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LIS Systems - Learn the Basics and Find Out How the Best Laboratory Information Systems Efficiently Remove Barriers and Maximize Growth
November 13, 2024
In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, laboratory information systems (LIS systems, medical LIS) have become essential tools for improving laboratory workflow management, efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes.
What is a LIS Laboratory Information System?
A LIS laboratory information system is a pathology lab management system (pathology lab reporting software) that has become a common part of the data infrastructure of advanced healthcare systems, busy laboratories, and hospitals.
LIS software is an essential pathology management software that simplifies various lab workflow processes, such as:
- Recording, updating, and storing patient-related information
- Sample tracking management
- Report management (generation and distribution)
LigoLab offers enterprise-grade laboratory information system software. The fast-growing and agile LIS company is best known for its all-in-one LIS medical and laboratory revenue cycle management (lab RCM) solution, the LigoLab LIS & RCM Laboratory Informatics Platform.
Learn More: The Benefits of a Modern Pathology Lab Management System
The LigoLab platform offers a single, embedded suite of laboratory information system functions designed to improve laboratory processes (clinical laboratory workflow management, lab billing, and direct-to-consumer lab testing with TestDirectly) for anatomic pathology groups and clinical laboratories specializing in:
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Serology
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Genomics
Why is Laboratory Information System Software so Important?
Every modern anatomic and clinical pathology lab aims to become more efficient and productive. However, such goals are often hindered by outdated, non-integrated LIS systems and the legacy laboratory information system companies that produce them.
Far too often, lab technicians are forced to work with rigid and closed pathology LIS systems that fail to meet the needs of rapidly evolving laboratory environments. These medical LIS systems can’t adapt to changing times, causing user frustration with inadequate performance and reliability.
Learn More: What You Need to Know Before Contracting with a Laboratory Information System (LIS) Company
With the integration of advanced LIS medical solutions and modern laboratory information system vendors, it's now possible to leverage all-in-one pathology lab software and in-house laboratory billing solutions to streamline interdependent laboratory workflow management.
This new generation of LIS software vendors offers solutions that enhance clinical laboratory workflow management while fully supporting the laboratory billing process (with in-house billing software for labs) and regulatory compliance.
By adopting this cutting-edge laboratory information system software with its advanced medical LIS and laboratory revenue cycle management features, labs can remove barriers, improve efficiency, and position themselves for growth in an ever-evolving and challenging market.
On-Demand Webinar: Leverage LIS System Rules, Automation, and Data Analytics to Increase Efficiency and Cut Costs
LIMS vs. LIS: What’s the Difference Between These Two Pathology Management Software Systems?
A laboratory information management system (LIMS full form, lab LIMS) is diagnostic lab software designed for research environments and other non-clinical laboratory settings such as environmental, chemical, and food and beverage. The best LIMS laboratory information management system software helps handle the large and complex data generated by large-scale industries to make maintenance, operations, and product development decisions.
In contrast, a lab information system is a diagnostic lab software designed for clinical settings and patient care. The best LIS software provides a scalable and future-proof informatics platform for users that can be tailored by LIS vendors to meet the unique needs of any medical lab, regardless of size or testing discipline.
The best LIS software systems are flexible and allow for more volume and services as laboratory operations expand due to much improved operational laboratory workflow management. They also reduce labor costs and increase revenue and profit.
Here are some examples of laboratory information system functions that set the best LIS software apart from their old and outdated legacy cousins.
- Combining all departments and operations within one comprehensive laboratory information system, eliminating data silos
- Automating complex processes and reducing manual touchpoints
- Maximizing interoperability and efficiency
- Reducing human errors and lost specimens
- Generating fully customizable reports
- Offering multiple options for report delivery
- Monitoring quality control for quick identification, troubleshooting, and problem resolution
- Improving lab test turnaround times
- Accessing real-time business analytics (dashboards, stats, dynamic reports) from every department
Additionally, when modern LIS systems are paired with modern laboratory billing solutions, laboratories can initiate the laboratory billing process (RCM cycle) at order inception backed by verification, eligibility, and scrubbing components that enhance claim submissions, revenue, and accounts receivables while decreasing denials and compliance risk.
