A Scalable Solution for Molecular LIS Testing Labs

As the molecular laboratory ecosystem evolves, so too must the laboratory information systems (LIS software) that support it. 

Traditional pathology lab reporting software solutions are now obsolete, and modern LIS systems, such as the LigoLab Informatics Platform, which features an integrated laboratory information system and lab billing software infrastructure, are designed to help labs navigate the ever-changing lab environment with agility and ease.

Discover More: The Benefits of a Modern Pathology Lab Management System

The Changing Landscape of Molecular Lab Testing Software 

Molecular lab testing software is experiencing significant changes in various aspects, including:

• Clinical lab workflow
• Service delivery
• Reporting structures
• Lab instrumentation
• Reimbursement procedures
• Third-party interoperability

These changes are driving the need for a molecular LIS that can adapt and support the evolving needs of molecular testing labs.

The Growing Role of Molecular Lab Software in Healthcare Delivery

Molecular lab software is increasingly playing a more prominent role in overall LIS healthcare delivery. The molecular LIS has transitioned from being the workhorse hidden in hospital basements to a vital, visible component of the overall healthcare package. As a result, molecular labs now require LIS system software that offers more than just basic order capture and result delivery. 

Key features of advanced molecular LIS medical platforms for testing labs include:

• Flexibility within and beyond the lab's network
• Specimen lifecycle traceability, sample tracking, and support
• Scalability and efficiency

“Molecular LIS testing laboratories are essential to today’s precision-driven healthcare landscape. Breakthroughs in biochemical and molecular genetics are fueling the growth of precision medicine, creating demand for the advanced capabilities of our molecular testing partners. “We understand their unique needs and have created a LIS system platform that is not only agile, but that also helps these labs scale their operations efficiently.”

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

Discover More: Automation in Pathology Labs Using Advanced LIS System Software

LigoLab Informatics Platform: Medical LIS Software Agility & Scalability for Molecular Testing Labs

LigoLab has developed an advanced pathology lab software platform that is not only agile but also helps molecular testing labs scale their operations efficiently. The platform's molecular lab software solution effectively kept up with unprecedented demand and scaling during the COVID-19 pandemic, a true demonstration of its power and adaptability.

“The fastest-growing laboratories in the U.S. during the pandemic were LigoLab molecular LIS clients. All of our molecular lab partners scaled their volumes exponentially, and some witnessed explosive growth, with volumes going up by 6,000 percent.”

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

Discover More: How Molecular Test Orders are Accessioned with LigoLab's LIS System

Precision Medicine: Driving Growth & Opportunities with Molecular Lab Testing Software

As precision medicine continues to advance, molecular labs are assuming increasingly significant roles within the healthcare ecosystem. 

With the help of advanced technology, molecular lab testing software platforms, and innovative laboratory information system companies like LigoLab, these important labs can adapt to manage complex diagnostic tests, support the broader diagnostics and treatment team, and leverage emerging digital technologies to offer innovative services and open up new revenue sources.

“When we say that molecular testing labs are coming out of the basement, this is what we mean. Today’s labs go well beyond traditional collection and reporting. They are now often part of the broader diagnostics and treatment team.”

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

Discover More: Introducing a New Revenue Source for Labs

Molecular LIS Labs: Interpreting Data-Rich Biospecimens

Molecular LIS labs are becoming vital interpreters of data-rich biospecimens, helping clinicians better understand clinical pathways and treatment options for:

• Drug selection
• Specialized therapeutics

As diagnostic tests become more complicated, these labs and their molecular LIS software are essential for helping other healthcare providers comprehend the relevance of specific results.

While some molecular lab directors may be resistant to expanding their roles within the healthcare ecosystem, forward-thinking lab leaders recognize the value that clinical labs hold for advancing medicine. They are turning to modern LIS laboratory information system software platforms with loaded suites of applications for molecular testing operations and support.

Industry Insights: A State of the Lab Industry Discussion with Stan Schofield

LigoLab's Future-Ready Informatics Platform: Unlocking New Revenue Opportunities

LigoLab's informatics platform enables opportunistic lab operators to utilize emerging digital technologies and the rapid growth of patient consumerism. One way labs can do this is by offering direct-to-consumer lab testing, like diagnostic testing and preventative screenings to patients from the comfort of their homes, while supporting:

• Online test kit ordering
• Shipping to the patient's home
• Processing and tracking specimens
• Automated delivery of test results (consumer lab reports)
• Scheduling videoconferencing consultations if needed

“TestDirectly is a direct-to-consumer lab testing portal that supports any kind of direct-to-consumer lab testing and serves as a marketplace for enhanced and specialized laboratory services. The TestDirectly platform enables laboratories to become direct-to-consumer labs as they gain visibility and grow their brands while aligning with consumers and providing them with a streamlined and unified experience.”

- Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

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

Avero Diagnostics and LigoLab: A Lab Information System Success Story

LigoLab's flexible and comprehensive informatics platform has helped numerous labs, including Avero Diagnostics (formerly known as Northwest Laboratory and Northwest Pathology), achieve remarkable growth and efficiency in their operations and finances.

