LigoLab’s Professional Tier: A Powerful Laboratory Information System Solution for Growing Laboratories

Too often, independent clinical laboratories and pathology groups are compelled to adopt a one-size-fits-all laboratory information system (LIS) model. Many LIS lab vendors expect diagnostic testing organizations to accept rigid LIS software and simply “make it work.”

At LigoLab, the belief is that this long-established approach falls short. Medical laboratories play a vital role in healthcare and deserve flexible lab information system solutions tailored to their specific workflows, needs, and growth strategies. That’s why the all-in-one LigoLab Medical LIS & Lab RCM Informatics Platform was built to adapt to the lab, not the other way around.

For nearly two decades, LigoLab has been helping its medical LIS lab partners modernize and efficiently grow their lab operations by providing the best laboratory information system software solutions that deliver maximum value by tailoring features and functionality to fit the lab and its unique attributes. 

LigoLab recognizes that while enterprise-grade pathology lab software works well for some, it’s not the right fit for every lab. That’s why it designed its LIS pathology platform to be both comprehensive and highly adaptable, paired with flexible, tiered pricing options that align with each lab’s unique needs and stage of growth.

The four platform pricing tiers include:

• Essential Tier: An intuitive and straightforward LIS laboratory information system tailored for small pathology, molecular, and reference laboratory workflow.

• Professional Tier: A comprehensive laboratory information system software platform that aligns with the more robust pathology LIS systems on the market and supports more sophisticated workflows, integration, and operational intelligence.

• Advanced Tier: Ideally suited for more extensive, high-volume laboratories that seek top-tier efficiency, automation, and data-driven decision-making from their LIS medical systems. This is where LigoLab sets itself apart from other LIS software vendors. 

• Enterprise Tier: A powerful and complete laboratory information system software platform that offers total integration across multiple departments and sites, broad scalability, and highly customizable workflows leveraged by large, regional, and national laboratories processing millions of diverse specimens per year.

LigoLab’s tiered pricing model empowers medical labs to select a pathology software solution that aligns with both their budget and growth objectives. This flexible approach enables labs of all sizes access to a powerful LIS software platform that enhances operations, boosts staff efficiency, and provides a strong informatics foundation with a clear path for future expansion.

Discover More: LigoLab Informatics Platform: Uniquely Designed to Deliver Maximum Value

The Best LIS Software for Established and Growing Labs

LigoLab’s Professional Tier is a purpose-built laboratory information system software solution for established laboratories ready to scale their operations. This tier encompasses all the modules and features in the Essential Tier and incorporates additional sophisticated functionalities to enhance laboratory workflow management, laboratory connectivity, and overall lab operational visibility.

The Professional Tier also lays the groundwork for future growth, with seamless upgrades to the Advanced and Enterprise Tiers available within the same medical LIS software platform. This means labs can scale their operations and unlock new features without the disruption of switching to a different lab information system. They simply move to a higher licensing tier.

Now, let’s explore the key modules and functions included in the Professional Tier.

White Paper: Transitioning from CoPath to LigoLab - A Seamless Path to LIS System Modernization

Grossing Touchscreen

LigoLab’s Grossing Touchscreen delivers a best-in-class experience for laboratory workflow management, combining precision, efficiency, and ease of use. Designed specifically for grossing technologists, the touchscreen interface is intuitive, fully customizable, and built to streamline every step, from specimen handling and protocol application to ordering additional blocks and stains and supporting just-in-time cassette printing.

Each specimen is automatically assigned a unique ID, ensuring accurate sample tracking and easy reference throughout its lifecycle. Optional verification steps can also be enabled to strengthen specimen control and maintain a secure chain of custody.

The Grossing Touchscreen also includes another standout feature. It supports voice control technology integration (pathology dictation software) and hands-free operation. When leveraging this capability, technologists can control the LIS system, view scanned requisitions, look up previous history, and input gross descriptions. 

They can also use speedy, restaurant-style (large buttons and shortcuts) ordering capabilities with a stylus that gives users an added layer of convenience and adaptability. Using the LIS system this way is especially beneficial during complex procedure entries, allowing the technologist to provide detailed and accurate descriptions without obstruction.

These Grossing Touchscreen capabilities within the anatomical pathology software module enable technologists to capture the number of fragments, input gross descriptions, and capture macro images. The application combines state-of-the-art technology with a user-friendly design, creating an efficient, productive, and adaptable workspace environment. 

Read More: A Closer Look at LigoLab’s Grossing Touchscreen Functionality 

Document Management 

LigoLab’s Document Management module is fully integrated into the LIS system platform and built to securely digitize, organize, and manage documents across the lab. Promoting a paperless environment enhances workflow efficiency, supports data integrity, and streamlines case handling.

Flexibility is at the heart of this module. Documents can be scanned immediately after order entry, which is especially beneficial for anatomic pathology cases moving quickly to the grossing stage. Rapid capture ensures that all case-related documents are instantly available for review, reducing delays and minimizing the risk of lost or misplaced information.