Learn More: Why Integrated LIS System and Lab RCM Software is a Catalyst for Growth
Do All Laboratory Information System Vendors Have the Same Standards for Updates, Support, and Maintenance?
Leveraging modern LIS pathology systems (anatomical pathology software and diagnostic lab software that supports clinical lab workflow) is critical for laboratory operations. However, not every LIS company provides the same standard for LIS system software updates, support, and maintenance.
For example, with LigoLab’s LIS system software model, laboratories have full control over when an update occurs and benefit from the ongoing and rapid development of new enhancements and features. LigoLab provides customers with a stable and supported version of the informatics platform in the Production Environment, plus offers two additional LIS lab environments for testing and validation purposes.
New features are developed and rolled out to all LigoLab customers in the Test Environment, where users can familiarize themselves with the laboratory information system’s latest capabilities. Customers can then train, test, and validate updates on their schedule before they are pushed to the Production Environment.
LigoLab releases new features annually in four laboratory information system software versions, all while supporting all previous lab information system versions deployed to customer Production Environments.
Each LIS system software update undergoes strict validation and regression testing before release.
Maximizing Efficiency: The Benefits of Implementing Modern Pathology LIS Systems
Medical labs can streamline processes, enhance accuracy, improve patient outcomes, and more by upgrading to a modern pathology information system like the LigoLab platform.
Let’s walk through how implementing a state-of-the-art lab information system can maximize efficiency and take your lab to the next level.
Learn More: Keys to Keeping Your LIS System Implementation on Track
What Role Do Laboratory Information System Companies Play in Improving Clinical Laboratory Workflow Management?
Laboratory information systems like the LigoLab LIS & RCM Laboratory Informatics Platform expertly handle a laboratory's data needs by seamlessly connecting and integrating all departments and lab processes (including the often complicated laboratory billing process) into one unified LIS system software infrastructure and shared database.
This approach eliminates data silos and ensures clinical data integrity throughout every department, enabling labs to work more efficiently, stand out in the market, expand their operations, and enhance profitability.
LigoLab was created to have one single and reliable source of truth for all laboratory data. As a result, the LIS company has engineered an integrated suite of LIS software applications that support various aspects of pathology lab management, such as the following.
- Patient Engagement (TestDirectly and TestDirectly.com)
- Laboratory Billing
- Sample Tracking
- Case and Test Processing
- Reporting and Distribution
- Rules and Automation
- Outreach Solutions
- Document Management
- Digital Pathology Workflow
- CRM
- And More
This all-inclusive laboratory information system software platform also tackles laboratory interoperability issues by including a standard interface engine that optimizes connectivity with instruments, EHRs, and third parties.
By utilizing LigoLab's lab information system solutions, lab partners can accomplish more with fewer resources, ensuring transparency in their operations and maintaining tighter control over their businesses while growing rapidly and boosting their profitability.
How Do Modern Laboratory Information Systems Outperform Traditional LIS Software Solutions?
Legacy LIS system software often struggles to provide the flexibility, automation, and interoperability required to fully support lab operations, enhance patient outcomes, expand lab testing services, and boost collections for individual laboratories.
Common LIS lab challenges that hinder growth include:
- Reliability and performance issues
- Limited functionality (insufficient modules and features)
- Scalability constraints (inability to cope with increasing demand)
- Configuration complexity (reliance on external LIS company support)
- Legacy report formats and delivery options that fail to meet customer needs
- Inefficient lab workflows and time-consuming manual processes
- A lab sample management system that lacks a robust chain of custody, unique barcode identification, and verification and security checkpoints
- Difficulty accessing data on processes, bottlenecks, and compliance
- Intradepartmental and external interoperability needs (EMR/EHR integration, APIs, laboratory instrumentation, state registries, laboratory billing services, etc.)
LigoLab’s Lab Information System Solutions: The Future of Pathology Management Software
At LigoLab, we understand the lab challenges in today's ultra-competitive healthcare landscape.
That's why we've created our innovative pathology information system/LIS software that helps labs of all sizes and specialties streamline their operations, improve patient outcomes, and achieve their goals.
Upgrade and Enhance Critical Areas with a Modern Lab Information System
With LigoLab’s informatics platform, you get a lab information system that can enhance all departmental processes at every stage, from accessioning and laboratory workflow management to sample tracking, reporting, and collections.
The platform supports and streamlines all laboratory workflow and processes, making it a reliable and efficient LIS lab solution for modern organizations.
Lab Revenue Cycle Management with Real-Time Order Validation
LigoLab's medical LIS system empowers laboratories to ensure a smooth and productive lab billing workflow right from order entry. The platform’s medical LIS and lab RCM modules share a common database and diagnostic lab software infrastructure that supports data verification and scrubbing components, real-time patient and payer data verification, coverage lookup, and eligibility, all seamlessly integrated into a live queue-facilitated lab workflow.
With LigoLab, you get the following lab RCM features for an efficient laboratory billing process:
- Demographic check, address validation, insurance discovery, and eligibility verification at order inception
- Bidirectional synchronization with third-party services (mailing companies, clearinghouses, NPI Registry, payment processors, etc.)
- Automated ICD and CPT coding and TC/PC splitting
- Real-time data processing lab workflow queues for heightened visibility
- Detailed statistical reports to monitor trends and KPIs
Additionally, LigoLab supports the management of client contracts by providing extensive functionality, customization, and automation for client lab billing, including options like unlimited fee schedules, discounting, special pricing, capitation, incremental pricing, and automatic travel and transportation pricing.
Thanks to its comprehensive set of RCM tools, LigoLab's billing software for labs is more efficient, transparent, and productive than standard laboratory billing solutions. These tools work together to stop claim rejections and denials and ensure higher lab billing accuracy.
White Paper: Maximizing Your Lab’s Profitability: The Case for In-House Lab Billing
LigoLab’s Reliable and Accurate Pathology Specimen Tracking System
Error-free sample tracking management is vital for all medical laboratories and should be expected from the best LIS software.
The LigoLab platform assigns each specimen a unique identifier, ensuring the chain of custody and security while virtually eliminating lost or misplaced orders by supporting the following laboratory information system functions:
- Integration with all barcode printing and etching hardware
- Automatic generation of a unique identifier for every specimen and document
- Full traceability of specimens with an awareness of the next step in the lab workflow
- Users can track both beginning and end times for laboratory instrumentation processing
- Automatic detection of duplicate patient profiles at order entry
LigoLab's Highly Customizable Pathology Lab Software
LigoLab’s laboratory report software solution offers customizable, intelligent lab reports backed by high-performance reporting and distribution engines that support rule-based formatting and uniform presentation.
With the report generation engine, users can customize reports with rich-text capabilities (format, size, colors, highlights, tables, bullet points, etc.), images, diagrams, annotation, macros, conditional rules, dictation to text, CAP cancer protocol templates, and automated distribution based on the customer's preference.
Delivery options include a provider portal, outreach software, EMR/EHR, fax, secure email, in-house printing, PDF drops, APIs, IVR, SMS, and remote print server.
LigoLab’s laboratory report software also features:
- Standardized report structure based on industry trends
- Custom template format for client satisfaction and co-branding
- Integrated reports for time-saving efficiency
- Cumulative reports for patient safety and continuity
- Automated distribution based on customer preferences
Learn More: How LigoLab's Pathology Lab Software Supports Lab Report Customization and Client Preferences
Access Your Lab Reports Anytime and Anywhere with LigoLab Connect
LigoLab Connect is a provider portal that enables medical practitioners and laboratory specialists to interact with the laboratory remotely by providing 24/7 access. Clients can search reports, retrieve cumulative charts, fax, and gain access to all patient-related scanned documents by utilizing this innovative LIS system outreach solution.
