How Modern Laboratory Information Systems Can Protect Against External Threats Like Labor Shortages

Editor’s Note: This is part three of a series focused on laboratory staffing challenges and how the best laboratory information system software can help overcome them. 

Expert Strategies and Laboratory Information System Insights to Overcome Today’s Laboratory Staffing Challenges

Welcome to part three of our blog series on overcoming today's toughest laboratory staffing challenges. In this installment, we share expert insights from three seasoned professionals who offer real-world strategies for growing and scaling clinical laboratories and pathology practices amid the ongoing shortage of qualified medical lab technologists.

In part one, we heard from Dr. James Crawford, Senior Vice President for Laboratory Services at Northwell Health, who shared his thoughts on recruitment, compensation, career advancement, and process improvements.

In part two, Bri Spencer, Molecular Lab Manager at Avero Diagnostics, shared insights on how labs can leverage an advanced laboratory information system to automate redundant manual processes, streamline laboratory workflow management, and improve service quality.

In this final chapter, turned to Joseph Guido, an anatomic pathology lab consultant and former lab IT Director with extensive experience using pathology LIS systems. Guido discussed the growing importance of LIS pathology software in healthcare.  

Case Study: A Conversation With LIS System Administrator Kristie Becerra

Why Pathology Lab Management Teams are Under Pressure

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a powerful reminder of the importance of anytime, anywhere access to critical information, especially in healthcare. For medical laboratories, it underscored the urgent need for remote, digital-first collaboration. Even when lab staff was unable to be on-site, the demand for accurate and timely test results never stopped.

Lab leaders quickly recognized that modern diagnostic lab software, especially lab organization software like laboratory information systems, must ensure seamless access and delivery of results, because in most cases, these results drive the decisions that shape patient care.

Results from lab tests inform approximately 70 percent of today's medical decisions. However, producing these results quickly and accurately is becoming increasingly difficult. An ever-growing number of patients and available assays have created a perfect storm, with more specimens headed to the lab every year.

Adding pressure to an already stressed industry is the fact that staffing numbers aren't keeping up with rising test demand. Some estimate that the industry is short 20,000 to 25,000 laboratory technologists.  

On-Demand Webinar: Beat Pathologist Burnout & Combat Staffing Shortages

How a Modern Laboratory Information System Relieves LIS Staffing Stress

When asked about the current industry hiring and staffing crisis, Guido explained that the long-term solution must include advancing laboratory information systems (LIS software) and informatics.

"Implementing the best LIS system technology is the right way for labs to streamline their operations," he said. "From the preanalytical phase, all the way through to post-analytical, a modern medical LIS system can help lab directors and managers fill the gaps created by LIS staffing shortages."

The laboratory information system is lab database software that removes bottlenecks, organizes data, and supports core processes like sample tracking, processing, and reporting. Modern laboratory information systems also offer outreach solutions, laboratory billing solutions, and patient engagement applications such as direct-to-consumer lab testing.

Rules and automation support these next-generation laboratory software systems, creating automated labs with a new level of efficiency that labor-intensive workflows cannot attain. 

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Modern Laboratory Information Systems Will Drive Future Lab Workflow 

Before moving into the consulting world, Guido spent several years with an anatomic pathology group in Colorado, starting as an accessioner, moving into grossing, and ultimately becoming the group's IT Director.

As he moved into pathology lab management, Guido took it upon himself to understand the technology behind the group's medical laboratory information system. He sensed that much of the power in the LIS lab solution wasn't being used and set out to learn more.

His curiosity led to an ongoing dialogue with the group's medical LIS pathology partner, LigoLab. Soon, Guido was spearheading the implementation of anatomic pathology LIS workflow changes he believed would drive business growth and solidify relationships with hospital clients.

According to Guido, advanced laboratory information system software technology is the long-term solution to the current staffing challenges all anatomic pathology groups and clinical laboratories face.

"The workforce gaps make it clear that lab information system technological advances will drive the lab of the future," he said. "At some point soon, LIS lab automation will be a tool we all use, regardless of the department or role."