For high-volume labs, the module also supports centralized batch scanning, thereby enabling large numbers of documents to be processed and organized efficiently. Robust security features are built to protect sensitive patient data and ensure full HIPAA compliance.

More than just a digitization tool, the module actively enhances clinical lab workflow by automatically attaching external reports to the appropriate cases and integrating them into final reports, minimizing manual effort and the potential for error. It can also automatically send reports to ordering providers, speeding up communication and enhancing both customer service and patient care outcomes.

Specimen Handling, Tracking, and Security

This efficiency tracking software module functions as a comprehensive productivity and compliance application supporting the highest standard of care for every specimen, from order entry to final disposition. It’s designed to preserve specimen integrity, boost productivity, and ensure full regulatory compliance across the laboratory.

At its core is an advanced lab sample management system solution that assigns a unique identifier to each specimen. This guarantees accurate identification and complete traceability throughout every stage of the specimen’s lifecycle, including accessioning, processing, testing, racking, storage, and disposal.

With real-time location sample tracking, lab staff gain immediate visibility into the status and whereabouts of every specimen, reducing search time and minimizing errors (like misplacements or mix-ups). The system also logs all handling activities—including who accessed the specimen, when, and any associated notes—creating a detailed audit trail that promotes accountability and supports quality control efforts.

Strict access controls ensure only authorized personnel can handle specimens, with every access event securely recorded to safeguard both specimen integrity and patient data privacy. The module also helps labs maintain compliance with specimen storage and disposal requirements by generating automated alerts based on predefined retention timelines, ensuring specimens are disposed of properly (following regulatory standards).

Discover More: How LigoLab is Helping Labs Optimize Specimen Storage and Retrieval

CAP Synoptic Reports

​​LigoLab's integrated College of American Pathologists (CAP) Synoptic Reports module helps elevate the standard of pathology lab reporting software by aligning with CAP protocols, internationally recognized as best practices for reporting specific cancer types.

This specialized module facilitates structured, comprehensive, and uniform reporting of cancer pathology findings. It assists pathologists with clearly and systematically documenting critical cancer data, ensuring that all necessary information is included and easily understood.

Because the CAP Synoptic Reports module is seamlessly integrated with the rest of LigoLab's LIS system platform and anatomic pathology software solution, the reports can be directly populated from the results captured during the diagnostic process. The module utilizes CAP electronic Cancer Checklists (eCC), which allow pathologists to input data directly into predefined fields, reducing the risk of omission and enhancing data accuracy. The standardized structure also aids in the analysis and research of the LIS lab database.

The module delivers real-time updates and automatically integrates the latest CAP protocol versions twice a year, keeping lab customers aligned with current standards of care and ensuring compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements. Best of all, it’s included at no extra cost as part of LigoLab’s Professional Tier, providing added value without added fees.

On-Demand Webinar: How Standardization and Enhanced Reporting Capabilities Improve Lab Workflow and Overall Business Operations

Digital Pathology

Advanced Digital Pathology solutions integrated into LigoLab’s anatomic pathology LIS workflows are a powerful example of how modern LIS software technology and the benefits of digital pathology can drastically improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy within the lab environment. 

LigoLab's platform is agnostic to whole slide imagers, making it compatible with various imaging technologies. This flexibility enables laboratories to choose the imaging equipment that best suits their needs without compromising on any LIS system integration. It also creates a seamless connection between laboratory operations and digital imaging. 

When a pathologist is ready to review a case, the LIS system platform streamlines the process by automatically launching the appropriate viewer in single sign-on mode. This eliminates the need for multiple logins and switching between systems, directing the pathologist straight to the relevant case and digital slides, all within the unified LigoLab environment.

This seamless digital pathology integration enables field-of-view images and analytical data—such as annotations, measurements, and insights—to flow directly back into the LigoLab platform. These elements are automatically saved within the pathology lab reporting software module and are immediately available for final review and sign-out.

By embedding digital pathology solutions into the LIS lab workflow, LigoLab boosts efficiency and empowers pathologists to deliver faster, more accurate diagnoses and consultations.

Industry Insights: Digital Pathology Solutions Redefined - Uniting AI, Viewers, and a Robust LIS System for a Seamless Workflow

Quality Control

LigoLab's Quality Control (QC) module is a powerful and comprehensive tool designed to support the highest clinical laboratory workflow operations and regulatory requirements. The module systematically tracks, monitors, and analyzes various aspects of lab workflow, ensuring the consistent delivery of accurate and reliable results.

The QC module is configured to allow users to establish rules for each test and monitor QC outcomes. It can measure these outcomes against Total Error Allowable (TEa) and Biological Variance. TEa considers both the analytical and preanalytical errors, providing a more realistic picture of overall performance. Biological Variance allows for understanding normal fluctuations in patient results, adding a layer of accuracy to the lab’s performance metrics.

Interactive, real-time data charts deliver a clear visual overview of laboratory performance, making it easy to spot trends and detect deviations as they emerge. This timely insight enables lab managers to make informed decisions and take quick corrective action, helping maintain the highest standards of operational excellence.