LigoLab Connect features include:
- Free and easy installation with unlimited licensing for downloads
- Secure internet application that serves as an extension of the laboratory
- No need for third-party outreach or middleware pathology software
- Custom branding with company logos
- Self-service tools for inventory management and access to scanned documents to reduce customer service calls
Another new option for laboratory outreach is LigoLab Web Connect, a web-based application of LigoLab Connect that offers the same instant access to the LigoLab platform from anywhere at any time minus a pathology software installation requirement.
Learn More: LigoLab’s Provider Portal Facilitates Faster Order Processing and Improved Turnaround Times
TestDirectly: Empowering Labs and Patients with Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
The TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing web portal improves lab testing capacity and reduces turnaround times by creating an electronic clinical lab workflow that directly connects with patients for specimen collection, lab testing, and reporting.
Patients who utilize TestDirectly.com can schedule collection appointments, register themselves, and receive automated result notifications of consumer lab reports via email and/or SMS.
Other key features of the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal include:
- Integration with all LIS system and lab RCM systems to enhance pathology lab management and reporting
- Increased accessibility to direct-to-consumer lab testing that opens new revenue streams
- Live insurance discovery and eligibility checks
- Specimen barcoding and sample tracking management support
- Report delivery options via email, SMS, portal, or interface
- Real-time results and analytics for patients, providers, employers, and public health
- Support for all direct-to-consumer lab testing collection workflows, such as drive-through, walk-up, concierge, organizational, travel, pooled, and at-home test kit
Learn More: Highlighting the Versatility of the TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal
Future-Proof Your Lab: The Best LIS Software Maximizes Interoperability
LigoLab’s lab information system features an open architecture and a best-in-class interface engine functioning with maximum interoperability, enabling the LIS software to connect with the following laboratory software systems:
- A vast majority of analyzers (over 600 different instrument types)
- All EMRs and EHRs
- Third-party services
This includes internal networking plus connections with external networks of other healthcare organizations, such as laboratory billing services, the Tumor Registry, and state reporting agencies.
LigoLab’s proprietary interface engine supports all standard interchange protocols, including:
- API
- FHIR
- HL7
- X12
- XML
- Flat File
- ASTM
- CSV
- And More
Automate Complex Processes and Reduce the Need for Human Intervention with Modern LIS Laboratory Information System Software
LigoLab's rule engine allows users to automate complex and inefficient laboratory workflow management processes without custom scripts. The automation engine is integrated into the suite of LIS software applications and triggers actions when certain logical conditions are met, drastically reducing the need for human intervention.
The rule engine is:
- An agile LIS lab application that automates laboratory processes for optimal efficiency
- Synched with real-time lab workflow queues for heightened clinical data visibility
- Flexibly designed for conditional automation
- Engineered for multi-layered lab workflow management control
Regulatory Compliance and Audits Made Easy
To ensure that your laboratory operates within the guidelines of regulatory bodies such as CAP, CLIA, HIPAA, and others, LigoLab offers specialized tools that minimize compliance risks, reduce audit risk, and prevent revenue loss, including:
- Compliance-conscious lab workflow and reports
- Ad hoc data query capabilities
- Support for all established regulatory protocols
- Compliance verification at every stage
Protect Your Lab and Patient Data with LigoLab's Advanced Security Features
LigoLab offers advanced security and privacy features that protect the laboratory and the patient’s data.
This includes:
- Automatic log-off for user inactivity
- A robust and searchable audit trail that logs every activity
- User permission and visibility control
Learn More: LigoLab’s Enhanced Cybersecurity Solutions Give Customers Added Protection and Peace-of-Mind
Invest in Your Lab's Future: Pathology Lab Software with a Proven ROI
“The end-to-end efficiency created by LigoLab Informatics Platform is why lab directors and managers choose a LIS system like ours. Many of our lab partners migrated from homegrown or legacy LIS systems that lacked functionality, reliability, and scalability.”
- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO
Avunjian said it’s common for lab directors and managers to resist switching lab information system solutions because of fear.
“These lab directors and managers are being held hostage by their current laboratory information system vendors because they haven’t seen a return on their initial investment. This leaves lab management stuck and forced to make the best out of a bad situation that will only worsen.”
