How do I Know if My Laboratory has Outgrown Its LIS System?

All one needs to do is spend one day in a medical laboratory to quickly understand the important role that a laboratory information system (LIS) plays while supporting a lab’s technical operations. In basic terms, laboratory information systems record and store patient and specimen data while tracking specimens through every stage of diagnostic testing. These LIS systems also drive productivity and efficiency while generating and distributing lab reports to lab clients in various other healthcare settings.  

Discover More: Learn the Basics and Find Out How the Best Laboratory Information System Software Efficiently Removes Barriers and Maximizes Growth

Be it a high-volume full-service clinical laboratory, a growing pathology group, or a molecular diagnostics start-up lab, the importance of LIS software cannot be overstated. But what happens when a lab and the industry begin to evolve and expand? 

In most cases, legacy LIS systems and homegrown pathology lab reporting software solutions aren’t built with flexibility and scale in mind, and an inadequate medical LIS system can quickly become a barrier to business success. 

The best LIS software doesn’t have a shelf life. Leading laboratory information system companies that understand this offer flexible and comprehensive LIS systems that support all laboratory workflow management, adapting and scaling as the lab does, enabling the business to reach its full potential faster. 

Discover More: The Best Laboratory Information System Companies and the Advantages They Offer to Their Laboratory Clients

Editor’s Note: A laboratory information system (LIS in healthcare) and a laboratory information management system (LIMS lab management software) are two distinct diagnostic lab software solutions often used interchangeably in conversations, even though they are built to support radically different types of labs.

Learn more about the differences (LIS vs LIMS) by clicking the link below. 

Discover More: The Differences Between Laboratory Information Management Systems (Lab LIMS) and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS Software)

Tips for Evaluating Laboratory Information Systems

Identifying if a lab has outgrown its laboratory information system software from within can be challenging, but it's vitally important for efficient operations and scalability. As an LIS company with over 20 years of industry experience, and having replaced legacy LIS systems in hundreds of laboratory facilities, we at LigoLab are acutely aware of the struggles labs with inadequate LIS lab solutions face. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of common issues that typically indicate when it’s time for a lab to upgrade its lab workflow support with advanced LIS pathology software. 

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

Is Your Lab Experiencing Any of These LIS System Issues?

LIS System Difficulty Adapting to Changes

If your LIS medical solution struggles to keep pace with laboratory workflow management changes, it’s a sign that you've outgrown the pathology software. Your lab information system should be flexible and able to adapt to new tests, regulatory changes, and updated and more streamlined workflows. It should allow your personnel to make changes via configuration settings to enhance lab workflow efficiency. 

Many laboratory information system vendors charge thousands of dollars for even minor configuration changes, often taking weeks or months to deliver, with some requests never fully completed. If your lab constantly runs into roadblocks or delays when requesting system configuration updates, it may be time to consider a more agile and adaptable LIS software that empowers you to make changes quickly and efficiently.

Bottlenecks in Laboratory Workflow Management 

Operational efficiency is paramount for any laboratory setting. If your laboratory information system causes delays due to slow processing times, data entry errors, or convoluted workflows that require more labor due to insufficient diagnostic lab software support, it could be a sign that your LIS system is holding you back. 

A modern medical laboratory information system streamlines operations through advanced rules and automation, empowering laboratory technologists to work smarter - not harder - by eliminating reliance on external lab tools and manual processes like spreadsheets and log sheets.

Costly Manual LIS System Workarounds 

Examples of laboratory information systems with advanced functionality start with rule and automation capabilities that help take pressure off a lab’s staffing requirements - an important consideration these days, with most labs struggling with the cost of acquiring and retaining qualified personnel. 

Are manual workarounds eating up too much of your lab’s FTE budget? If yes, it’s a good time to call on other lab vendors and learn how modern organizations leverage LIS system automation to keep expenses and compliance in check. 

Discover More: What Caused the Current Shortage of Medical Laboratory Technologists and What Steps Need to Be Taken to Solve the Problem

Inadequate LIS System Integration

An effective LIS software/laboratory information system platform should seamlessly integrate with other key laboratory software systems, including electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory billing software, government agencies, and lab instrumentation. 

When a medical LIS fails to communicate effectively with other pathology lab software solutions, it causes unnecessary manual work, lost revenue opportunities, an increased risk of errors, and wasted tech time. 