Get Insight: Automation in Pathology Labs Using Advanced LIS System Software

Removing Redundant, Manual Processes with LIS System Automation

‍With a focus on anatomic pathology software workflow, Guido noted that changes are already evident and that more will come soon, driven by necessity and innovation.

He referenced electronic health records and patient engagement platforms as vehicles that have effectively replaced manual order entry and drastically improved the integrity of data entering and leaving modern laboratory information systems. Additionally, understanding the range of laboratory information system functions is essential for labs aiming to maximize efficiency and data quality.

Setting Up Validation at Accessioning

Guido said consistent data going into the laboratory information system is a critical first step, and that the architecture and flexibility of the LIS software are both essential at this stage.

"With the best laboratory information system software, you can set up a validation step based on rules at accessioning," he said. "This opens the door to customization and client preferences, with the accessioner taking on a quality assurance role before sending the specimen to grossing."

Automating Other Manual Lab Roles

Guido also cited other examples of laboratory information systems and support that can replace or minimize manual lab roles. For example, advanced LIS system integrations can support automated specimen embedding, and voice-to-text systems (pathology dictation software) enable facilities to repurpose transcriptionists for other roles. He also referenced digital pathology as a key driver of this shift.

Industry Insights: Digital Pathology Redefined - Uniting AI, Viewers, and a Robust LIS System for a Seamless Workflow

‍Adding Digital Pathology to LIS Pathology Workflows

Guido is currently consulting an entirely digital pathology group, enabling pathologists to work across time zones and even on multiple continents. He said the key to this arrangement is having a laboratory information system that excels in interoperability and fully integrates with various digital pathology solutions.

"When a lab digitizes its processes and connects its medical laboratory solutions within an integrated laboratory information system workflow, the LIS system eliminates several manual processes," said Guido. "This helps eliminate inefficiencies and redundancies and improves a lab's quality of work. A highly functional LIS system is what makes this possible."

Discover More: Navigating the Future of Pathology - The LigoLab Advantage

Advantages of a Digital Pathology Ecosystem

Guido said the best laboratory information system software should serve as the centerpiece of a digital pathology ecosystem, offering the following advantages:

• More precise interpretations
• Faster diagnoses
• Improved collaboration
• Fewer human errors
• Less costly over time

Case Study: Pathology Lab Management Guide - The Future of Digital Pathology

The Importance of Technical Knowledge and Laboratory Information System LIS Support  

"One of the biggest areas of concern is the shortage of technology leaders who understand how the technology within the lab works," he said. "Labs need to hire these roles or develop current staff to fill critical roles like the LIS System Manager, creating an internal ecosystem."

Guido added that deploying a laboratory information system LIS that is truly supported, with ongoing training, will also have lasting benefits.

"Most often, the limiting factors are how well laboratory personnel understand the anatomic pathology software, how well the laboratory has designed its lab workflow, and how much the LIS company supports the LIS system."

With the LigoLab Informatics Platform and other like-minded LIS software vendors producing modern anatomic pathology software and pathology LIS systems, lab directors and managers can build their digital pathology solutions from a solid foundation while gaining an ally in their fight against staffing shortages.

Get Insight: What You Need to Know Before Contracting with a Laboratory Information System (LIS) Company

How the LigoLab Platform Supports the Latest Digital Pathology Solutions

"An ideal digital pathology ecosystem is one where all of a lab's software systems are interoperable, connecting as an integrated digital lab workflow," said Guido.

LigoLab was ahead of the curve in integrating digital pathology solutions, recognizing early on that enhanced efficiency, faster and smarter case allocation, and greater scalability would be key to advancing this critical subspecialty.

For a closer look at how the LigoLab platform integrates with whole-slide imaging (WSI) systems, check out this informative blog post.

Discover More: Best Practices Guide - Managing LIS System Timelines for Vendor Research and Implementation

LigoLab’s Comprehensive LIS System and Lab Billing Platform

LigoLab is an award-winning provider of innovative end-to-end laboratory information system software for medical laboratories, servicing growing facilities and partnerships nationwide.

