Industry Insights
How LigoLab Helps Medical Labs Combat Staffing Shortages
April 29, 2026
The shortage of qualified personnel in laboratory medicine is a well-known and rapidly escalating issue. As a critical component of patient care, the field is now facing mounting pressure to address this workforce challenge before it impacts service quality and patient outcomes.
In a piece first published in the Tech Times on November 28, 2022, and recently updated with new information, LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian explains how LIS laboratory information system software can help organizations address the current shortage of medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and medical laboratory technologists (MLT).
Industry Insights: How LigoLab Supports Medical Labs Dealing with Staffing Shortages
Executive Summary: Combating the Lab Staffing Crisis with Modern LIS System Technology
The Scale of the Problem
Laboratory medicine is a critical pillar of the healthcare system, contributing to approximately 70 percent of all medical decisions. With 14 billion lab tests conducted annually in the U.S., laboratory professionals play a central role in patient care.
However, the industry is in crisis. A nationwide shortage of medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and technicians (MLT), estimated at 20,000 to 25,000 unfilled positions, is straining testing organizations and threatening the quality of care.
This growing gap stems from multiple factors, including widespread burnout, increased workloads, and a lack of recognition for lab professionals. A survey by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) found that over 85 percent of lab professionals experience burnout, with understaffing and excessive workload cited as the primary causes.
Compounding the issue are an aging workforce and a sharp decline in the number of new graduates entering the field. Despite high educational costs, averaging $100,000 for a medical laboratory science degree, starting salaries remain significantly lower than those in comparable healthcare professions, deterring new entrants and fueling the ongoing shortage.
How Modern LIS Software Addresses Staffing Shortages
According to Avunjian, one viable solution lies in technology, specifically, modern laboratory information systems. Advanced LIS software platforms can offset staffing shortages by automating repetitive tasks, improving efficiency, and reducing errors across the entire diagnostic workflow.
Preanalytical Phase
The lab information system automates test ordering, specimen tracking, and data entry through rules-based workflows and interoperability with electronic health record systems (EHRs) and client portals, significantly reducing manual entry errors and freeing up staff time.
Analytical Phase
Integrated, automated labs eliminate redundancies and streamline validation and test result review processes. Advanced medical LIS systems enable lab professionals to focus on their specific tasks without the manual burden of coordinating across departments.
Post-Analytical Phase
Intelligent report generation and flexible, automated distribution methods tailored to provider preferences improve service quality and turnaround times, while also offering a competitive edge in a crowded market.
Avunjian stressed that automation and modern LIS healthcare technology are no longer optional; they are essential tools for laboratories navigating workforce challenges while striving for operational excellence. He urged lab leaders to seek not just laboratory information system companies but strategic partners offering scalable, all-in-one pathology and clinical laboratory management solutions that align with the lab's current and future needs.
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A Unified Solution for Modern Lab Operations
The all-in-one LigoLab Informatics Platform exemplifies this approach, providing a unified lab organization software solution that supports anatomic, clinical, molecular, and toxicology testing while also addressing challenges in lab revenue cycle management (lab billing). The platform modernizes lab operations, increases visibility, and future-proofs organizations against mounting pressures.
Addressing the staffing shortage in laboratory medicine requires more than recruitment; it demands smarter laboratory software systems. By adopting a modern medical LIS software platform, laboratories can protect service quality, boost efficiency, and better position themselves for long-term success.
On-Demand Webinar: Beat Pathologist Burnout & Combat Staffing Shortages
Artificial Intelligence, Digital Pathology Solutions, and the Future of Laboratory Information System Software
A Revolution on the Horizon
Despite well-documented staff shortages, laboratory medicine is on the verge of a major transformation driven by rapid advancements in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital pathology. As these technologies mature and personnel challenges persist, modern medical laboratory information system software is poised to play a central role in what many experts view as a revolution in laboratory medicine over the next five to seven years.
Forward-thinking laboratory information system vendors, like those behind LigoLab’s all-in-one medical LIS & lab billing platform, are uniquely positioned to support this evolution. Industry leaders anticipate that AI and digital pathology solutions will become essential tools for managing increasing case volumes and complexity, with the potential for a single pathologist to achieve the productivity levels of two pathologists working today.