Limited LIS System Reporting Capabilities

As your clinical laboratory or pathology group expands, the demand for detailed, comprehensive statistical and productivity reporting grows as well. If your current LIS system struggles to deliver the insights you need, makes data access and analysis cumbersome, or requires days (rather than minutes) to generate monthly, quarterly, or annual reports, it’s a clear sign you’ve outgrown it. A modern, sophisticated laboratory information system provides customizable reporting and advanced analytics that empower data-driven decision-making and continuous performance improvement.

Custom, personalized report templates that align with client design and delivery preferences are no longer optional; they’re now expected. Without the ability to easily modify and adapt reports to meet customer needs, your business risks falling behind. If your LIS software vendor charges $5,000–$10,000 every time you need a report configuration change, that model is unsustainable for growth. In contrast, modern LIS software gives your team the agency to flexibly update and customize reports quickly, efficiently, and at no additional cost.

Discover More: Streamline Your Lab Workflow with LigoLab’s LIS Software: Customized Lab Reports & Unparalleled Client Support

Inadequate Lab Information System Support for Future Growth

If your laboratory information system can’t scale alongside your growth plans, it’s a clear indication you’ve outgrown it. Whether you’re expanding your test menu, increasing testing volumes, or opening new locations, a modern LIS system with advanced functionality should enable that growth and not limit it.

Legacy and antiquated pathology LIS systems were built for the needs of their time, but today’s dynamic laboratory environment demands far more. Modern LIS laboratory information system software delivers the scalability, flexibility, and performance needed to thrive. Labs that remain tied to outdated LIS software often face artificial growth ceilings, operational bottlenecks, and missed opportunities, all roadblocks that simply don’t exist with today’s advanced, future-ready LIS system platforms.

Laboratory Information System Compliance Gaps

Regulatory compliance is a critical aspect of laboratory operations. It's time to upgrade your medical laboratory information system if it struggles to meet the latest regulatory requirements for organizations such as CAP (College of American Pathologists) and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). The best laboratory information systems meet the current standards and can quickly pivot to handle and standardize new clinical lab workflow to meet new regulations. 

For example, LigoLab’s LIS system platform not only automates and standardizes procedures, but it also offers compliance-conscious clinical laboratory management and reports, ad hoc data query capabilities, and compliance verification at every stage, thereby ensuring that its LIS lab partners have the tools to operate within regulatory guidelines at all times. 

Discover More: A Detailed Look at How Modern Laboratory Information Systems Fully Support Quality Control

Tips to Maintain Compliance and Prepare for Audits 

To maintain compliance with regulatory standards and prepare for audits, here are a few helpful tips for medical laboratories to follow, whether with LigoLab’s all-in-one LIS system platform or with another pathology lab management system:

Follow Regional Guidelines: Each region in the United States has specific regulatory bodies and standards governing laboratory operations. These guidelines cover test performance, personnel qualifications, quality assurance, quality control, and proficiency testing.

Documentation: All procedures and protocols must be thoroughly documented with a robust, searchable audit trail that captures every activity, from specimen collection and processing to reporting. Documentation should remain current and easily accessible for audits and inspections.

Training: Laboratory staff must receive proper training, with competency assessments conducted regularly. Training should include both technical procedures and regulatory requirements. Modern laboratory information systems support this by offering built-in training environments managed by the LIS provider.

Quality Control and Assurance: Routine quality control (QC) checks should be performed on all equipment, reagents, and procedures, while quality assurance (QA) programs ensure the overall integrity of the lab’s work. Advanced LIS software allows labs to track QC and QA data directly within the system, eliminating the need for manual tracking via spreadsheets or log sheets.

Validation and Calibration: New equipment and tests must be validated before use on patient samples, and all instruments should be regularly calibrated per manufacturer guidelines. Modern LIS software assists by maintaining validation records and managing calibration and maintenance schedules automatically.

Safety: Laboratories must follow strict safety protocols to protect patients, staff, and the environment. This includes proper handling and disposal of biohazardous materials, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and regular safety training. A modern LIS system with embedded sample tracking modules enhances safety and compliance.

Privacy and Confidentiality: Patient data must be managed in compliance with privacy laws such as HIPAA. This includes secure data storage and transmission, strict access controls, encryption, and audit trails that record all access and modifications. Advanced LIS systems safeguard data while enabling patients to securely access their results.

Regular Audits and Inspections: Conduct regular internal audits to ensure compliance and readiness for unannounced inspections from regulatory agencies.

Continual Improvement: Commit to continuous improvement by routinely reviewing and updating procedures, addressing non-compliance issues, and staying current with new standards and best practices. Leading LIS software supports this effort through powerful analytics and reporting tools that drive performance optimization and regulatory readiness.

