Not All LIS Systems Are Created Equally

All clinical laboratories and pathology practices that process north of 100 test cases per day likely already know and understand the value of a good and functional LIS laboratory information system (also known as a LIS system and pathology lab software). 

As a reminder, here’s a quick summary of the benefits of implementing LIS systems in medical laboratories.  

How Laboratory Information Systems Benefit Laboratory Workflow Management

• Centralized Data Management - The pathology lab software that makes up the LIS system helps clinical laboratories manage and analyze data by providing a centralized informatics platform for storage and retrieval. LIS software captures and stores data automatically, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual data entry. The best LIS systems organize data in a way that is easily accessible for laboratory staff, enabling them to retrieve and use it for analysis and informed decision-making quickly.

• Improved Quality Control - Advanced pathology LIS systems include quality control features that help ensure the accuracy and consistency of laboratory test results. The best LIS systems automatically flag any results that fall outside specified parameters (reference ranges), reducing the risk of errors and false test results. This helps to ensure that laboratory results are accurate and reliable, which is critical for patient care.

• Streamlined Lab Workflow - Pathology LIS systems (medical LIS) integrate all aspects of laboratory operations, including specimen processing, analysis, and test result reporting, allowing medical laboratory technologists (LIS staffing) to work more efficiently and effectively. LIS systems provide real-time data and status updates, making it easier for laboratory personnel to track the progress of tests and samples, reducing the risk of errors and delays.

• Compliance Assurance - Be it hospital LIS systems or a LIS lab model, lab vendors designed these systems to help meet healthcare regulatory requirements and standards, such as CLIA and HIPAA. LIS systems provide comprehensive reporting and audit trails, making it easier for laboratories to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards. This helps to reduce the risk of fines and other penalties associated with non-compliance.

• Better Patient Outcomes - By improving the accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results, laboratory information system software ensures that patients receive the best possible medical care. LIS system software enables physicians and other healthcare providers to make informed decisions based on accurate and up-to-date patient information, which can significantly improve patient outcomes.

The above is a good baseline of what laboratory operators should expect from their laboratory information systems and the laboratory information system companies that produce them, but this is by no means a complete list, and, as you may have guessed, not all pathology lab software/LIS systems are created equal. 

In this healthcare space, there are modern pathology LIS systems like LigoLab Informatics Platform, and legacy LIS systems that need more flexibility and functionality. 

So how does the best LIS medical system differ from its legacy counterpart? Read this blog post to find out.  

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

At LigoLab, we build dynamic and modern pathology lab software and produce laboratory information systems that offer lab operators unlimited flexibility in setup. Our laboratory information system includes thousands of configurable entities that power clinical labs and pathology groups with the ability to quickly introduce new tests, results, reports, and fields. Key laboratory workflow features include a custom scripting language, a flagging subsystem, rule and automation engines, a proprietary interface engine, and more. 

In today’s challenging laboratory environment, efficiency is critical. Without it, the laboratory will fail to reach its financial goals and be exposed to numerous external threats to the business (labor shortages, rising operational costs, and falling margins).  

Rest assured that LigoLab is a LIS company with LIS software vendors that understand implementing the best LIS system for your laboratory is mission-critical. You need to get it right the first time. That’s why we offer efficient pathology lab software and don’t stop there. We take it even further with a development team that’s second to none. What this means for you and your lab is assurance that when partnering with LigoLab as your LIS lab vendor, you’ll never have to worry about outgrowing an outdated LIS system. 

Our talented team of engineers develops 2-4 new features and enhancements for our lab customers daily, and our engineers and LIS company leadership openly accept development requests and suggestions to add to the next version of the LIS software. We routinely deploy features with a turnaround time measured in days rather than weeks. How many LIS software vendors can match that pace?

Also, when we say ‘partnership’ we mean it in the truest sense of that word. We don’t just sell you a standard laboratory information system and wish you good luck. Rather, we support and keep you informed of the latest LIS system developments, encouraging you to regularly update your pathology lab software to ensure access to the latest enhancements and laboratory information system functions. 

We have found quarterly webinars and annual user group meetings with our user base to be especially useful, and we regularly host user group conferences to unveil all the new enhancements and features that have recently been added to the pathology lab software/laboratory information system, laboratory revenue cycle management, and direct-to-consumer lab testing modules. 

In conclusion, although it’s well understood that LIS systems are an essential tool for modern laboratories that aim to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reliability, not all LIS systems are alike.

Learn More: Questions All Pathology Labs Should Ask When Evaluating LIS Software and Support

LigoLab: We Help Labs Modernize and Digitally Transform

LigoLab is a growing provider of innovative end-to-end pathology lab software for medical laboratories, servicing nearly 300 facilities nationwide. As a comprehensive enterprise-grade LIS software solution, the LigoLab LIS & RCM Laboratory Informatics Platform™ includes modules for anatomic pathology (LIS pathology), clinical laboratory (LIS medical), molecular diagnostics (molecular LIS), laboratory revenue cycle management (lab RCM/laboratory billing, and direct-to-consumer lab testing (TestDirectly and TestDirectly.com), all on one powerful and integrated informatics platform that supports every role, every department, and every case. 

LigoLab empowers laboratories to serve patients better, differentiate themselves in the marketplace, scale their operations, and become more compliant and profitable.