of a Modern Pathology Lab Management System
The Changing Landscape of Molecular Lab Testing Software
Molecular lab testing software is experiencing significant changes in various aspects, including:
- Clinical laboratory workflow
- Service delivery
- Reporting structures
- Lab instrumentation
- Reimbursement procedures
- Third-party interoperability
These changes are driving the need for molecular LIS that can adapt and support the evolving needs of molecular testing labs.
The Growing Role of Molecular Lab Software in Healthcare Delivery
Molecular lab software is increasingly playing a more prominent role in overall LIS healthcare delivery. The molecular LIS has transitioned from being the workhorse hidden in hospital basements to a vital, visible component of the overall healthcare package. As a result, molecular labs now require LIS system software that offers more than just basic order capture and result delivery to keep pace.
Key features of advanced molecular LIS medical platforms for testing labs include:
- Flexibility within and beyond the lab's network
- Specimen lifecycle traceability and sample tracking and support
- Scalability and efficiency
“Molecular testing labs play a vital role in today’s precision-focused medical world. Rapid advances in biochemical genetics and molecular genetics are driving precision medicine forward, which is a big reason why we are seeing increased demands on our molecular lab partners.
We understand their unique needs and have created a LIS system software platform that is not only agile, but that also helps these labs scale their operations efficiently.”
- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO
Learn More: Automation in Pathology Labs Using Advanced LIS System Software
LigoLab Informatics Platform: Medical LIS Agility & Scalability for Molecular Testing Labs
LigoLab has developed a pathology software platform that is not only agile but also helps molecular testing labs scale their operations efficiently. The platform's molecular lab software solution effectively kept up with unprecedented demand and scaling during the COVID-19 pandemic, a true demonstration of its power and adaptability.
“The fastest growing laboratories in the U.S. during the pandemic were LigoLab molecular LIS clients. All of our molecular lab partners scaled their volumes exponentially, and some witnessed explosive growth, with volumes going up by 6,000 percent.”
- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO
Precision Medicine: Driving Growth & Opportunities with Molecular Lab Testing Software
As precision medicine continues to advance, molecular labs are taking on increasingly significant roles within the healthcare ecosystem.
With the help of advanced technology molecular lab testing software platforms and innovative laboratory information system companies like LigoLab, these important labs can adapt to manage complex diagnostic tests, support the broader diagnostics and treatment team, and leverage emerging digital technologies to offer innovative services and open up new revenue sources.
“When we say that molecular testing labs are coming out of the basement, this is what we mean. Today’s labs go well beyond traditional collection and reporting. They are now often part of the broader diagnostics and treatment team.”
- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO
Learn More: Introducing a New Revenue Source for Labs
Molecular LIS Labs: Interpreting Data-Rich Biospecimens
Molecular LIS labs are becoming vital interpreters of data-rich biospecimens, helping clinicians better understand clinical pathways and treatment options for:
- Drug selection
- Specialized therapeutics
As diagnostic tests become more complicated, these labs and their molecular LIS software are essential for helping other healthcare providers comprehend the relevance of specific results.
While some molecular lab directors and managers may be resistant to expanding their roles within the healthcare ecosystem, forward-thinking lab leaders recognize the value that clinical labs hold for advancing medicine. They are turning to LIS laboratory information system software platforms like LigoLab’s loaded suite of applications for molecular testing operations support.
LigoLab's Future-Ready Informatics Platform: Unlocking New Revenue Sources
LigoLab's platform enables opportunistic lab operators to take advantage of emerging digital technologies and the rapid growth of patient consumerism. One way labs can do this is by offering direct-to-consumer lab testing like diagnostic testing and preventative screenings to patients from the comfort of their homes while supporting:
- Online test kit ordering
- Shipping to the patient's home
- Processing and tracking specimens
- Automated delivery of test results (consumer lab reports)
- Scheduling videoconferencing consultations if needed
“TestDirectly is a direct-to-consumer lab testing module that supports any kind of direct-to-consumer lab testing and serves as a marketplace for enhanced and specialized laboratory services. The TestDirectly platform enables laboratories to become direct-to-consumer labs as they gain visibility and grow their brands while aligning with consumers and providing them with a streamlined and unified experience.”
- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO
Learn More: Highlighting the Versatility of the TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal
Avero Diagnostics and LigoLab: A Lab Information System Success Story
LigoLab's flexible and comprehensive informatics platform has helped numerous labs, including Avero Diagnostics (formerly known as Northwest Laboratory and Northwest Pathology) achieve remarkable growth and efficiency in their operations and finances.