Here are additional items to consider on this topic:

First, some laboratory information systems have rule engines that check for potential compliance issues before processing orders or reporting results. 

Second, the best LIS software can interface with other laboratory software systems such as electronic health records (EHR), laboratory billing solutions (lab revenue cycle management systems), and regional or national health information exchanges, helping to ensure data is shared securely and appropriately while still complying with interoperability requirements.

Third, these general tips for compliance will vary depending on the region and the specific type of laboratory (clinical, research, etc.), making it crucial to deeply understand applicable laws and regulations in your area and field.

An advanced laboratory information system plays a vital role in supporting regulatory compliance by safeguarding data integrity, upholding rigorous quality control standards, enabling comprehensive reporting, and delivering powerful analytics. However, it’s important to remember that while the LIS is an essential pathology lab management tool, the ultimate responsibility for maintaining compliance rests with the laboratory’s personnel.

No Cloud and Mobile Support for the LIS System

A modern laboratory information system should offer both on-premises and cloud deployment options. If your current LIS system lacks this flexibility, it can restrict your ability to access critical data remotely, scale efficiently, achieve strategic objectives, and take advantage of automatic software updates and secure off-site data backups.

High Total Cost of LIS System Ownership

If your laboratory information system requires frequent, expensive updates, and your LIS lab vendor continually charges for modules, users, upgrades, or new features, that’s a clear red flag. Other warning signs include excessive customization fees, long implementation timelines, high maintenance costs, and dependence on an in-house IT team just to keep the LIS system running.

Modern pathology lab management should deliver exceptional value without an inflated total cost of ownership. If these challenges sound familiar, it may be time to upgrade your LIS system. A flexible, future-ready solution can transform your operations by streamlining workflows, enhancing reporting, and empowering sustainable laboratory growth.

Industry Insights: The Rise and Fall of CoPath LIS - A Legacy Casualty of the Modern Lab Information System Era

How Will I Know if the New Laboratory Information System is an Upgrade?

Just as every medical laboratory operates differently, no two laboratory information systems, or the laboratory information system companies that develop them, are exactly the same. With that in mind, here are a few key ways to determine whether the LIS system you’re evaluating truly represents an upgrade over your current pathology lab management solution.

Examples of Laboratory Information Systems with Comprehensive Features and Functionality

Selecting the best laboratory information system at this stage is crucial. The last thing any lab wants is to invest in a system that limits functionality or future growth. Fortunately, advanced LIS software platforms with fully integrated modules designed to support long-term success are both available and affordable. As you evaluate potential laboratory information system solutions, be sure to confirm whether the LIS system you’re considering includes the following essential components:

• Rule Engine
• Automation Engine 
• Integration Engine
• Specimen Tracking  
• Lab Billing Management 
• Patient Engagement 
• Outreach (Ordering, Reporting, Supply Ordering, Tracking)
• Document Scanning  
• Send Out Management 
• Business Intelligence 
• Customer Service Management 

With LigoLab, every module and application operates in harmony, delivering a unified laboratory information system software solution designed to meet the complex and evolving needs of modern clinical laboratories, reference labs, and pathology groups.

LIS System Services and Support

After confirming that the laboratory information system under evaluation offers comprehensive functionality, the next step is to assess the LIS vendor’s approach to customer service and support. This is critical, as LIS software support can sometimes involve hidden or unexpected costs for adding users or modules as your lab grows. The last thing you want is to upgrade your pathology lab management system without a clear understanding of potential expenses that could hinder future expansion.

For truly optimized laboratory workflow management, your LIS software partner should act as an extension of your team, offering 24/7 assistance for urgent issues and providing unlimited support and training during standard business hours.

Discover More: Market Differentiation and Unmatched Customer Service - Two Major Reasons Why You Should Consider LigoLab for Your LIS System Upgrade

LigoLab’s Commitment to Independent Laboratories 

Independent clinical laboratories, reference labs, and pathology groups are often underserved within the broader healthcare ecosystem. That’s why choosing a laboratory information system supported by an LIS software vendor that truly understands their unique challenges and operational needs is such a significant advantage.

At LigoLab, our sole focus is the success of independent laboratories. With over 20 years of experience and proven best practices, we have an in-depth understanding of the market dynamics and the medical laboratory solutions that empower labs to scale efficiently and thrive.

To learn more about how LigoLab’s all-in-one LIS system solution can elevate your business, contact us today to connect with a product specialist.

Act Now: Connect with a LigoLab Product Specialist Today!