Medical LIS Systems and LIS in Healthcare

The healthcare industry engages with a vast amount of patient data and managing this data effectively is crucial in developing clinical insights and improving patient outcomes.

Pathology lab software known as a laboratory information system (LIS abbreviation medical) is key in this regard as it’s designed to process and manage daily activities (laboratory workflow) of anatomic pathology groups (pathology LIS systems) and clinical laboratories (medical LIS), and in particular, the organization and storage of important patient and specimen data.

What is LIS in Healthcare?

You might say that a modern LIS laboratory information system software is the equivalent of healthcare’s nervous system. It’s a pathology lab management system solution that efficiently supports all laboratory workflow management such as facilitating orders from various departments, sample tracking and diagnostic testing, and the generation of lab reports. The best LIS systems also support laboratory revenue cycle management (lab RCM; laboratory billing). 

Laboratory information systems are a vital part of modern healthcare. They ensure fast turnaround times and the elimination of human error (for example, as a result of mislabeled samples), thus enabling efficient laboratory workflow management and greater patient safety. 

Similarly, electronic health records (EHRs) are essential for hospitals and healthcare providers because when integrated with LIS systems, they make it easier and faster for providers to track patient clinical data, lab work, and other information across multiple locations.

Inside Pathology LIS Systems

Think of pathology LIS systems (medical LIS) as automated lab data management systems with pathology reporting software that processes laboratory test results and produces lab reports. The physician reviews the results and interprets the tests to obtain a definitive diagnosis and plan a course of treatment. Lab personnel (LIS staffing) track orders, produce requested lab reports, access historical results for patients, and generate statistical reports.

Lab information systems (LIS pathology, LIS medical, LIS molecular) have become the cornerstone of every modern lab. An effective LIS lab solution reduces diagnostic errors and enhances decision-making processes due to fast turnaround times, automation of repetitive tasks, and elimination of paper-based processes. All are keys to helping physicians devise mistake-free treatment measures without delays.

A modern medical laboratory information system (there are significant differences between what a legacy LIS system from years ago can do vs. a modern LIS software with advanced capabilities) can also help mitigate compliance risk by collecting and storing accurate, precise, and complete results as part of a comprehensive audit trail. 

Learn More: Comparing LigoLab Informatics Platform with Legacy Laboratory Information System Software

The laboratory information system may also work in tandem with a hospital information system (HIS), a software program used by lab technicians, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in hospitals.

LIS in Healthcare: What are the Benefits?

Pathology lab software/LIS software has been at the forefront of the technological revolution for medical laboratories.  The industry has come a long way since the days of mostly manual laboratory information system functions. Even today’s legacy LIS software pales in functionality and interoperability compared with modern LIS software systems. 

Lab technicians rely on LIS systems to coordinate inpatient and outpatient medical testing. These tests include but are not limited to immunology, chemistry, microbiology, and hematology. Whenever a patient visits a healthcare facility, a well-designed LIS system securely tracks, manages, and stores their data from order entry, to sample processing, to testing and lab reporting. 

Top labs use LIS software in healthcare to do the following:

• Automate laboratory workflow management 
• Integrate data from other laboratory software systems
• Support laboratory equipment and supplies management
• Create reports by analyzing generated data 
• Facilitate on-demand access to these reports for physicians
• Allow easier access to patient data
• Ensure reliable sample tracking and lab results
• Improve efficiency for laboratory billing processes
• Provide better communication between hospitals and laboratories

How to Use Laboratory Information Systems in Medical Settings

Laboratory information system software helps lab operators collect and organize data. The LIS software collects data from medical systems such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, CT scans, and laboratory instruments/analyzers.

Hospitals and clinics appreciate the role of the LIS in healthcare because it efficiently manages the testing process while ensuring that every step complies with regulatory requirements.

The LIS system ensures data goes directly to the patient information database. Sometimes the information is held on an onsite server, and advanced LIS systems can also facilitate stored Cloud data. Either way, users can extract this information from the patient information database and display it in charts or as individual results.

Clinical Information applications access data from the patient information database and the LIS system presents this information to users as individual results or charts.

Independent Laboratories and LIS in Healthcare

Consider using advanced laboratory information system software if you run an independent laboratory with a significant testing volume. Your customers and your patients will appreciate how effective your lab is and the speed and efficiency of your clinical workflows. You will have the patients' data (history) if they used your services in the past, and you will find it easier to run tests.

In anatomic pathology and clinical laboratories, the laboratory information system helps information flow as required while generating results that aid in patient care. The process includes:

• The pre-analytical phase
• The analytical phase
• The post-analytical phase

Pre-analytical Phase

The LIS system/pathology software facilitates test ordering, specimen collection, and processing in the pre-analytical phase. 

Analytical Phase 

This stage involves routing specimens to the appropriate analyzers for data processing and results generation, facilitated by the LIS system.

Post-analytical Phase

The post-analytic phase involves test result transmission, generation of reports, critical value identification, and documentation.

LigoLab's Laboratory Information System Software Solution

The healthcare sector is growing as all parties focus on the number one goal, providing better services to their patients. As a result, hospitals and clinics are demanding more sophisticated tools to help them manage their processes. That's where an advanced laboratory information system comes in. The LIS system helps labs support these hospitals and clinics by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving patient care. 

We understand medical laboratories are an essential part of the healthcare industry. For this reason, laboratory directors and managers need to be able to use advanced LIS software technology to analyze samples and to provide critical information to doctors and other medical professionals.

Managing all this information requires a complete understanding of laboratory workflow management. At LigoLab, we proudly offer extensive lab information system training for lab technicians, managers, and other medical personnel so they can effectively use our medical LIS software.

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

Key Takeaway

A laboratory information system is an essential laboratory software system that keeps the daily work of a laboratory running with speed and efficiency and with a significantly reduced risk of human error. Modern medical labs and healthcare centers have embraced LIS software technology, and we are here to help them successfully transition into a comprehensive, highly configurable, and highly integrated LIS system.

Learn More: How to Set Up a Committee to Select a Laboratory Information System

LigoLab's all-in-one laboratory information system software platform offers customizable modules for anatomic pathology (pathology LIS systems), clinical laboratory (LIS medical), molecular diagnostics (LIS molecular), lab revenue cycle management (lab RCM), and direct-to-consumer lab testing (TestDirectly and TestDirectly.com). To learn more about our pathology lab software and how it can help your lab achieve its operational and financial goals, click here to schedule a software demonstration.

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