Avero Diagnostics: Sustained Growth & Efficiency with LigoLab’s LIS Software Solutions
Avero Diagnostics has been providing pathology services for well over 25 years. Their partnership with LigoLab began nine years ago, and five years ago, they switched to LigoLab's laboratory revenue cycle management solution:
- Fully integrated medical LIS & lab RCM modules
- No more data silos
- The laboratory billing cycle (laboratory billing process) begins at order inception
Results: Just months into the partnership, Avero experienced significant gains:
- Increased efficiency
- Improved accuracy
- 35 percent increase in net collections (sustainably maintained)
Avero Diagnostics Case Study: Leveraging LIS & RCM Integration to Improve the Laboratory Billing Process
Ensuring Agility in a Changing World: LigoLab’s LIS System Software
The traditional LIS system software no longer cuts it in today’s clinical testing lab environment.
Molecular labs need a lab information system/molecular LIS that can connect across all corners of the diagnostic landscape, and that includes:
- Instrumentation
- Lab management analytics
- Robust decision support
- Effective quality controls
- Third-party interoperability with EHRs and other laboratory software systems
- Decision population health tools
A LIS system software that doesn’t have this sort of flexibility is unlikely to expand a lab’s ability to network in the healthcare community or enhance its diagnostic offerings as new options develop.
“When molecular testing laboratories shop for laboratory information systems and interact with LIS vendors, they should carefully consider whether or not the LIS model they are evaluating can provide reliable interoperability and interface with an ever-changing array of healthcare partners and other mission-critical technologies.
It’s not only about what the LIS system can do today, but it’s also about how future-ready it is. LigoLab is a pathology management software built for success both today and tomorrow.”
- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO
Learn More: Not All LIS Systems Are Created Equally
Key Features of LigoLab’s LIS Laboratory Information System
LigoLab Informatics Platform is a powerful and all-inclusive LIS software that includes all the modules a modern molecular testing laboratory needs to conduct specialized diagnostic testing with maximum efficiency.
This includes:
Unified Lab Management
The LigoLab platform unifies all lab functions within a single LIS software infrastructure and pathology lab management system, ensuring end-to-end data integrity and seamless operations.
Specimen Management & Patient Safety
An error-free lab sample management system is essential for flawless laboratory operations. LigoLab assigns a specimen-unique identifier as soon as an order is placed, ensuring an error-free sample tracking workflow.
Quality Control & Quality Assurance
LigoLab's QC module and QA compliance infrastructure enable accurate testing, precise report distribution, and closely monitored operations. The platform supports various QC methodologies, such as:
- Westgard Rules
- Biological variation methods
- Lean Six Sigma
Cost Management
Cost management is critical for molecular laboratories due to increasing regulations in reimbursement policies. LigoLab's pathology report software offers real-time monitoring and reporting tools that enable users to generate performance analytic reports, providing valuable insights for informed business decisions.
Interoperability
LigoLab features an open architecture construction with a built-in interface engine. The interface engine provides maximum interoperability, enabling the pathology lab software to seamlessly connect to a majority of analyzers, EHRs, and third-party plug-ins with ease. This includes LIS system and lab RCM internal networking as well as connections to external bodies, such as lab billing services, the Tumor Registry, state reporting agencies, and more.
The interface engine supports all standard interchange protocols, including:
- FHIR
- HL7
- XML
- X12
- CSV
- Flat File
- ASTM
- Restful API
Optimized Workflows & Business Scaling
LigoLab constantly evolves, adding new features and enhancements to its medical LIS platform on a daily basis. Through domain expertise, best LIS practices, and customer feedback analysis, LigoLab boosts lab partners by providing a pathology lab management system that automates processes, increases productivity, and positions them to scale their businesses quickly.
Learn More: The Benefits of a Modern Pathology Lab Management System
Regulatory Compliance Made Easy
Compliance without a flexible LIS software platform is challenging and labor-intensive. LigoLab offers specialized tools that reduce audit risk and revenue loss, helping users operate within the guidelines of various regulatory agencies, including:
- CAP
- CLIA
- HIPAA
Support for Consumerism
With LigoLab, medical laboratories can test directly with patients while expanding laboratory services.
The TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal makes this possible by replacing paper forms and manual processes with a simplified digital lab workflow that starts with patient self-registration and eliminates the potential for human errors, order entry bottlenecks, reporting delays, and patient and provider frustration.
The cloud-based TestDirectly portal is the key that unlocks molecular LIS functionality and direct-to-consumer lab testing capacity while improving turnaround times and enhancing the patient experience.
TestDirectly (and TestDirectly.com) supports all forms of direct-to-consumer lab testing (like sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, allergy testing, genetic screening, etc.) and all specimen collection workflows (including drive-through, walk-up, concierge, organizational, travel, pooled, and at-home).
To learn more about LigoLab’s scalable laboratory information system software solution and the LIS company overall, you’re invited to request-a-demo or a quick consult with one of our talented LIS system software specialists.
Learn More: Comparing LigoLab Informatics Platform with Legacy Laboratory Information System Software
