Choosing a Vendor - Guidance for Your LIS Upgrade

Medical Laboratory Observer has published a timely guide to help clinical laboratories and pathology groups choose the best laboratory information system software and the right LIS software vendors.

LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian participated in the discussion for this guide. He said medical labs continue to bear the pain of rigid, legacy laboratory information systems that lack functionality and flexibility, even though new LIS pathology and clinical solutions that replace multiple disparate laboratory software systems and their inherent data silos are readily available.

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

Avunjian also suggested that organizations looking to upgrade their medical LIS should not look for laboratory information system vendors but rather LIS lab partners, because they simply can't afford to make mistakes or switch LIS systems frequently.

To read more from Avunjian and other industry experts, click the link below, or continue reading our executive summary of the article.

MLO Article Linked Here: Guidance for Choosing an LIS Vendor

Selecting the Best Laboratory Information System Vendor: LIS Lab Insights 

Choosing the best laboratory information system software and LIS lab vendor significantly impacts clinical laboratories and pathology groups in the long term. Experts recommend working with laboratory information system vendors that serve as strategic partners, providing dedicated support, expertise, and collaboration throughout the customer journey. 

Suren Avunjian, CEO of LigoLab, emphasized that many traditional LIS software solutions are inflexible and limited in features and functionality, which hinders laboratory effectiveness. He advocated selecting LIS lab vendors that can serve as true partners, offering clinical and pathology LIS systems that provide robust flexibility, enhanced laboratory workflow management, and comprehensive support to address operational and financial needs.

Industry Insights: Six Experts Discuss the State of Anatomic Pathology LIS Systems

Key Questions to Ask When Selecting a New Laboratory Information System

Avunjian advised labs to choose a long-term LIS system partner, not just a vendor. He emphasized that changing laboratory information systems is a complex and resource-intensive undertaking that organizations cannot afford to repeat frequently. He also suggested labs ask these questions when selecting a new LIS medical solution:

• Does the vendor offer an integrated laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) module with a shared lab database software infrastructure?
• Can the lab information system operate both in the cloud and on-premises?
• Does the healthcare LIS eliminate data silos by seamlessly managing all operations?
• Does the LIS lab solution support automatic specimen tracking with unique barcode identifiers?
• Does the laboratory information system feature automation to streamline laboratory workflow management and minimize manual tasks?
• Are the lab reports produced by the LIS system fully customizable with various delivery options?
• Does the lab information system have an internal interface engine?
• Is there a comprehensive and searchable audit trail that's easily accessible?
• Does LIS software provide insightful dashboards and dynamic reporting?
• Does the LIS system support client and patient portals?
• Does the medical LIS software ensure regulatory compliance at every stage of operations and finances?

Avunjian expected LIS systems to use more automation in the future, with automated labs resulting from the shortage of skilled lab staff and rising labor costs.

He also predicted that technology would soon enable labs to interact directly with patients. This could occur through direct-to-consumer lab-testing portals with telemedicine features, such as TestDirectly. 

Discover More: Highlighting the Versatility of the TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal

When Laboratory Information System Upgrades Stall: Understanding the Breakdown

If you have worked in a pathology practice or clinical laboratory, the following scenario may sound familiar:

Leaders at Laboratory X meet to discuss performance and reliability problems. These issues stem from an outdated or homegrown LIS system. 

An outdated laboratory information system can quickly become a significant obstacle to customer retention and business growth. Inefficient workflows, disconnected processes, and excessive manual intervention increase the risk of costly errors, including mislabeled or misplaced specimens. These issues can lead to reporting delays, reduced productivity, and dissatisfaction among clients and providers. As operational challenges continue to mount, the need for a modern, more efficient LIS system becomes increasingly urgent. 

Recognizing the problem, management agrees to evaluate modern LIS software options. Advanced systems designed for efficiency and growth are now considered. This decision excites department heads and renews optimism. While implementing a new medical LIS may be hard, the chance for lasting improvement inspires hope throughout the lab.

Discover More: What to Look Out for and Avoid When Shopping for a New LIS System

Soon after, a dedicated committee is assembled to research available laboratory information systems. The group narrows the field to a shortlist of promising lab vendors, schedules demos, and collects key details for comparison.

Discover More: How to Set Up a Committee to Select a Laboratory Information System

After several presentations and a careful review, the committee picks some strong candidates and reports to management. Management then opens further discussions with vendors, requesting additional demos and proposals. Suddenly, the plan is put on hold. The LIS upgrade has been dropped, causing confusion and frustration among staff.

The abrupt reversal sparks several questions. Did management lose confidence and revert to the comfort of the status quo? Did the LIS vendors fail to make a convincing case for the value of their systems? Most importantly, is there still a chance to revive this critical lab information system modernization effort, or has the opportunity for real progress already slipped away?

