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Remembering COVID: This Week’s Executive War College Master Class Highlights the Northwest Laboratory and TestDirectly Collaboration
March 10, 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 the world moves forward, the healthcare sector - especially those in laboratory information system (LIS) software) and pathology lab management - continues to reflect on the lessons learned to enhance preparedness for future infectious disease threats.
Learn More: End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration
At LigoLab, supporting our lab partners throughout the pandemic remained a top priority. We stayed committed to understanding their evolving needs and delivering innovative medical laboratory information system solutions to help them navigate the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. From rapidly optimizing laboratory workflow management to ensuring the safety of patients and providers, our efforts were guided by collaboration and a shared mission.
A defining part of this journey was capturing the powerful stories of resilience from our partners on the frontlines. Reflecting on these pivotal moments, we recognize the unwavering dedication of the medical LIS software and laboratory communities.
Learn More: Pathology Lab Software: Determining Which LIS System is the Best Fit for Your Laboratory
With these insights in mind, let’s take a moment to remember COVID-19 and revisit this LigoLab blog post originally published on September 1, 2020.
Executive War College: Showcasing the Northwest Laboratory & TestDirectly Collaboration
This year’s Executive War College will deliver educational and networking opportunities through a virtual platform to ensure the safety of all participants. This year’s annual conference on diagnostics, clinical laboratory, and pathology lab management opened on August 4.
The conference continues this week with a Master Class featuring Jennifer Bull, COO at Northwest Laboratory, and Suren Avunjian, CEO at LigoLab - a leading provider of diagnostic lab software and the experts behind the lab vendor’s all-in-one medical LIS and laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) platform.
On Thursday, September 3 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PST, Bull and Avunjian will discuss how Northwest Laboratory, LigoLab, and the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal helped the Florida Department of Health screen the state’s 500,000 long term care residents (LTC) and staff for COVID-19.
On Thursday, Bull and Avunjian will provide insight into how the partnership quickly came together in May of this year, and how Northwest was able to streamline clinical lab workflow, boost testing capacity, and deliver fast and accurate test results, enabling public health officials to protect Florida’s senior population by quickly identifying asymptomatic patients in the state’s 4,000 LTC facilities across 67 counties.
Bull and Avunjian will share insights from their partnership with the state of Florida and highlight essential factors that will lead to successfully supporting high-volume COVID-19 testing.
Learn More: Introducing TestDirectly, One of LigoLab’s Most Powerful Supporting Modules
To learn more about the Florida-Northwest-LigoLab partnership and how the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal supports scaling operations, please visit these links:
LigoLab News: Florida Turns to TestDirectly and Northwest Laboratory to Protect its Seniors from COVID-19
Navigating the Future: How Independent Medical Labs and Laboratory Information System Vendors Adapt and Thrive
Independent clinical laboratories and pathology groups must remain agile to thrive in an industry marked by continuous and rapid change. They face ongoing challenges, including reimbursement cuts, claim denials, increasing competition, and evolving regulatory requirements. Similarly, laboratory information system vendors must continuously innovate to meet the demands of modern lab operations.
LigoLab, a premier provider of pathology reporting software, equips independent medical laboratories with the advanced lab information system tools they need to navigate this dynamic landscape. By integrating LIS system automation, scalability, and efficiency into lab operations, LigoLab empowers labs to optimize lab workflow, enhance profitability, and deliver superior patient care.
Learn More: The Best Laboratory Information System Companies and the Advantages They Offer to Their Laboratory Clients
LigoLab: Driving Innovation in Pathology Lab Reporting Software
LigoLab is dedicated to redefining laboratory informatics. Unlike conventional LIS software vendors, LigoLab assumes full responsibility for all lab informatics, deploying new features and enhancements daily. This proactive approach eliminates operational barriers, improves efficiency, and helps laboratory partners achieve financial and service goals.
As a leading LIS company, LigoLab goes beyond traditional functionalities. One of its standout innovations is TestDirectly, a modern, intuitive platform designed for efficient high-volume direct-to-consumer lab testing. This molecular lab software solution expands lab services beyond the traditional physician-ordered model, empowering patients to take control of their health.