Discover More: Best Practices for Preparing Medical Labs for AI Integration in Technical and Financial Operations
What the Data Says
A report from Signify Research projects that global demand for digital pathology will soon double. As adoption accelerates, a digital pathology workflow may emerge in which 60 to 70 percent of cases are reviewed and released based on results generated by image analysis software. Another 20 to 30 percent of cases will require a pathologist to review and potentially override AI-generated diagnoses. The remaining five percent, typically the most complex, will continue to depend heavily on human expertise, underscoring the irreplaceable role of pathologists in patient care.
Although laboratories typically account for just five percent of a health system's total budget, their influence is far greater. Lab results drive 70 to 80 percent of all clinical decisions; investing in the future of pathology lab software is not just compelling but critical.
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Preparing for the Future: Is Your Lab Information System Ready?
Moving Beyond Legacy LIS Systems
To address the increasing demands of modern surgical pathology practices, labs must move beyond outdated, rigid LIS systems. The future belongs to flexible, rules-based LIS software platforms that support automation, interoperability, and scalability.
Legacy LIS systems are quickly becoming obsolete, replaced by unified LIS medical solutions that are both robust and adaptable. These modern laboratory information systems offer thousands of configurable elements, enabling labs to rapidly add new tests, results, report templates, and data fields. They eliminate data silos, ensure seamless communication across departments, and often include integrated laboratory billing and lab revenue cycle management capabilities to streamline operations and improve financial performance.
Choosing the Best LIS Software Vendor
Developers do not build all laboratory information systems the same way. Choosing the best LIS software platform and the right vendor can determine whether a lab thrives or struggles in this new era. It is crucial to evaluate laboratory information system vendors based on their commitment to ongoing development, customer support, and transparent pricing. The ideal partner aligns with your lab's long-term goals, offers a low upfront investment, and provides responsive service with no hidden fees.
Discover More: LigoLab Informatics Platform - Uniquely Designed to Deliver Maximum Value
Labs that invest in a future-ready LIS medical platform gain a powerful advantage: a comprehensive and scalable LIS lab solution designed to boost efficiency, reduce manual workflows, and support growth in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lab Staffing Shortages and Modern Laboratory Information System Software Solutions
How severe is the laboratory staffing shortage in the U.S.?
Experts estimate that there are 20,000 to 25,000 unfilled positions for medical laboratory scientists and technicians nationwide. Over 85 percent of lab professionals report experiencing burnout, with understaffing and excessive workload cited as the primary causes. An aging workforce and declining numbers of new graduates are compounding the problem.
How can LIS software help labs cope with staffing shortages?
Modern laboratory information system software automates repetitive tasks across all three phases of lab testing: preanalytical, analytical, and post-analytical. By reducing manual data entry, streamlining workflows, and automating result distribution, medical LIS platforms enable existing staff to handle higher volumes without proportional increases in headcount.
What specific tasks can a modern LIS system automate to reduce staffing pressure?
A modern LIS system can automate test ordering, specimen tracking, data entry, insurance eligibility verification, result validation, report generation, and result distribution. Rules-based workflows and EHR interoperability further reduce the need for manual coordination between departments.
What role will AI and digital pathology play in addressing lab staffing challenges?
Experts expect AI and digital pathology to significantly boost pathologists' productivity, enabling one pathologist to achieve the output of two. A Signify Research report projects that global demand for digital pathology will soon double, with 60 to 70 percent of cases potentially reviewed and released based on AI-generated image analysis software.
What should labs look for when selecting an LIS software vendor to address staffing challenges?
Labs should prioritize LIS vendors that offer scalable, all-in-one clinical laboratory management solutions with strong automation capabilities, transparent pricing, no hidden fees, ongoing development investment, and responsive customer support. The vendor should function as a long-term strategic partner rather than simply a software provider.
How does LigoLab's platform support labs dealing with workforce challenges?
The LigoLab Informatics Platform provides a unified lab organization software solution that supports anatomic, clinical, molecular, and toxicology testing, as well as integrated lab billing. Its automation and rules-based engines reduce manual workload across all testing phases, helping labs maintain service quality and throughput even with reduced staffing levels.
Are legacy LIS systems adequate for handling today's lab staffing and volume challenges?
No. Legacy laboratory information systems lack the flexibility, automation, and configurability needed to meet modern demands. They often create data silos, require manual workarounds, and cannot scale efficiently, making the transition to a modern, unified medical LIS platform essential for labs facing both staffing shortages and increasing test volumes.
