How LigoLab Helps Medical Labs Combat Staffing Shortages

The shortage of qualified personnel in laboratory medicine is a well-known and rapidly escalating issue within the industry. 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 TechTimes (on November 28, 2022) and recently updated with new information, LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian explains how an organization’s laboratory information system (LIS software) can help combat and overcome the current shortage of medical laboratory scientists (MLS) and medical laboratory technologists (MLT). 

Industry Insights: How LigoLab Supports Medical Labs Dealing with Staffing Shortages

What follows is an executive summary of the TechTimes article, plus a link to a similar article that was also published at LigoLab.com.

Executive Summary: Combating the Lab Staffing Crisis with Modern LIS System Technology

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., the role of laboratory professionals is central to 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 these testing organizations and threatening patient care quality.

This growing gap stems from multiple factors, including widespread burnout, increased workloads, and a lack of recognition for lab professionals. 

A survey from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) revealed that over 85 percent of lab professionals experience burnout, with understaffing and excessive workload cited as primary reasons. 

Compounding the issue is 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.

According to LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian, one viable solution lies in technology: specifically, modern laboratory information systems (LIS). These advanced LIS software platforms can offset staffing shortages by automating repetitive tasks, improving efficiency, and reducing errors across the entire diagnostic workflow.

Avunjian explains that a modern LIS system (such as the LigoLab Informatics Platform) enhances all three phases of lab testing. 

During the preanalytical phase, the lab information system automates test ordering, specimen tracking, and data entry through rule-based workflows and interoperability with electronic health record systems and client portals. This significantly reduces manual entry errors and frees up staff time.

In the analytical phase, integrated and automated workflows eliminate redundancies while streamlining validation and test result review processes. The medical LIS platform enables lab professionals to focus on their specific tasks without the manual burden of coordinating across departments.

Post-analytical improvements include intelligent report generation and flexible, automated distribution methods tailored to the provider's preferences. This level of customization not only improves service quality and turnaround times but also offers a competitive edge in a crowded market.

Avunjian stresses that automation and modern LIS healthcare technology are no longer optional; they're essential tools for laboratories navigating workforce challenges while striving for operational excellence. He also notes that the LIS lab vendor relationship is key, urging leaders to seek not just LIS software companies but strategic partners offering scalable, all-in-one clinical laboratory management solutions that align with the lab's current and future needs.

The LigoLab Informatics Platform exemplifies this approach, providing a unified solution that supports anatomic, clinical, molecular, and toxicology testing, while also addressing lab revenue cycle management (lab billing) challenges. It’s designed to modernize lab operations, increase visibility, and future-proof organizations against mounting industry pressures.

In conclusion, 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 their 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, and the Future of Laboratory Information Systems

Despite the well-documented staff shortages, laboratory medicine is on the verge of a major transformation, fueled by rapid advancements in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital pathology. As these technologies mature and personnel problems persist, modern pathology laboratory information systems are 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 platforms, such as the all-in-one LigoLab Medical LIS & Lab Billing Informatics Platform, are uniquely positioned to support this evolution. With the growing demand for scalable, intelligent solutions, industry leaders anticipate that AI and digital pathology will become essential tools to manage increasing case volumes and complexity. In fact, within a few years, a single pathologist could routinely 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

This expectation is reinforced by a report from Signify Research, which projects that global demand for digital pathology will soon double. As adoption accelerates, we may quickly see a digital pathology workflow 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 comprise 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 is not just compelling, but critical.

Discover More: The Role of Anatomic Pathology LIS Software in Optimizing Laboratory Workflow Management

Preparing for the Future: Is Your LIS Ready?

To address the increasing demands of modern surgical pathology practices, labs must move beyond outdated, rigid LIS systems. The future belongs to flexible, rule-based LIS software platforms that support automation, interoperability, and scalability.

Legacy LIS systems are quickly becoming obsolete, replaced by unified medical LIS software solutions that are both robust and adaptable. These modern pathology LIS 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 lab billing (lab revenue cycle management) capabilities to streamline operations and improve financial performance.

However, not all LIS systems are built the same. Choosing the best LIS platform and the right vendor can determine whether a lab thrives or struggles in this new era. 

It’s critical to evaluate the laboratory information system vendor’s commitment to ongoing development, customer support, and transparent pricing. The ideal partner aligns with your lab’s long-term goals, offers 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, such as the LigoLab Informatics Platform gain a powerful advantage: a comprehensive and scalable pathology lab management system designed to boost efficiency, reduce manual workflows, and support growth in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Industry Insights: From System of Record to System of Action - The Next Evolution of Laboratory Information Systems