News
Remembering COVID: LigoLab’s LIS & RCM Informatics Platform Supports Pooled Testing
February 7, 2025

On May 11, 2023, the World Health Organization officially declared the end of the global COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. While many have welcomed a return to normalcy, professionals in healthcare - particularly those who work with laboratory information systems (LIS systems) and pathology lab management - understand the importance of reflecting on the challenges and 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, our top priority throughout the pandemic was supporting our lab partners with creative new LIS software applications and workflows. We adapted swiftly, delivering innovative pathology lab software solutions to meet rapidly evolving demands, optimize lab workflows, and ensure safety for patients and providers.
Learn More: Best Pathology Lab Reporting Software - 2025 Buyers Guide and Checklist
Among the many stories of resilience, what follows is an example that highlights LigoLab’s rapid pathology software development capabilities when one or more of its lab partners requests a new lab information system, laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management), or direct-to-consumer lab testing (TestDirectly) feature or function to operate more efficiently and effectively.
White Paper: Maximizing Your Lab’s Profitability: The Case for In-House Lab Billing
As we honor the dedication of healthcare and lab professionals who navigated these challenges daily, we invite you to revisit this LigoLab news release, originally published on November 2, 2020. Let’s carry these lessons learned during the COVID pandemic forward and build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system.
LigoLab Announces LIS System Support for Pooled Testing Workflows
Los Angeles, CA - There are clear advantages for medical laboratories employing modern laboratory information systems/LIS software that can support a COVID-19 PCR pooled testing strategy targeting asymptomatic individuals.
Pooled testing, which involves the mixing of multiple specimens together into one batch sample, enables clinical labs to boost their testing capacity, improve turnaround times, conserve testing kits and other supplies, and reduce the cost per test.
The LigoLab LIS & RCM Laboratory Informatics Platform has pooled testing technology built into its clinical module to help laboratories increase productivity and throughput. The platform supports tracking multiple specimens in one well and retesting (reflex testing) a pooled sample if results show positivity for the coronavirus.
“Without robust laboratory information system functions and the most modern specimen tracking capabilities, the retesting of a positive pooled sample and the likelihood of errors become real barriers for labs,” said LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian.
A Closer Look at the Molecular Lab Software Workflow for Pooled Testing
Here’s an example of a LIS system/molecular lab software workflow using LigoLab’s pooled testing functionality.
After accessioning, barcode labels are printed and placed on each specimen bottle. These labels serve as the LIS lab specimen ID and enable the full traceability of the batched samples throughout processing.
Next, the lab information system maps multiple specimens in a well by scanning the specimen IDs and using an on-screen visual representation of a rack that includes each well on a plate. The scanned barcodes and other relevant case information populate each well on the screen. When samples are pooled, multiple barcodes of specimens appear visually in each well.
“The automation of plate mapping in the LIS system streamlines the process and cuts out the potential for errors because it prevents the same specimen ID from being in multiple locations,” said Avunjian. “Within minutes, users can accurately map a 96-well plate with multiple specimens in each well. This translates into seamless tracking of the pooled samples from mapping through to the resulting stage.”
Avunjian also said LigoLab’s team of developers will next build out functionality to enable a camera to instantly scan every specimen barcode on an entire plate, making the process even faster.
Once the entire plate is populated with the relevant data, a CSV file is created and transmitted to the testing instrument.
After processing, the test result is reviewed and auto-verified.
If negative, the result is automatically routed by LigoLab’s interface engine from the testing instrument back to the lab information system where a report is created and immediately delivered to the patient, physician, and public health agency.
Learn More: What is the Best LIS for Molecular Testing Labs?
If a positive or inconclusive test result is obtained, the pooled sample is reprocessed, with each specimen from the original pool separated and retested independently.
“The LigoLab platform has the molecular lab software connectivity and flexibility required for testing pooled samples and the built-in interface engine ties it all together,” continued Avunjian. “The platform is designed for high-volume testing. It integrates with all LIS systems, laboratory billing solutions, instruments, robotics, and other automation platforms to allow for quick, streamlined, and error-free processing in the lab.”
Video Tutorial: The LigoLab and TestDirectly Pooled Testing Workflow

LigoLab: Transforming Laboratory Information Systems with Innovation and Scalability
At LigoLab, our goal has never been to build another standard laboratory information system - instead, our vision was to revolutionize what the best laboratory information system software can achieve.
Our mission is clear: to deliver a comprehensive, all-in-one lab information system and laboratory revenue cycle management (lab RCM) platform that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge tools, technologies, and workflows. We empower laboratories to evolve technically and financially with our innovative laboratory workflow management solutions and help them stay ahead in an ever-changing healthcare landscape.
A truly innovative medical LIS eliminates inefficiencies by unifying operations, automating processes, and removing barriers. It replaces disconnected systems and manual workarounds with a streamlined, cohesive platform - allowing laboratories to scale, innovate, and maintain a competitive edge.
Additionally, we view digital pathology and AI-driven tools not as optional add-ons but as core components of a fully integrated laboratory informatics ecosystem with the LigoLab platform serving as the centerpiece.
While outdated, rigid LIS system solutions hinder progress, LigoLab is designed for the future. Our dynamic and adaptable pathology lab management system grows alongside its users, removing operational bottlenecks, enhancing interoperability, and optimizing communication and data exchange.
The result: improved efficiency, better patient outcomes, and transformative change across the industry.
With nearly two decades of experience, LigoLab proudly serves over 300 medical laboratories nationwide across all diagnostic disciplines, including pathology, clinical, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, toxicology, and genomics. By maximizing LIS system functionality, automating lab billing, and driving growth, we give our partners the competitive advantage they need to excel in today’s healthcare marketplace - and shape the future of laboratory medicine.
Learn more about LigoLab and how its future-ready solutions can support your lab’s growth plans by contacting a product specialist today.