So, how can lab leaders guarantee a healthy return on their investment with LigoLab's LIS laboratory information system solution?
“Our laboratory information system software drives lab workflow supported by automation and rules that help the lab organization become super-efficient and virtually mistake-free. The LigoLab platform removes the bottlenecks and barriers that prevent scalability. When we survey our clients, we regularly hear how they’ve increased lab productivity measured by samples processed per FTE staff by two-and-a-half times simply by deploying our lab information system software.”
Avunjian noted that ROI can be difficult to measure, but the fact that the platform enables labs to scale without adding FTEs is a good place to start.
“As soon as our lab information system is deployed, labs can take on more business with the same amount of personnel because they are no longer limited by an old and antiquated LIS system. With LigoLab, they can break that artificial ceiling holding them back as an organization.”
For Avunjian and his team, it’s no surprise that the fastest-growing labs in the country are using LigoLab's game-changing LIS laboratory information system platform.
“They’ve abandoned their old restrictive LIS systems and the legacy laboratory information system companies they were working with and replaced them with a comprehensive and infinitely configurable LIS system platform supported with unlimited and unmatched customer service.”
White Paper: Comparing LigoLab Informatics Platform with Legacy Laboratory Information System Software
Achieving a Seamless Laboratory Information System Environment: LigoLab's Four-Phase Implementation Process
LigoLab's track record speaks for itself: a 100 percent success rate for LIS laboratory information system implementations. Credit the LIS company for meticulously following a four-phase installation plan that draws on nearly two decades of expertise and hundreds of successful go-lives.
Here are the four phases of LigoLab's LIS laboratory information system implementation plan:
Discovery: In-depth domain analysis that evaluates all laboratory workflows, tools, and instruments. LigoLab's team maps out the lab's operation from top to bottom, identifies key areas that need improvement, and develops an implementation plan.
Configuration: LigoLab's implementation team configures the baseline settings of master files, historical data imports, and interface builds, based on the plan developed after the Discovery phase.
Testing and Validation: The laboratory begins processing live cases in parallel, and any workflow gaps are discovered and addressed. LigoLab's team ensures the laboratory information system is smoothly aligned with the lab's requirements.
Go-Live: After testing and validating the new laboratory information system software is ready for live cases. LigoLab's team works closely with lab personnel to resolve any issues that arise and make adjustments as needed, while also providing unparalleled customer support.
Learn More: LigoLab’s Approach to LIS System Support & Implementation
LigoLab: Laboratory Information System Vendors with a History of Lab Growth and Success
At LigoLab, we're passionate about helping clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology groups reach their full potential. Our comprehensive and agile LIS laboratory information system software is designed to empower labs of all sizes and specialties to thrive in today's competitive healthcare landscape.
Our commitment to excellence starts with our name, which comes from the Latin word "Ligo," meaning to unite or connect. We believe that by connecting our lab partners with our powerful silo-free laboratory information system solutions, we can help them achieve their goals and directly impact the patients they serve.
Our informatics platform is built for scalability and ease of use, with features and enhancements added daily to ensure that labs have the tools they need to succeed. Our commitment to data security means that labs can trust us to protect their sensitive information, while our LIS software automation and laboratory workflow management tools help them work more efficiently than ever before.
Whether you're a clinical, anatomic, or molecular lab, our pathology reporting software solutions are designed to streamline your operations, increase productivity, and position you for success in a rapidly evolving industry.
LigoLab is a privately owned LIS company that’s headquartered in Los Angeles. Since 2006, our mission has been to develop dynamic and diverse end-to-end medical LIS software and laboratory billing solutions for laboratories, helping them expand services and add revenue sources as they grow and thrive.
At LigoLab, we have a well-earned reputation for providing laboratory information system solutions that help our lab partners grow and thrive. Let our all-in-one LIS system unite your lab with the tools to achieve your goals and transform your business.
Learn More: A Closer Look at LigoLab’s Commitment to Innovation
