Blog
How LIS Software Helps Pathologists Sign-Out Anatomic Pathology Cases Faster
January 8, 2023
We invite you to come along as Implementations Director Petros Martirosian demonstrates how LigoLab Operating Platform, a laboratory information system (LIS) that includes an interwoven and silo-free module for laboratory revenue cycle management (RCM), helps pathologists review more cases and sign them out faster. In the video tutorial and screenshots that follow, he’ll showcase the LIS system’s intuitive user-friendly interface, and how the LIS software minimizes clicks, a very important aspect for pathologists in terms of productivity and turnaround times.
Martirosian starts by explaining that basic anatomic pathology case scenarios will be highlighted during the tutorial. The scenarios include:
- Sign-out with a diagnosis template
- Sign-out with a camera
- Sign-out without a camera
- Sign-out while using dictation software
Here’s the tutorial in its entirety, followed by screenshots that highlight important aspects of the pathologist laboratory workflow at each stage.
General Anatomic Pathology Case Sign-Out Video
Launching the LIS Software and the Pathologist Queue
To begin, Martirosian launches the LIS software and logs in. Upon doing so, he’s taken directly to the Pathologist Queue in the Anatomic Pathology module, where all of the cases assigned to the pathologist are listed.
LIS Software Sign-Out with a Diagnosis Template
Martirosian starts the tutorial by demonstrating how the pathologist signs out a case with a diagnosis template. First, he takes a slide and scans it into the LIS system with a barcode scanner. The scan automatically opens up a Microscopic Surgical Template with the cursor already positioned in the Final Diagnosis field.
This is where the pathologist enters a preconfigured template code and then hits the space bar. Upon doing so, the LIS automatically populates a Microscopic Description, a Final Diagnosis, and a Report Comment. This action also prompts the LIS to add the appropriate CPT and ICD codes for the case. Additionally, the data also automatically populates within the Lab Report.
Next, the pathologist clicks the “Release” button located directly below the Lab Report. This brings up a Microscopic Pre-release Checklist window that provides a last-minute display of all relevant information. If for example, an interoperative consultation has yet to be performed, that notification would appear here.
It’s important to note that the Pre-release Checklist is an optional window and can be disabled if the pathologist prefers this.
After this final review of the case, the pathologist simply clicks “Ok” to release the case and return to the Pathologist Queue where all of his or her remaining cases are located.
As you can see, the LigoLab Platform and the Pathologist Queue are designed to enable quick sign-outs that require only a few intuitive steps to go from case review to case release.
LIS Software Sign-Out with a Microscope Camera
The tutorial continues with Martirosian selecting a second slide and scanning that slide into the LIS system. Like before, the scan prompts the LIS to open the Microscopic Surgical Template. From here, the pathologist can capture an image directly from a microscope camera integrated into the LIS system by clicking on the “Camera” icon located on the right side of the template.
After clicking on the icon, the LIS displays the image shown through the microscope camera. The pathologist can then adjust the camera before capturing the desired image by clicking on the “Camera” icon located in the microscope camera window shown below.
With this action, the image is automatically added to the case. The pathologist then has the option to add a quick description and annotations to the image before clicking “Save.”
Once saved, the image is automatically dropped into the Lab Report. The pathologist next enters a preconfigured template code into the Final Diagnosis field (like before) to automatically populate that field plus the Microscopic Description and the Report Comment fields. Additionally, the proper CPT and ICD codes are also automatically assigned to the case with this action.
At this point, the pathologist releases the case, reviews the Microscopic Pre-release Checklist, and then clicks “Ok” to sign out the case and remove it from the Pathologist Queue.
LIS Software Sign-Out without a Microscope Camera
Next Martirosian demonstrates how to insert an image file captured by an external source into a Lab Report. He scans in a third slide and the Microscopic Surgical Template appears. This time, instead of clicking on the “Camera icon, he clicks on the “Folder” icon located directly to the left (see below). This action opens a window that allows the pathologist to navigate local folders on his or her workstation and select the desired image to be added to the Lab Report.
From here, Martirosian chooses an image and then hits “Select.” This causes the “Add/Modify Image” window to appear, where he can once again add a quick description or annotations to the image before clicking “Save,” which automatically adds the image to the Lab Report.
Martirosian then demonstrates how a pathologist who may have forgotten the correct template code for the case can choose from a list of preconfigured templates from the Final Diagnosis Template Dropdown Menu.
Once the correct template code has been identified, the pathologist double-clicks on the template to add it to the case, and this automatically populates all of the relevant information.
From here the pathologist hits “Release” at the bottom of the Lab Report and “Ok” after reviewing the Microscopic Pre-release Checklist to release the case from the Pathologist Queue.
LIS Software Sign-Out with Dictation
For his final example of how to use the LIS system to speed up case reviews and sign-outs, Martirosian demonstrates how the LIS supports a hands-free sign-out with dictation software. In this example, he only uses his voice to navigate through the LIS and sign out a case.
Martirosian begins by scanning a slide into the LIS system. The scan opens the Microscopic Surgical Template. He next enables the dictation software integrated into the LIS and with only his voice populates the Final Diagnosis field.
From there he says “Open Capture,” “Capture Image, ” “Save Image,” and “Release Report” to quickly sign out of the case without ever touching the workstation keyboard.
LigoLab’s All-in-One Anatomic Pathology Software Solution
LigoLab has been providing its anatomic pathology lab partners with the industry’s most efficient AP/LIS for 16-plus years. In fact, the anatomic pathology module remains the centerpiece of a comprehensive operating platform that supports all diagnostic disciplines (including clinical laboratory, molecular diagnostics, genomics, and toxicology testing). To learn how the LIS system supports pathology groups from quick order entry to swift result entry and sign-out (plus everything in between) we invite you to review the following two links or to "Request a Demo" by filling out our short form below the links.
