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Six Factors That Should Be Considered Before Upgrading Your Lab's Pathology Reporting Software
December 3, 2024
It’s often said that the laboratory report is the lab’s calling card so the performance of the pathology reporting software should be a priority for any lab leader in search of a new laboratory information system (LIS system, LIS software).
Questions related to LigoLab’s pathology lab reporting software solution come up every time we do a laboratory information system software demonstration, reflecting how fundamentally important pathology lab software like a medical LIS system is to the industry.
Because of this, we’ve compiled a list of six factors that should be considered when speaking with laboratory information system companies (LIS software vendors) about their pathology reporting software capabilities.
Learn More: Best Pathology Lab Reporting Software - 2025 Buyers Guide and Checklist
Laboratory Information System Interoperability
It doesn’t matter how good the report looks if no one can see it.
To ensure client satisfaction, choose a laboratory information system with an open architecture and a robust interface engine. Both are needed for connectivity with a wide range of electronic health record (EHR) systems and laboratory billing services used by hospitals and health systems. It should be noted that the best LIS software solutions support a variety of formats, including PDF, XML, and HL7.
What the report looks like on the receiving end is critically important so it’s necessary for reports transferred from the lab information system to the EHR to be formatted correctly.
Always ask if the lab information system engineered by the LIS company you’re evaluating supports embedded PDFs, links, and within the transferred message.
Learn More: Stability and Performance: The Two Most Important Aspects of a Modern Laboratory Operation
Laboratory Information System Flexibility
Don't spend all of the time and resources that go into implementing a new laboratory information system software without first learning how flexible that LIS system is.
Can the medical LIS deliver fully customizable report templates that look the way you want them to look, pixel-by-pixel?
Can the LIS lab solution build templates for co-branding opportunities with clients?
Can the LIS system deliver more value for clients through personalization and saved preferences?
Be sure to ask the laboratory information system vendors under evaluation if the customization of lab reports is an option. If they say yes, they will also likely be able to provide LIS software training that allows you to make changes to the templates in-house at no extra cost.
Find out if the laboratory information system in question can generate unique patient reports and then host them on a patient portal (for example: direct-to-consumer lab testing with TestDirectly and TestDirectly.com), and then send critical results to the provider via SMS, fax, etc.
Modern LIS system software supports template-driven reports including key elements like full-color rich text, diagrams, and images, all licensed and pre-loaded into the LIS system, all of which sets its pathology lab reporting software apart from other LIS systems produced by other LIS software vendors.
Learn More: What to Look Out for and Avoid When Shopping for a New LIS System
Laboratory Information System Configurability
We've addressed template flexibility. Now let’s focus on configurability.
The configurability within the LIS system is just as important as template flexibility. Be sure to ask the LIS software vendors you are speaking with if their templating engine is embedded in the lab information system or if it’s a stand-alone software (like Crystal Reports).
Regarding advanced LIS system features, you’ll want to check if the LIS medical solution can support macros, bring in ANY discrete field from the LIS system, and apply conditional rules in the report template.
These questions are often overlooked, and some laboratory information system companies may not have this level of configurability.
Ask the questions now instead of six months after selecting an LIS software partner so your lab doesn’t get stuck with an expensive LIS system software development charge, or even worse, be told by the LIS company that their pathology software can’t accommodate your needs.
Can attachments, including images and diagrams be added to the reports? Can the reports be annotated? These are additional important factors to consider before selecting a laboratory information system for your lab’s needs today and going forward.
Learn More: How LigoLab's Pathology Lab Software Supports Lab Report Customization and Client Preferences
Laboratory Information System Integrated Reporting Functionality
Can the laboratory information system you’re evaluating automatically pull the results of multiple tests across multiple departments into one well-organized and easy-to-read lab report summary?
Integrated LIS system reporting sure beats the time-consuming and error-prone alternative of having a pathologist manually compile all the data on a Word document.
For example, it can take 20 minutes for a pathologist to assemble a Hemepath report using traditional tools, but why do that when the best LIS software platforms automatically build the report for the pathologist as soon as the case is opened, pulling in CBC results, Flow Cytometry Interpretation, and Final Dx from the Surgical report as an example.
Learn More: How LIS Software Helps Pathologists Sign-Out Anatomic Pathology Cases Faster
Laboratory Information System and Decision-Support Functionality
Many modern clinical labs are incorporating decision support systems and best practice protocols into their reports to enhance the value of reports and improve care
These risk assessment tools help caregivers filter through data quickly and serve as a treatment guide for the patient and the next steps in care.
As the healthcare industry continues to move toward value-based care and away from fee-for-service, modern laboratory information systems with decision-support functionality can create added value for the lab.
Ask the LIS company you’re speaking with if the laboratory information system and its reporting engine support decision-support functionality.
Laboratory Information System Distribution
Now let’s focus on one of the most important laboratory information system functions: distribution.
What good are aesthetically pleasing lab reports if the laboratory information system and laboratory information system companies producing them can’t effectively distribute them?
Can the LIS system automatically distribute reports through an outreach module?
Does it support report delivery through email, fax, provider and patient web portals, remote and local printers, and SMS?
Other than smoke signals, the LIS company you choose should facilitate report delivery to your clients with ease.
Learn More: LigoLab’s Provider Portal Facilitates Faster Order Processing and Improved Turnaround Times
The Best Laboratory Information System Vendors Have Mastered Lab Reports
The LigoLab LIS & RCM Laboratory Informatics Platform is a great example of LIS software vendors who’ve listened to lab clients and delivered the most flexible and configurable laboratory information system platform compared to its legacy pathology lab software competitors. LigoLab demonstrates this with its fully customizable report templates.
The LIS system’s reporting and distribution engines drive the reporting process by creating reports that consolidate and augment test results with rich text formatting, images, and cumulative charts. Once finalized, the reports are distributed automatically through every channel available.
Thanks to end-to-end support, LigoLab’s clients gain the freedom to create the reports they desire and the deep domain expertise and best practices that come with laboratory information system software developed by and for pathologists and laboratorians since 2006.
Is the LIS system in your lab holding it back?
Tired of common pain points like a lack of LIS system functionality and challenges such as shrinking reimbursements, high denial rates, increased government regulations, and a lack of skilled technicians?
Looking for a better, more efficient way to control costs, increase revenue, and scale your medical laboratory?
LigoLab can help transform your lab with modern features and functionality.
Request a demo or a brief consultation with an LIS system product specialist to learn more.
