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Pathology Lab Management 2025 Guide: Best Laboratory Information System Software and Practices
February 5, 2025
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 LIS company startup to now, we’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most dynamic and forward-thinking medical laboratories in the country, and over that time we’ve gained expertise in the LIS laboratory information system software domain that few can match.
Learn 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 RCM) 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, plus the best LIS software solutions these labs have employed to serve their customers and grow their businesses.
Learn More: Essential Anatomic Pathology LIS Software Features to Optimize Laboratory Workflow

LigoLab’s Lab Information System Survey Results
Recently we asked several of our partner labs to participate in a four-question lab information system survey. We wanted 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 systems 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.”
Learn More: LigoLab’s Grossing Workstation Window Makes Per Specimen Level Interaction Possible

Darlene S. (Project Manager - Tampa, FL)
“The addition of laboratory information system 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.”
Learn 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.”
Learn 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 precious time to participate in our pathology LIS systems survey. Our next series post will focus on the challenges, frustrations, and obstacles holding back laboratory growth and how an advanced lab information system/LIS software can help lab directors and managers overcome them.
Learn More: Four Game-Changing Business Strategies to Improve Laboratory Processes
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 ultra-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 start 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 to reach.
Ron Ashkenas, in his Harvard Business Review article “Leading a Midsize Business Through Change,” emphasizes the key issue isn’t how many people are 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 (LIS 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.
Learn More: Navigating the Future of Pathology: The LigoLab Advantage
Choosing the Best LIS and Pathology Lab Management Partner
When selecting your LIS lab system 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.
Learn More: What You Need to Know Before Contracting with a Laboratory Information System (LIS) Company
A Partnership for Long-Term Lab Information System Success
LigoLab’s commitment extends beyond pathology lab software delivery; it includes ongoing research, development, and enhancements tailored to the evolving needs of partner laboratories.
This dedication to innovation ensures that your LIS lab solution is equipped to handle current challenges and future industry changes. Choose the best LIS software partner and achieve operational excellence and sustainable 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.