Learn More: What is the Best LIS for Molecular Testing Labs?
Unlocking the Power of Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
Direct-to-consumer lab testing has become a pivotal aspect of modern laboratory operations, particularly in response to public health crises like COVID-19. TestDirectly exemplifies how LigoLab swiftly identifies industry needs and delivers a robust LIS system software solution that enhances efficiency, improves turnaround times, and expands patient access to testing.
TestDirectly (TestDirectly.com) is a web-based molecular lab testing software platform that seamlessly integrates with pathology LIS systems, eliminating paperwork and manual processes. By digitizing the lab workflow, TestDirectly removes order entry bottlenecks and accelerates test result delivery.
With TestDirectly patients can:
- Self-register online
- Select a nearby collection facility
- Schedule an appointment from their computer or mobile device
- Experience a touchless, paperless collection process, including at-home test options
Once test results are ready (TestDirectly results time), patients receive instant notifications and can access their consumer lab reports through the TestDirectly portal. This eliminates the need for laboratories to manually follow up, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing patient satisfaction.
Learn More: Introducing a New Revenue Source for Labs
TestDirectly’s Role in the COVID-19 Response
During the height of the pandemic, laboratories across the U.S. relied on TestDirectly to manage the overwhelming demand for COVID-19 testing. The platform enabled labs to collect, process, and report results within 24 hours, automatically sending data to patients, public health agencies, and national registries.
Beyond COVID-19, TestDirectly continues to revolutionize diagnostic lab software testing by providing a reliable, user-friendly, and efficient solution for laboratories to expand into direct-to-consumer lab testing services.
LigoLab’s Comprehensive Medical LIS & Laboratory Billing Platform
LigoLab is a complete pathology lab software provider serving over 300 facilities nationwide. The fully integrated informatics platform supports various diagnostic disciplines, including:
- Clinical laboratory workflow management
- Anatomic pathology
- Molecular diagnostics
- Lab revenue cycle management (Lab RCM)
- Direct-to-consumer lab testing
By unifying aspects of all lab operations, LigoLab streamlines lab workflow, enhances compliance, and maximizes financial performance.
Why Choose LigoLab’s Laboratory Information System Software?
LigoLab’s laboratory information system software is designed to modernize and support labs of all sizes. Key benefits include:
1. Integrated LIS and Lab Billing Modules
LigoLab’s LIS system includes a powerful lab revenue cycle management (Lab RCM) solution that automates coding, eligibility verification, claim scrubbing, and many other aspects of the laboratory billing process.
2. Scalable for Labs of All Sizes
The LIS system platform supports small labs and multi-state pathology groups processing over 10,000 orders daily, ensuring seamless scalability.
3. LIS System Automation & Efficiency
LigoLab’s rules and automation engines reduce manual tasks, human errors, and specimen loss, boosting accuracy and productivity.
4. Seamless Interoperability
With an open LIS software architecture, LigoLab integrates effortlessly with lab instruments, electronic health records, and third-party systems, enabling real-time data exchange.
5. Advanced LIS System Analytics & Reporting
The LIS system platform includes business intelligence tools for real-time compliance reporting (CAP & CLIA), performance dashboards, and customizable analytics to drive informed decision-making.
6. Digital Pathology Solutions & CRM Integration
LigoLab’s laboratory information system functions can support whole-slide imaging, AI and machine learning, and customer relationship management (CRM), enhancing service quality and efficiency.
Digital Pathology Case Study: From Launch to Lift-Off: Highlighting Goldfinch Laboratory’s Formula for Rapid Growth
A Customer-Centric Approach to LIS System Software
LigoLab is dedicated to fostering long-term partnerships with laboratories by:
- Providing unlimited 24/7 support
- Offering a no upfront licensing fee pricing model (pricing is based on usage, making it risk-free for labs to scale)
- Allowing clients to sub-license the LIS system to other laboratories at no additional cost
Learn More: LigoLab Informatics Platform: Uniquely Designed Pricing Tiers to Deliver Maximum Value
Interested in Learning More About LigoLab’s Pathology Lab Management Solutions?
Contact a LigoLab Product Specialist for a personalized demo today.
