Pathology Lab Management 2025 Guide: Best Laboratory Information System Software and Practices

What’s the point of having the best laboratory information system and best LIS software practices if you don’t share them with others?

At LigoLab, as a proud supplier of advanced pathology lab software, we’ve been helping our anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, and molecular diagnostics business partners grow and thrive since 2006. 

From our humble beginnings as a startup LIS company to now, we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most dynamic and forward-thinking medical laboratories in the country. Over that time, we’ve gained expertise in the LIS laboratory information system software domain that few can match.

Discover More: LigoLab - Shaping the Future of Clinical Labs & Pathology Groups

We maintain regular contact with our partner labs and take ownership of all lab informatics with our all-in-one medical LIS and laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) platform, which continues to evolve daily, helping our partners deliver new and better ways to serve their customers and support the best patient care. In turn, these same labs take it upon themselves to constantly evaluate their internal lab information system and laboratory billing processes. 

Nothing is static. 

This blog post will be the first in a series highlighting the challenges labs continue to face, and it will focus on the best LIS software solutions these labs have employed to serve their customers and grow their businesses. 

Discover More: Essential Anatomic Pathology LIS Software Features to Optimize Laboratory Workflow

LigoLab’s LIS System Survey Results

Recently, we asked several of our partners to participate in a four-question survey focused on the LIS system. Our goal was to fully understand how they utilize the LigoLab informatics platform to create more laboratory workflow management efficiency and increase overall organizational productivity.

Here is a sample of the responses we received to the following question. 

What recent pathology lab management workflow changes supported by your LIS system have made the biggest difference in efficiency and throughput?

Shamim A. (LIS Administrator- San Diego, CA)

“The biggest change we’ve made to our lab workflow has been increased usage of LigoLab’s send-out module and reworking our CPT generation.”

“The send-out module is used more often now since we've added a few clients that require further testing sent to reference labs. This led to the addition of various report template macros, an addendum process, and the creation of dynamic reports capable of tracking the additional testing ordered on send-out cases. This has made a huge difference and has been very useful to us.”

“Initially, we had CPT generation configured on a lab test basis, but with increased surgical and non-gynecologic cytology work over the last year, it made more sense to consolidate CPT generation on a site-by-site basis.” 

“Wherever it was possible, we simplified the grossing process by tying in multiple fields to the operation performed on a given specimen (i.e., fine-needle aspiration, biopsy, etc.). Depending upon the specimen type, different operations generate CPTs and other associated templates accordingly. This has greatly customized and simplified the grossing process, and we've also tied this CPT automation into our send-out processes where applicable.”

Discover More: LigoLab’s Grossing Workstation Window Makes Per-Specimen Level Interaction Possible 

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Darlene S. (Project Manager - Tampa, FL)

“The addition of laboratory information system software specimen tracking functionality to manage cases. We now track the entire life cycle of cases and all their associated specimens from order entry to grossing, processing, embedding, microtome, staining, histology case assembly, case distribution, case sign-out, and archival.”  

Discover More: How LigoLab’s Pathology Specimen Tracking System Software is Reducing Lab Errors & Enhancing Patient Safety

Roxane R. (Chief Administrative Officer - Baton Rouge, LA)

“‍Barcoded specimens, cassettes, and slides in histology. In addition to creating specimen security and sample tracking, we eliminated the manual labor associated with the histology process, which enabled us to increase our efficiency and eliminate labeling errors.”

Discover More: The Role of Anatomic Pathology LIS Software in Optimizing Laboratory Workflow Management

Steve F. (LIS Administrator - Santa Fe Springs, CA)

“‍We've added batch scanning to worklists in our microbiology department. This allows our micro techs to scan in the samples they have in front of them to a worklist, versus trying to locate the sample from a queue and add it to a worklist.”

Pam E. (Billing Analyst - Pensacola, FL)

“We brought LEAN methodology into our practice to help with efficiency and reduce waste.”

We thank platform users who took the time to participate in our survey of pathology LIS systems. Our next post in the series will focus on the challenges, frustrations, and obstacles to laboratory growth and how an advanced LIS system can help lab directors and managers overcome them.

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Tips for Growing a Large-Scale Lab Operation

To those lab operators who have successfully grown their start-up anatomic pathology practices or clinical/reference laboratories into thriving mid-sized businesses with solid reputations and client bases, congratulations are in order. That’s quite an achievement in today's challenging lab industry environment.

Now the question becomes, “How do we go from a successful mid-sized company to a large-scale business enterprise?”

First, understand that transitioning from a mid-sized to a large-scale lab presents new obstacles. Next, consider these key strategies as you begin strategizing the next steps.

Avoid Decision Paralysis

As a smaller operation, decisions likely involve input from all stakeholders. While engagement is important, it can sometimes lead to decision paralysis when consensus is difficult. 

Ron Ashkenas, in his Harvard Business Review article “Leading a Midsize Business Through Change,” emphasizes that the key issue isn’t the number of people involved but how they are involved. He suggests a small and trusted leadership team, such as the CEO and key executives, make core decisions. After reaching a decision, the broader team should focus on communication and implementation. Following this approach can streamline decision-making and prevent delays.

Guiding Principles for Managing Change

Ashkenas offers two principles for businesses navigating change: First, be clear on whether you are gathering input or making a decision. Second, ensure that a dedicated leader is engaged throughout the process. Applying these principles to your lab’s context will help clarify roles and responsibilities during growth and change.

Streamline with Integrated Laboratory Information Systems 

One of the common pitfalls for growing labs is the use of multiple, disparate laboratory software systems. This “laboratory information system monster” creates inefficiencies, data silos, and maintenance challenges. 

Integrated LIS system software platforms, such as the LigoLab Informatics Platform, offer an all-in-one LIS software solution by unifying all departments and processes into a single source of informatics truth. 

For example, LigoLab’s comprehensive platform includes over a dozen embedded modules designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and support growth. These modules range from integration engines and laboratory outreach solutions to business intelligence and advanced automation, ensuring that all aspects of your lab’s operations are cohesive and efficient.

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

Choosing the Best Laboratory Information System Software Partner

When selecting your LIS lab provider, it’s essential to differentiate between traditional LIS vendors and true laboratory informatics partners. 

Legacy pathology LIS systems often come with large upfront costs, hidden fees, and limited responsiveness to user feedback. In contrast, LigoLab’s approach is aligned with your lab’s growth, offering tiered pricing based on testing volume with no upfront capital investment required. This partnership LIS model supports your lab’s scalability without financial penalties, ensuring the full pathology software suite is available without additional costs for new modules or users.

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

A Partnership for Long-Term LIS System Success

LigoLab’s commitment extends beyond pathology lab software to include ongoing research, development, and enhancements tailored to the evolving needs of partner laboratories. 

By prioritizing innovation, our LIS lab solution is prepared to meet today’s challenges and adapt to tomorrow’s industry shifts. By partnering with the best laboratory information system software providers, labs can drive operational excellence and long-term growth.

LigoLab’s all-in-one informatics solution fully supports the lab information system, laboratory revenue cycle management, and direct-to-consumer lab testing workflow. Consider scheduling a discovery call with a talented product specialist to learn more. 

Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist