Blog
Lab Organization Software
September 23, 2024
With the scope of modern lab workflow, from specimen samples and their safekeeping to testing and result reporting, manual clinical laboratory data processing is susceptible to mistakes and mishandling.
To avoid any possibility of errors, labs are modernizing and turning toward advanced technology and cutting-edge pathology reporting software to ensure fast and efficient clinical lab workflow within the medical lab.
This article will cover the basics of pathology management software and the features that a pathology lab management system should possess. It will also outline the benefits of using such pathology lab reporting software.
Learn More: Best Pathology Lab Reporting Software - Buyers Guide and Checklist
Enhancing Lab Workflow Management in a Medical Laboratory
Managing laboratory records is an integral part of all clinical laboratories and pathology practices, no matter the testing discipline.
A lab technician has multiple time-consuming tasks to perform, such as preparing samples and processing them. These extensive processes are prone to human error, with consequences for effectiveness, productivity, and safety. Pathology software, specifically software with a modern pathology specimen tracking system, comes in handy for each of these steps.
Learn More: How Pathology Specimen Tracking System Software is Reducing Lab Errors & Enhancing Patient Safety
Aside from just conducting sample analysis, laboratory employees need to effectively manage their time, efforts, costs, and equipment usage.
Today, many labs use either a laboratory information system (LIS abbreviation medical) or a laboratory information management system (LIMS full form) as lab organization software. LIS systems primarily focus on the specimen test results and the laboratory reports, while LIMS lab management software most often helps with the handling and managing of batch samples in non-clinical laboratory environments (food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, etc.).
The type of laboratory software used mostly depends on the type of laboratory and its need for a lab sample management system. Overall, though, today’s information systems and data management solutions contain at least some aspects that are needed for every laboratory, no matter what it specializes in.
What is Pathology Management Software?
Pathology management software is used in labs for storing, processing, and reporting on a large number of samples. With the help of advanced pathology software, labs can significantly automate lab workflow, expertly manage sample tracking, and neatly keep records while also integrating instruments and making sure that they all work properly.
The lab workflow process of medical laboratories can be divided into five main steps:
- Sample preparation and logging them into the pathology management software
- Assigning, scheduling, and tracking the samples through the process of analysis
- Actual processing guided by quality control measures at every stage
- Analysis and storage of raw data
- Inspection, approval, and generation of reports for the client, the patient, and further analysis
Each of these steps further contains more detailed step-by-step processes. Advanced pathology management software is designed to comply with and improve all of them.
Sample Management
A pathology lab management system with specimen tracking software helps labs with sample intake procedures, safekeeping of the samples in the right conditions, storage, organized sample tracking, data quality, and sample notifications at each stage of the lab workflow.
The specimen tracking solution supported by the pathology report software ensures that each sample goes through the analysis process without being mishandled, contaminated, or mislabeled. With it, labs can be sure that they have quality clinical laboratory records that comply with all medical regulations.
Team and Instruments Management
Apart from specimen management and tracking, pathology management software can track and audit instruments to ensure their correct and efficient usage, inform on certain dysfunctionality, or keep track of storage.
Another great feature found in advanced pathology software is its ability to ensure efficient lab workflow by calculating timeframes and the use of resources, allowing lab technicians to productively direct their efforts.
Reports and Analysis
Aside from laboratory sample management, analysis of samples and reliable results are the bedrock of every laboratory. Pathology lab reporting software (for example, a lab LIMS or LIS system), aided by a specimen tracking system, can make sure that all the information from the tests is organized, analyzed into a comprehensive report, and properly shared among stakeholders.
Learn More: How Anatomic Pathology LIS Software Helps Pathologists Sign-Out Cases Faster
Data Storage and Sharing
The next big aspect that a lab information system or lab LIMS software helps with is the ability to organize a lab’s storage capabilities. An example of this is always knowing where and in what stage of the process a particular specimen is, and then being able to share this data instantly amongst lab personnel.
.webp)
Compliance with Regulations
An advanced LIS laboratory information system or laboratory information management system ensures that laboratory data and handling meets regulatory requirements. This helps laboratory technicians focus on the process by confidently knowing that all safety measures are being addressed and met.
Overall, laboratory information systems and laboratory information management systems LIMS help labs with accuracy, efficiency, management, and compliance.
Benefits of Pathology Management Software
The best pathology management software offers a range of benefits to the medical lab. These benefits include:
- Accurate records of lab specimens, their storage, and pending processes
- Critical information about storage, expiration dates, and proper handling
- Proper tracking of lab inventory, equipment, and timeframes
- Automation of processes, lab workflow, and workforce allocation
- Accurate reporting of sample analysis
- Assistance with pending tasks and next steps for each testing process
- Secure and interoperable pathology lab management
- Efficient sharing of results and reports with others (clients, patients, other healthcare institutions, etc.)
Pathology Management Software with Laboratory Billing Integration
Another integral part of clinical lab work and lab organization software is the laboratory billing process. With that in mind, modern LIS systems and lab LIMS software have lab billing (laboratory revenue cycle management) integration features. Laboratory billing consists of charges, collections, ICD and CPT codes, insurance, denials, claims, and more. Modern laboratory billing software turns what used to be a tedious task involving math, accounting, and coding into an automated process with minimal miscalculations. Advanced laboratory billing solutions allow for the adding, removing, and editing of components based on lab revenue cycle management (lab RCM) needs.
Lab LIMS and medical LIS with integrated lab billing functionality offer laboratory executives a big advantage, and that’s the opportunity to see a complete financial picture accompanied by metrics, graphics, and statistics. Furthermore, these advanced laboratory software systems can share financial details in real-time, making it easy for the management team to navigate through operations and finances and easily locate aspects or areas in need of improvement.
Learn More: Lab Revenue Cycle Management (Lab RCM) Solutions for Laboratories
Final Thoughts on Information Systems and Data Management
With all of their pathology management software features, LIS laboratory information systems and LIMS lab management software allow clinical laboratories and pathology practices to oversee, navigate, and allocate their workload, processes, reports, and finances.
These lab organization software can help with sample management, team and instruments management, reports and analysis, data storage, and sharing. Furthermore, the best LIS software and lab LIMS systems have integrated compliance and regulations features and also offer laboratory billing support. With that, the lab’s employees can focus more on the tasks they are skilled at, being confident that every step of the analysis is supported by a modern and comprehensive laboratory information system software.
White Paper: The Connected Laboratory: Leveraging LIS & RCM to Grow Your Business