Discover More: Cost of Inaction - The Dire Consequences of Neglecting Modernization in Laboratory Operations and Informatics

Overcoming Resistance to Laboratory Information System Adoption: Strategies for Lab Leaders

Resistance to adopting a new laboratory information system often stems from fear of failure, but this can be effectively managed. Lab leaders should acknowledge this fear, set realistic goals, clearly communicate expectations, and take incremental actions toward change.

Questions to Ask Potential LIS Vendors

To help overcome internal resistance, it's important to ask potential laboratory information system vendors specific questions that confirm alignment with the lab's business goals, including:

• Do they have proven industry experience and a successful track record?
• Can their LIS systems support customized solutions and unique needs?
• Do they offer scalable LIS systems?
• Is there a commitment to ongoing technological innovation of the LIS systems?
• Is there a support structure for current and future operational needs?
• Is there transparent pricing, including upfront and potential hidden costs?
• Are there flexible licensing options?

Discover More: LigoLab Informatics Platform - Uniquely Designed to Deliver Maximum Value

Shifting LIS System Focus: Emphasize Rewards Over Risks in Implementation

One approach to overcoming hesitation or fear associated with implementing a new laboratory information system is to emphasize the rewards rather than the potential risks. Customers can achieve significant improvements by adopting modern medical LIS systems, as demonstrated by real-world examples provided in the following case studies:

Case Study 1: Learn how Eastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants (ECPC) successfully addressed key operational goals by integrating a contemporary anatomic pathology software solution: The ECPC Success Story: Tripling Productivity & Boosting Net Collections by 35% with LigoLab Informatics Platform.

Case Study 2: See how Avero Diagnostics achieved substantial enhancements in operational and financial outcomes after implementing modern pathology lab software with fully integrated laboratory billing solutions: Leveraging LIS System & Lab RCM Integration to Improve the Laboratory Billing Process.

LigoLab Informatics Platform: Advanced LIS Software for Independent Laboratories

Is your pathology group or clinical laboratory considering an upgrade to a new laboratory information system? Discover how LigoLab can help.

Since 2006, LigoLab has partnered with independent laboratories to design and enhance its informatics platform, specifically built to solve the operational challenges that all medical labs face.

With the all-in-one LigoLab Informatics Platform at the center of your operations, your lab can streamline workflows, scale efficiently, and stay ahead of industry challenges while creating new growth opportunities.

Ready to Begin Your Digital Transformation?

See how LigoLab's all-in-one medical LIS and laboratory billing platform can drive your digital transformation. Contact our team today to learn more.

Act Now: Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist!

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing the Best LIS Vendor

Why should labs look for an LIS system partner instead of just a vendor?

Switching laboratory information systems is costly and disruptive, so labs can't afford to make the wrong choice repeatedly. A true LIS software partner offers ongoing support, flexibility, and a shared commitment to the lab's long-term success rather than just a one-time product sale.

What key questions should a lab ask before selecting a new medical LIS?

Labs should ask whether the vendor offers integrated lab billing, supports both cloud and on-premises deployment, eliminates data silos, includes automatic specimen tracking, features workflow automation, provides customizable reporting, includes an internal interface engine, maintains a searchable audit trail, offers dynamic dashboards, supports client/patient portals, and ensures regulatory compliance at every stage.

Why do LIS upgrade initiatives often stall or get abandoned?

Upgrade efforts commonly fail due to internal hesitation, fear, or a lack of confidence after lengthy evaluation processes. Without clear communication, realistic goals, and strong vendor proposals, leadership can revert to the status quo even after committing to change.

How can lab leaders overcome resistance to adopting a new LIS system?

Lab leaders can reduce resistance by acknowledging the fear of change, setting achievable goals, communicating expectations, and taking incremental steps. Asking vendors about their track record, scalability, support structure, and pricing transparency also helps build internal confidence.

What role does automation play in modern LIS systems?

Automation helps offset staffing shortages and rising labor costs by streamlining repetitive tasks and minimizing manual work. It also delivers clearer operational insights, particularly when paired with an all-in-one medical LIS and lab billing platform.

What results have labs seen after upgrading to a modern LIS system?

Real-world case studies show significant gains. Eastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants tripled productivity and boosted net collections by 35%. Avero Diagnostics achieved substantial operational and financial improvements after integrating its LIS system and lab revenue cycle management modules.

What is the LigoLab Informatics Platform?

The LigoLab Informatics Platform is an all-in-one LIS system and laboratory billing platform built specifically for independent laboratories. Since 2006, LigoLab has partnered with labs to streamline workflows, support scalability, and address the operational challenges labs face daily.