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

What’s the value of having the best laboratory information system software and LIS lab strategies if you don’t share them with others to drive better outcomes overall?

LigoLab, a proud supplier of advanced clinical and pathology lab software, has been helping its anatomic pathology, clinical laboratory, and molecular diagnostics customers grow and thrive since 2006. From humble beginnings as a startup LIS company to today, LigoLab has been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most dynamic and forward-thinking medical laboratories in the country, gaining expertise in the LIS software and laboratory workflow management domain that few can match.

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

LigoLab maintains regular contact with its partner labs and takes ownership of all their informatics with its comprehensive, all-in-one medical LIS and laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) platform. The Future-ready lab information system continues to evolve daily, helping customers deliver new and improved ways to serve their patients and support the best care. In turn, these same labs constantly evaluate their internal LIS system and lab billing processes. Nothing is static.

This blog post is the first in a series that highlights ongoing lab challenges and the modern medical LIS software solutions that have effectively addressed them. The post will summarize key takeaways from these LIS lab solutions to help readers apply similar strategies in their own lab businesses.

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

LigoLab’s LIS System Survey Results

LigoLab asked several customers to participate in a four-question survey focused on the utilization of their lab information system. The goal was to fully understand how they use the all-in-one informatics platform to improve laboratory workflow management efficiency and increase overall organizational productivity.

Survey 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)

We significantly expanded our use of LigoLab’s send-out module and optimized our CPT generation workflows, resulting in major operational improvements.

The send-out module became increasingly important as we added new clients requiring additional testing through reference laboratories. This led to the development of enhanced report template macros, a more efficient addendum process, and dynamic reporting capabilities that track additional testing associated with send-out cases. The impact on workflow efficiency has been substantial.

At the same time, we refined our CPT generation strategy. Originally, CPT codes were configured on a per-test basis. As surgical pathology and non-gynecologic cytology volumes increased, it became more practical to organize CPT generation by specimen site. We also streamlined the grossing process by linking multiple fields and workflows to specific specimen operations, such as biopsies and fine-needle aspirations. Based on the specimen type, the lab information system now automatically generates the appropriate CPT codes and corresponding templates. This level of automation has greatly customized and simplified our grossing workflow while seamlessly integrating CPT generation into applicable send-out processes.

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

Darlene S. (Project Manager, Tampa, FL)

The addition of laboratory information system software specimen tracking functionality to manage cases. We now track the entire lifecycle 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 introduced batch scanning capabilities into microbiology department worklists, enabling technicians to quickly scan specimens directly into a worklist from their bench rather than manually searching for and adding samples from a queue. This enhancement has streamlined workflow efficiency, reduced manual steps, and improved the speed of overall specimen processing.

Pam E. (Billing Analyst - Pensacola, FL)

We applied LEAN methodology to boost efficiency and reduce waste.

LigoLab thanks all platform users who participated in the LIS system survey. In summary, the main takeaways highlight successful laboratory workflows. The next post will focus on the specific challenges labs face and how advanced laboratory information systems can help directors and managers overcome them.

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Tips for Growing a Large-Scale Lab Operation

To lab operators who have successfully expanded start-up anatomic pathology practices or clinical and reference laboratories into successful mid-sized businesses, congratulations. It’s a significant accomplishment in today’s challenging laboratory environment.

The next question is: how can you grow a successful mid-sized company into a large-scale business enterprise?

Avoid Decision Paralysis

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

In his Harvard Business Review article “Leading a Midsize Business Through Change,” Ron Ashkenas argued that successful change management depends less on the number of people involved and more on how they participate in the process. He recommended that a small, trusted leadership group, including the CEO and key executives, handle core decision-making. Once those decisions are finalized, the broader organization can concentrate on communication, execution, and adoption. According to Ashkenas, this structure helps accelerate decision-making and minimizes costly delays. 

Guiding Principles for Managing Change

Ashkenas offered 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 remains engaged throughout the process. Applying these principles to your lab's context will help clarify roles and responsibilities during periods of growth and transition.

Streamline With Integrated Laboratory Information Systems

One common pitfall 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 software platforms, such as the all-in-one LigoLab Informatics Platform, offer a comprehensive solution by unifying departments and processes into a single source of the informatics truth. LigoLab's platform features over a dozen embedded modules designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and support growth, ranging from integration engines and laboratory outreach solutions to business intelligence and advanced automation.

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 is essential to differentiate between traditional LIS vendors and true laboratory informatics partners.

Legacy clinical and pathology LIS systems often come with high 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 medical LIS model supports scalability without financial penalties, ensuring the full diagnostic lab software suite is available at no additional cost 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 and clinical laboratory management software to include ongoing research, development, and enhancements tailored to the evolving needs of its customers. By prioritizing innovation, LigoLab's advanced LIS medical solution is prepared to meet today's challenges and adapt to tomorrow's industry shifts.

LigoLab's all-in-one informatics platform fully supports the laboratory information system, laboratory revenue cycle management, and direct-to-consumer lab testing workflows.

Ready to Take Your Lab to the Next Level?

Consider scheduling a discovery call with a LigoLab product specialist to learn more about the platform and how it can help your lab achieve its growth goals.

Take Action: Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist

Frequently Asked Questions About Pathology Lab Management and Laboratory Information System Software Best Practices

What are the most impactful LIS system workflow changes labs can make to improve efficiency?

Based on LigoLab's customer survey, the most impactful changes are: implementing end-to-end specimen tracking, automating CPT generation, introducing barcoded specimens and cassettes, adding batch scanning to department worklists, and applying LEAN methodology to reduce waste. These changes use LIS software to minimize manual effort, increase throughput, and demonstrate proven strategies for lab efficiency.

How does specimen tracking within an LIS system improve lab operations?

Full lifecycle specimen tracking, from order entry through grossing, processing, staining, assembly, sign-out, and archival, gives lab staff real-time visibility into every case and specimen. It reduces the risk of errors, prevents mislabeling, and provides the audit trail needed for compliance and quality assurance.

What challenges do mid-sized labs face when scaling to a large-scale enterprise?

Common challenges include decision paralysis caused by too many stakeholders in the decision-making process, operational inefficiencies from using multiple disconnected laboratory software systems, data silos that hinder visibility, and the financial burden of legacy LIS systems that charge per seat, per module, or per upgrade as volumes grow.

How does an integrated LIS software platform support lab growth?

An integrated platform like LigoLab's unifies all departments and processes, including specimen tracking, laboratory workflow management, lab billing, and direct-to-consumer lab testing, within a single informatics infrastructure. It eliminates data silos, reduces maintenance complexity, and gives lab leadership a single source of truth for operational and financial decision-making.

What should labs look for when selecting a laboratory information system software partner?

Labs should look for a partner that offers transparent, volume-based pricing with no hidden fees or upfront capital requirements, a platform that scales without financial penalties, responsive customer support, ongoing research and development investment, and a genuine commitment to aligning the vendor's success with the lab's long-term growth, rather than simply selling software.

How does LigoLab's pricing model support lab scalability?

LigoLab bases its tiered pricing model on testing volume rather than per-seat or per-module charges. That means labs can add users, modules, and capabilities as they grow without incurring proportional cost increases, making it a financially sustainable LIS model for both growing startups and large enterprise labs.

What is LEAN methodology, and how does it apply to pathology lab management?

LEAN methodology is a process improvement framework that focuses on eliminating waste and maximizing value in operational workflows. In a lab context, applying LEAN principles alongside advanced LIS software, such as automated specimen routing, batch scanning, and digital workflows, helps labs identify and remove inefficiencies, reduce turnaround times, and improve both staff productivity and patient outcomes.