Blog
Remembering COVID: How to Align Your Laboratory With Businesses as They Return to Work
March 26, 2025
Editor’s Note: On May 11, 2023, the World Health Organization officially declared the end of the global COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. While much of the general public has moved on, healthcare professionals - particularly those working with medical LIS/laboratory information systems (LIS systems) and pathology lab management - must continue to reflect on hard-earned lessons and stay vigilant for future infectious disease threats.
Learn More: End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration
At LigoLab, supporting our laboratory partners throughout the pandemic remained our top priority. We met their evolving needs with innovative LIS software solutions designed to overcome unprecedented challenges. Together, we streamlined lab workflows, enhanced safety for patients and providers, and built resilience during one of the most demanding periods in modern healthcare.
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey was witnessing the determination and adaptability of our partners on the front lines. As we honor their commitment, let’s revisit a moment from July 2020 - reflecting on the lasting impact of COVID-19 and the future of lab information system technology.
Enabling a Safe Return to Work: How LigoLab’s TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal Connects Employers and Labs
To support a safe and healthy return to the workplace, employers must adopt a proactive COVID-19 testing strategy that includes rapid, routine screening and seamless communication of test results.
At LigoLab, we’re uniquely equipped to help with this effort. We've developed a powerful direct-to-consumer lab testing tool that extends the capabilities of the LigoLab LIS & RCM Informatics Platform, creating a direct, secure connection between employers and laboratories for fast, reliable COVID-19 testing.
Introducing TestDirectly (TestDirectly.com) - a diagnostic lab software that enables clinical laboratories to become direct-to-consumer labs and then easily partner with businesses implementing testing protocols.
TestDirectly offers a simple, scalable solution that helps organizations protect their workforce and prevent workplace outbreaks.
Learn More: Introducing TestDirectly, One of LigoLab’s Most Powerful Supporting Modules
TestDirectly + LigoLab: A Seamless, End-to-End COVID-19 Testing Solution for Employers and Labs
So how does it work?
The TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal integrates with LigoLab’s all-in-one medical LIS software and laboratory billing platform to provide end-to-end coverage for a touchless testing workflow from self-registration, to report delivery, to follow-up, with reliable results delivered directly to the patient and the employer within 48 hours of specimen collection.
The web-based portal is accessible from anywhere at any time with a computer or mobile devices, and it supports drive-through and on-site/dispatched specimen collections (and soon it will support at-home collections with telemedicine support, too).
TestDirectly is an innovative and user-friendly new pathology software tool that manages the entire testing workflow digitally, relieving labs of that mostly manual burden so they can concentrate on rapid processing and reporting.
TestDirectly has the capacity to support all employers, from large corporations to small businesses. It reduces manual processes and eliminates friction and barriers that cause testing delays. It puts businesses in control of their testing populations while connecting them with laboratories that are committed to providing timely results.
Learn More: Highlighting the Versatility of the TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal
LigoLab and TestDirectly Power Statewide COVID-19 Testing Initiative, Protecting Florida’s Seniors and Setting a National Model
One powerful example of TestDirectly’s effectiveness is the partnership between TestDirectly, Northwest Laboratory (now Avero Diagnostics), and the Florida Department of Health (read full case study below).
Their joint initiative aimed to test 500,000 long-term care (LTC) residents and staff across Florida in response to a federal call to action. Within a week, TestDirectly’s direct-to-consumer lab testing portal was operational, enabling fast, contactless testing through self-registration, barcode tracking, and automated reporting.
TestDirectly integrated seamlessly with LigoLab’s medical LIS & lab revenue cycle management platform, supporting 10,000 daily COVID-19 tests with TestDirectly results time measured within 2–3 days. The platform eliminated manual processes and enabled real-time transparency, allowing state officials to quickly respond to positive cases and begin contact tracing. Thanks to this technology, over 150,000 tests were completed in just two weeks and leaders at Florida Health praised the responsiveness and reliability of LigoLab and TestDirectly.
This partnership not only protected Florida’s senior population but also demonstrated the power of medical LIS lab pathology software innovation in public health response - setting a model that has since expanded to other states like Illinois, Colorado, and Washington.
Read Full Case Study: Florida Turns to TestDirectly and Northwest Laboratory to Protect its Seniors from COVID-19
LigoLab: Powering the Future of Laboratory Operations with Integrated Medical LIS & Lab RCM Solutions
LigoLab is a leading healthcare technology company that delivers fully integrated pathology lab software solutions, purpose-built to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance revenue management for medical laboratories.
Since its founding in 2006, LigoLab has redefined lab informatics with a powerful all-in-one platform that unites laboratory information system (LIS) and lab revenue cycle management (lab RCM) functionality into a single, cohesive pathology software solution.
Learn More: Operational Excellence - It’s Possible When Using the Right Pathology Software
This seamless integration eliminates the need for multiple laboratory software systems, reducing complexity while increasing accuracy, speed, and profitability across the entire lab workflow.
The LigoLab platform manages every stage of the laboratory process - from order entry and specimen tracking to results reporting, compliance, and lab billing. Its intelligent automation, customizable workflows, and built-in regulatory tools help labs reduce errors, improve turnaround times, and maintain full compliance with industry standards.
Designed for scalability and adaptability, LigoLab supports clinical, reference, molecular, and anatomic pathology labs of all sizes. With advanced data analytics and real-time business intelligence, labs gain actionable insights to drive smarter decision-making and sustainable growth.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, LigoLab is recognized for its exceptional customer support and relentless product innovation, making it a trusted partner for laboratories committed to delivering high-quality patient care and operational excellence.
Ready for the next step?
Request a LigoLab LIS software demonstration and see how this powerful and comprehensive informatics platform connects laboratories with employers and patients, streamlines workflows, and speeds up turnaround time.
