Beyond Go Live: Maximizing Laboratory Information System (LIS) Performance and Laboratory ROI

At the most recent Executive War College on Diagnostics, Clinical Laboratory, and Pathology Management, Jenny Bull delivered a compelling benefactor session titled “Beyond Go Live: Why Your LIS Investment Is Underperforming and What to Do About It.” With more than 26 years of experience spanning virtually every facet of pathology and clinical laboratory management before joining LigoLab as its Success Director, Bull’s presentation was grounded in real-world workflows, not theory.

“I’m not a salesperson. I’m an operations person who cares deeply about how labs actually function, and that’s the lens I bring to everything I do,” she said.

Her message was direct: implementing laboratory information system (LIS) software is only the starting point. Long-term value comes from continuous optimization, visibility, and partnership.

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The Reality: Why Lab Information System Investments Often Underperform

Bull opened by framing the intense pressures labs face today: rising case complexity, LIS staffing shortages, shrinking reimbursements, and increasing compliance demands.

“Given all of that pressure, is your LIS system helping you absorb it, or are your people absorbing it instead?”

Despite significant investments in their LIS systems, she explained that many labs fall short of achieving the expected returns, not because of the system itself, but due to what happens after the LIS system goes live. 

“The gap between what a modern LIS system can do and what most labs are actually extracting from it is real, and it is significant,” she warned while listing common challenges such as:

• Persistent manual workflows
• Unmeasured ROI
• Underutilized LIS system capabilities
• Continued reliance on workarounds

Bull added that in her view, it’s not a failure of effort, but a structural problem between labs and how they’ve traditionally viewed LIS lab vendors.

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The Visibility Problem: You Can’t Fix What You Can’t See

A major theme of Bull’s presentation was the hidden inefficiencies that develop over time.

“When you’ve had a lab workflow for years, it stops being a workflow. It just becomes how things are done,” she said.

These “invisible inefficiencies” often take the form of shadow systems, spreadsheets, paper-based tracking, and disconnected tools, all operating outside the LIS software environment. 

“Every tool your team is using outside of your lab information system to get their job done is a signal that there’s a gap somewhere,” she explained.

Bull emphasized that uncovering these gaps requires hands-on, operational insight in addition to technical support.

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From Vendor to Partner: A New LIS Model for Success

Bull made a clear distinction between traditional LIS vendors and true partners.

“A vendor provides the technology,” she noted. “A partner remains engaged and helps you leverage it to achieve better performance.” 

She said the distinction between vendor and partner is the difference between LIS software that gets implemented and LIS software that actually transforms how a lab performs.

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Turning Insight Into Action: The Opportunity Report

To bridge the gap between potential and performance, Bull introduced LigoLab’s structured post-go-live optimization process as an example of true engagement and partnership.

Through detailed Opportunity Reports, labs receive:

• Workflow analysis by department
• Identification of inefficiencies and revenue leakage
• ROI projections
• Prioritized recommendations

“The Opportunity Report converts ‘we know things aren’t quite right’ into ‘here’s exactly what’s happening, what it’s costing you, and how to fix it,’” she said. “From there, what matters most is what is done with the findings.”

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From System of Record to System of Action

Bull highlighted one of the most important shifts in laboratory informatics today.

“A lab information system of record stores what happened. An LIS system of action changes what’s happening,” she explained, noting that modern LIS software platforms leverage automation, AI, and real-time data to:

• Eliminate manual data entry
• Automate workflows and case routing
• Detect issues proactively
• Deliver actionable insights in real time

An LIS system of action gives you data when you need it, proactively, in the context of decisions being made right now,” she said. 

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Real-World Impact: Measurable Outcomes

Bull reinforced her insights with real-world examples demonstrating measurable performance improvements.

LigoLab customers leveraging optimized LIS system and lab billing workflows achieved:

• Up to 48% increases in case volume
• 9.6% reduction in turnaround time
• 41% efficiency gain in accessioning
• 40% reduction in case allocation time
• 25% improvement in pathologist workflow

“When the LIS lab platform does its job, your people can do theirs,” she said succinctly.

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Why Integration Matters: Unified LIS System with Advanced Laboratory Billing Solutions

A key differentiator in Bull’s presentation was the integration of laboratory information system software with advanced laboratory billing solutions.

“When your LIS system and lab revenue cycle management processes are all run in one informatics platform, you eliminate the gaps where revenue gets lost, often without anyone realizing it,” she said while using the LigoLab platform as a unified example that enables lab billing at order entry, automated coding and claim validation, real-time financial visibility, and reduced denials and improved collections. 

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Continuous Innovation and Future-Ready LIS Software

Bull emphasized that long-term success depends on continuous innovation driven by real lab needs, stating that “Laboratory information system software built in a vacuum drifts away from what labs actually need.”

She also referenced LigoLab’s approach to continuous innovation, which includes:

• Customer-driven roadmap development
• LigoVerse user collaboration
• Client Advisory Board input
• Ongoing platform enhancements

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What Success Looks Like

Bull described a clear divide between high-performing labs and those struggling to keep up.

“The labs that are performing well are proactive. The ones that are struggling are constantly reacting,” she said. “Technology advantages compound, and so do technology deficits.”

She continued by pointing out that successful labs share:

• Real-time visibility
• Automated workflows
• Integrated medical LIS and lab billing systems
• Data-driven decision-making

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Move Beyond Go-Live and Unlock the Full Value of Your LIS System

Jenny Bull’s session delivered a clear, actionable message:

“The most important outcome isn’t a sales conversation, it’s going back to your lab and asking better questions,” she emphasized.

For laboratories focused on improving efficiency, strengthening lab billing performance, and maximizing LIS lab ROI, the path forward is clear: move beyond go-live and transform your LIS system into a true system of action.

Ready to get more from your lab information system? 

Connect with a LigoLab expert today and discover how to turn insight into measurable performance gains.

Take Action: Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist!

FAQs: Maximizing LIS System and Lab Billing Performance

What is laboratory information system software (LIS)?

Laboratory information system software manages workflows, specimen tracking, reporting, and data. Modern LIS software platforms integrate laboratory billing and analytics.

Why do LIS systems fail to deliver expected ROI?

Because optimization often stops after go-live, leaving unchanged workflows and underutilized LIS system capabilities.

How does LigoLab help labs maximize LIS investments?

Through on-site assessments, Opportunity Reports, continuous engagement, and an all-in-one medical LIS and lab billing platform.

What is the benefit of integrating LIS and lab billing?

It eliminates data silos, reduces errors, accelerates reimbursement, and improves financial visibility and performance.

What defines a “system of action”?

An LIS system that actively drives workflows, automates processes, and delivers real-time insights, going far beyond just storing data.

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