Avero Diagnostics: Sustained Growth & Efficiency with LigoLab’s LIS Software Solutions

Avero Diagnostics has been providing pathology services for well over 25 years. Their partnership with LigoLab began 10 years ago, and six years ago, they switched to LigoLab's laboratory revenue cycle management (lab billing) solution. The immediate benefits included:

• Fully integrated medical LIS & lab billing modules
• No more data silos
• The laboratory billing process begins at order inception

Results: Just months into the partnership, Avero experienced significant gains:

• Increased efficiency
• Improved accuracy
• 35 percent increase in net collections (sustainably maintained)

For a much more detailed look at the Avero Diagnostics success story, you’re invited to read the case study linked below. 

Case Study: Leveraging LIS & RCM Integration to Improve the Laboratory Billing Process

Ensuring Agility in a Changing World with Advanced LIS Systems 

Conventional LIS systems can no longer keep pace with the demands of today’s clinical testing laboratories

Molecular labs need a lab information system/molecular LIS that can connect across all corners of the diagnostic landscape, and that includes: 

• Instrumentation
• Pathology lab management analytics
• Robust decision support
• Effective quality controls
• Third-party interoperability with EHRs and other laboratory software systems
• Decision population health tools 

LIS systems lacking this level of flexibility are unlikely to help labs expand their healthcare network connections or evolve their diagnostic offerings as new opportunities emerge.

“When molecular testing laboratories shop for laboratory information systems and interact with LIS software vendors, they should carefully consider whether or not the LIS model they are evaluating can provide reliable interoperability and interface with an ever-changing array of healthcare partners and other mission-critical technologies. 

It’s not only about what the LIS system can do today, but it’s also about how future-ready it is. LigoLab is a pathology lab management software built for success both today and tomorrow.”

-  Suren Avunjian, LigoLab CEO

Discover  More: Not All LIS Systems Are Created Equally

LigoLab’s Standout Laboratory Information System Functions

The LigoLab Informatics Platform is a comprehensive, fully integrated LIS software solution, equipped with all the modules a modern molecular testing laboratory needs to perform specialized diagnostic testing with peak efficiency.

Standout laboratory information system functions include:

Unified Lab Management

The LigoLab platform unifies all lab functions within a single LIS software infrastructure and pathology lab management system, ensuring end-to-end data integrity and seamless operations.

Specimen Management & Patient Safety

An error-free lab sample management system is essential for flawless laboratory operations. LigoLab assigns a specimen-unique identifier as soon as an order is placed, ensuring an error-free sample tracking workflow.

Quality Control & Quality Assurance

LigoLab's QC module and QA compliance infrastructure enable accurate testing, precise report distribution, and closely monitored operations. The platform supports various QC methodologies, such as:

• Westgard Rules
• Biological variation methods
• Lean Six Sigma

Cost Management

Cost control has become essential for molecular laboratories. LigoLab’s pathology report software provides real-time monitoring and analytics, enabling users to create performance reports that deliver actionable insights for more informed business decisions.

Interoperability

LigoLab features an open architecture construction with a built-in interface engine. The engine provides maximum interoperability, enabling the pathology lab software to seamlessly connect to a majority of analyzers, EHRs, and third-party plug-ins with ease. This includes LIS system and lab RCM internal networking as well as connections to external bodies, such as lab billing services, the Tumor Registry, and state reporting agencies.

The interface engine supports all standard interchange protocols, including: 

• FHIR 
• HL7
• XML
• X12
• CSV
• PDF
• Flat File
• ASTM
• Restful API

Discover More: LigoLab Delivers the LIS System Interoperability Needed to Transform Medical Laboratories into Thriving Businesses

Optimized Workflows & Business Scaling

LigoLab constantly evolves, adding new features and enhancements to its medical LIS platform daily. Through domain expertise, best LIS system practices, and customer feedback analysis, LigoLab boosts lab partners by providing a pathology lab management solution that automates processes, increases productivity, and positions them to scale their businesses quickly.

Discover More: The Benefits of a Modern Pathology Lab Management System

Regulatory Compliance Made Easy

Without a flexible LIS software platform, compliance is challenging and labor-intensive. LigoLab offers specialized tools that reduce audit risk and revenue loss, helping users operate within the guidelines of various regulatory agencies, including:

• CAP
• CLIA
• HIPAA

Support for Consumerism

With LigoLab, medical laboratories can test directly with patients while expanding laboratory services. 

The TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal makes this possible by replacing paper forms and manual processes with a simplified digital clinical lab workflow that starts with patient self-registration and eliminates the potential for human errors, order entry bottlenecks, reporting delays, and patient and provider frustration. 

The cloud-based TestDirectly portal is the key that unlocks molecular LIS functionality and direct-to-consumer lab testing capacity while improving turnaround times and enhancing the patient experience. 

TestDirectly (and TestDirectly.com) supports all forms of direct-to-consumer lab testing (such as sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, allergy testing, genetic screening, etc.) and all specimen collection workflows (including at-home collections). 

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

Discover LigoLab’s Scalable LIS Solution

Learn more about LigoLab’s scalable laboratory information system software and the company behind it by requesting a demo or scheduling a quick consultation with one of our expert LIS software specialists.

Connect with a LigoLab Specialist!‍‍