As a comprehensive enterprise-grade LIS system and Lab billing platform, the LigoLab solution includes modules for anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, molecular diagnostics, laboratory revenue cycle management, and direct-to-consumer lab testing, all on a powerful, integrated lab database software platform that supports every role, department, and case.

To speak with a laboratory information system specialist about how LigoLab's all-in-one platform can help protect your enterprise from external threats while preparing it for the future of pathology, contact us to set up a discovery call.

Act Now: Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist!

Frequently Asked Questions About LIS Systems and Laboratory Staffing Challenges

How severe is the laboratory staffing shortage, and what is causing it?

Industry estimates suggest the laboratory sector is currently short 20,000 to 25,000 qualified laboratory technologists. Several converging factors drive the shortage: an aging workforce, as experienced med techs retire faster than training programs can produce new ones; limited enrollment capacity in medical laboratory science programs; rising test volumes resulting from population growth and expanded diagnostic capabilities; and other healthcare sectors competing for the same limited pool of entry-level talent.

How can a modern laboratory information system help offset staffing shortages?

A modern LIS system addresses staffing gaps by automating repetitive manual processes, including order entry, specimen accessioning validation, coding, laboratory billing, and result distribution. Rules-based automation ensures consistency and accuracy without relying on manual intervention at every step, allowing existing staff to focus on higher-value tasks that require clinical judgment.

What is LIS system automation, and what processes can it replace or minimize?

LIS system automation leverages predefined rules and logic to automatically execute workflow steps, such as routing specimens, validating data at accessioning, assigning cases, flagging exceptions, and generating reports. It can minimize or replace manual roles, including transcription (through voice-to-text pathology dictation software), specimen embedding coordination, and manual order entry, reducing both labor dependency and the risk of human error.

What is digital pathology, and how does it connect to laboratory staffing?

Digital pathology converts traditional glass slides into high-resolution digital images that pathologists can view, analyze, and share remotely. When integrated with a modern LIS system, digital pathology enables pathologists to work from any location, including different time zones or continents, significantly expanding the available workforce pool and reducing geographic constraints on staffing. It also enables faster case allocation and more efficient collaboration between pathologists.

What role does lab information system interoperability play in a digital pathology ecosystem?

Interoperability enables a lab's LIS system to communicate seamlessly with digital pathology viewers, whole-slide imaging scanners, EHR systems, and other laboratory software systems. Without it, digital pathology workflows become fragmented, requiring manual data transfers that introduce errors and inefficiencies. A fully interoperable medical LIS serves as the centerpiece of the digital pathology ecosystem, ensuring all components work together as a unified, automated workflow.

What is the role of the LIS System Manager, and why is it important?

The LIS System Manager is a technology-literate lab professional who understands how the laboratory information system works, configures it, and optimizes it for the lab's specific workflows. This role is increasingly critical and currently in short supply. Labs that develop or hire for this role can fully leverage their LIS software platform, reduce inefficiencies, and quickly adapt as technology and workflows evolve.

How does LigoLab specifically support labs dealing with staffing shortages?

LigoLab's platform addresses staffing challenges through several mechanisms: rules-based automation that reduces manual intervention across the full lab workflow, digital pathology integration that enables remote pathologist collaboration, interoperability with EHR and patient engagement platforms that eliminate manual order entry, and ongoing training and support from LigoLab's team to ensure lab staff can fully utilize the platform's capabilities. LigoLab also offers laboratory revenue cycle management  automation, reducing the lab billing team's manual workload.

What should labs look for when evaluating LIS vendors for long-term staffing resilience?

It’s recommended to evaluate laboratory information system vendors on three criteria: the depth of their automation capabilities across pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical workflows; their interoperability with digital pathology and EHR systems; and the quality of their ongoing support and training. A vendor that provides responsive, knowledgeable support and invests in helping labs maximize the LIS system is a long-term partner, not just a software seller.