Remembering COVID: Is Your Clinical Laboratory Ready to Support The Biden Administration’s COVID Testing Plan?

Editor's Note: On May 11, 2023, the World Health Organization officially declared the end of the global COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. While many have moved on, healthcare professionals, particularly those in laboratory information systems (LIS) and pathology lab management, must continue to reflect on lessons learned to better prepare for future infectious disease threats.

Learn More: End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration

At LigoLab, supporting our lab partners throughout the pandemic was a top priority. We adapted to their evolving needs, delivering innovative LIS software solutions to help them navigate unprecedented challenges, from streamlining laboratory workflow management to enhancing patient and provider safety. A defining aspect of this journey was capturing, in real time, the resilience of our partners on the front lines. 

As we honor their dedication, let's revisit a key moment from January 2021 to reflect on the impact of COVID-19 and how it shaped the future of medical LIS technology.

What it Takes to Support the Latest COVID-19 Testing Initiatives

Clinical laboratories across the country stood to benefit from a significant expansion of the nation's coronavirus testing efforts as part of President Biden's proposed American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion emergency legislative package designed to address the mounting damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposal allocated $50 billion to expand U.S. testing capacity, along with an additional $30 billion to bolster the federal Disaster Relief Fund and accelerate production of testing supplies and protective equipment.

"Testing is a critical strategy for controlling the spread of COVID-19, and the U.S. is still not using it effectively," President Biden noted at the time. The plan called for a massive expansion of diagnostic testing, including the purchase of rapid tests, the expansion of testing capacity, and the support of regular testing protocols for schools and local government agencies, enabling schools to reopen safely and providing greater protection for Americans in high-risk settings such as prisons and long-term care facilities.

Modern Diagnostic Lab Software Is Needed to Meet the Moment

In the months since the pandemic began, several LigoLab customers identified the need to invest in advanced pathology software to minimize errors, increase capacity, and improve turnaround times in response to unprecedented demand and the need for better patient care.

Case Study: Remembering COVID: A Medical Lab’s Journey to One Million COVID-19 Tests

With vaccine rollout underway but taking time, frequent direct-to-consumer lab testing remained essential for safely reopening schools and ensuring employees could return to work with confidence. That raised a critical question for lab leaders everywhere.

Is Your Clinical Laboratory Ready?

Five Questions Every Lab Leader Should Ask

1. Does your lab have a responsive LIS system software partner?

Can your laboratory information system software provider deliver upgrades, such as a direct-to-consumer lab testing portal that supports a streamlined electronic workflow, connects directly with patients, replaces paper forms, eliminates manual order entry, and covers specimen collection, laboratory processing, and test result reporting?

2. Can your laboratory information system support automated state reporting?

Does your medical laboratory information system create automated labs by supporting the automatic delivery of state reporting through established electronic connections with public health departments in all 50 states?

3. Does your LIS software have the connectivity for high-volume pooled testing?

Does your laboratory information system software have the flexibility and connectivity to support high-volume testing with pooled samples?

4. Can your lab billing solution handle escalated COVID-19 claims?

Can your organization leverage its laboratory billing/lab revenue cycle management solution to identify and process uninsured COVID-19 patients and automate large portions of the laboratory billing process/RCM cycle to handle escalated claims volume?

Discover More: Remembering COVID: Process Thousands of HRSA Patients in Minutes with LigoLab

‍Introducing TestDirectly: The All-in-One Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Platform

A Purpose-Built Solution for Modern Lab Testing Demands

TestDirectly is a cutting-edge direct-to-consumer lab testing solution and a new addition to the comprehensive and flexible LigoLab Informatics Platform. It turns clinical labs into direct-to-consumer labs. By design, TestDirectly simplifies the entire direct-to-consumer lab testing process, from patient registration to results delivery, and everything in between.

This powerful diagnostic lab software tool fully integrates with all leading laboratory information system software and laboratory billing solutions, empowering testing organizations to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance while expanding their outreach.

Discover More: Expand Laboratory Services to the Home and Improve Patient Engagement with New Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Business Models

Key Features and Benefits of TestDirectly

Maximizes Testing Efficiency

• Automates the entire clinical lab workflow, minimizing manual tasks
• Enhances lab productivity and accelerates turnaround times
• Supports various collection methods, including drive-through, on-site, and at-home testing

Expands Accessibility and Revenue Opportunities

• Facilitates direct-to-consumer lab testing and organizational testing services
• Enables patient self-registration and appointment scheduling
• Supports bulk ordering for high-volume testing events

Enhances Patient and Provider Communication

• Automates notifications via email and SMS
• Provides real-time results and analytics for public health agencies, employers, and more
• Generates on-demand travel documents for international testing requirements

Optimizes Data Management and Compliance

• Ensures accurate lab billing by capturing patient demographics and insurance information upfront
• Reduces errors with electronic requisitions, specimen barcoding, and tracking
• Supports live insurance eligibility verification and digital ID authentication

Improves Safety and Reduces Workload

• Minimizes exposure risks for staff and patients
• Automates patient support, reducing the customer service burden
• Eliminates manual order entry, saving time and resources

With TestDirectly, laboratories can streamline operations, expand testing capabilities, and unlock new revenue streams, all while delivering a seamless, secure, and efficient direct-to-consumer lab testing experience for patients and providers alike.

Discover More: What is the Best LIS for Molecular Testing Labs?

Ready to Prepare Your Lab for the Next Public Health Challenge?

To learn more about LigoLab's pathology software and clinical laboratory management solutions, schedule a laboratory information system software demonstration with a product specialist today.

Act Now: Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist!

LigoLab Informatics Platform + TestDirectly

The LigoLab Informatics Platform is an all-in-one laboratory information system (LIS) and laboratory revenue cycle management (lab RCM) solution designed to power modern clinical, anatomic pathology, and molecular laboratories. Built on a single, unified lab database software architecture, LigoLab eliminates silos by seamlessly connecting operational and financial workflows, from order entry through final billing and reporting. Its configurable, rules-driven workflow engine automates routine tasks, reduces manual touchpoints, and improves turnaround times while enhancing accuracy and compliance. With real-time analytics, customizable dashboards, and robust interoperability capabilities, laboratories gain complete visibility into performance metrics, enabling smarter decision-making and sustainable growth.

Complementing the platform is TestDirectly, LigoLab’s direct-to-consumer lab testing portal. Fully integrated with the core LIS application, TestDirectly digitizes patient engagement by enabling online test ordering, self-registration, appointment scheduling, and secure result delivery. It streamlines front-end operations, reduces administrative burden, and expands access to care while supporting new revenue opportunities for laboratories. 

Together, LigoLab and TestDirectly maximize operational efficiency, financial performance, and a modern, patient-centric testing experience.