The QC module is especially valuable in high-volume, complex testing environments, where it systematically minimizes errors and boosts efficiency. It supports Westgard Rules, Levey-Jennings Charts, and other statistical process control tools, delivering a robust and comprehensive analysis of the lab’s testing quality and consistency.

Integration with other LigoLab modules means complete transparency across all lab workflows. It also flags samples that fail to meet set criteria during the preanalytical phase and highlights errors during the analytical phase.

The module supports compliance with regulatory bodies such as CAP and CLIA by generating detailed, compliant reports that meet agency requirements. All QC data are archived for future audits and inspections, simplifying what’s usually a painstaking process.

Discover More: A Detailed Look at How Modern Laboratory Information Systems Fully Support Quality Control

Statistical Reports

This module provides an expansive library of Statistical Reports, offering hundreds of customizable templates for labs to analyze their data from multiple perspectives. Its robust reporting capabilities create valuable insights that promote informed decision-making, efficiency, and performance improvements.

The range of statistical reports spans all aspects of laboratory operation, performance metrics, QC Control Reports, Test Utilization, and Operational and Productivity Reports. 

These customized reports can be automated to suit a lab’s unique needs and preferences, ensuring the most relevant information is readily and easily available. All reports can be exported in several formats (CSV, Excel, PDF, etc.) for further analysis or presentation.

The module also generates ready-to-use reports that support compliance with both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations.

For CAP, the reporting module compiles comprehensive inspection-ready reports covering key areas including proficiency testing, personnel competency, equipment calibration and maintenance, and quality control. For CLIA, it supports compliance by documenting personnel qualifications, QC statistics, and proficiency testing results.

Because CAP and CLIA reporting is built directly into the LIS system, labs can maintain high standards for quality and safety while simplifying the accreditation and inspection process, saving valuable time and resources. These reports are regularly updated to reflect the latest regulatory requirements, ensuring lab managers always have access to the most current compliance documentation.

Discover More: The Top Five KPIs - Driving Successful Lab Revenue Cycle Management

Provider Portal

LigoLab's Provider Portal is an easy-to-use, secure web-based LIS software application that enhances communication and collaboration. It is designed to streamline the ordering process and ensure that the lab’s providers can access critical information whenever and wherever needed.

Order Submission: Thanks to the Provider Portal, providers and office staff can quickly and conveniently submit orders online, eliminating the need for paper requisitions. The portal is an extension of LigoLab’s laboratory information system software, guiding users through the ordering process while capturing the necessary patient demographics, clinical history, order entry questions, specimens, and the specific tests required. 

The portal even provides timely updates as part of a workflow that significantly reduces the chance of errors and the time it takes to place an order.

Order Tracking: Once an order has been submitted, providers can track its progress. This level of transparency alerts providers so they know exactly when to expect results and assurance that their orders are being processed promptly and efficiently.

Courier Manifests: The Provider Portal supports the generation of courier manifests. These manifests offer a clear and organized method for managing daily specimen pickups from the lab’s providers.

The courier manifest feature brings organization and transparency to courier management. It aids in specimen handling, reduces the risk of errors or missed pickups, and facilitates a smooth transition of specimens from the providers to the lab. It also enhances communication between the lab, providers, and couriers, making it an essential part of a growing lab’s comprehensive solution.

Report Retrieval: Lab reports are directly uploaded to the Provider Portal upon completion. At this point, providers are notified that they can access, download, or print the reports at their convenience while enjoying a faster turnaround time for patient treatment decisions.

Messaging Feature: The Provider Portal also serves as an extra communication link between parties, enabling the lab to send important notifications or messages to providers whenever needed. 

Discover More: LigoLab’s Provider Portal Facilitates Faster Order Processing and Improved Turnaround Times

Integrated Cloud Faxing

LigoLab’s LIS software platform features an Integrated Cloud Faxing module that modernizes lab communications by eliminating the need for traditional fax machines and separate fax software. This built-in solution is a faster and more reliable way to send and receive critical documents directly from the laboratory information system.

Reports and documents can be automatically dispatched based on provider preferences or sent manually by an operator—all within a seamless, user-friendly workflow. The module is fully HIPAA-compliant, ensuring secure transmission of sensitive information, and it maintains a complete digital log of all fax activity for easy tracking and management.

Included at no extra cost in LigoLab’s Professional Tier, the Integrated Cloud Faxing module enhances efficiency and security while streamlining one of the most common communication tasks in the lab.

LigoLab: Lab Vendors Dedicated to Delivering the Best LIS Software

LigoLab wants what’s best for its laboratory partners. That’s why the LIS company engineered what’s considered by many to be the best LIS software. LigoLab’s comprehensive and agile lab information system platform evolves as your laboratory grows, and it’s supported by a tiered pricing LIS model to match. 

In summary, the Professional Tier is one of four flexible pricing options offered by LigoLab. The tiers enable customers to choose the LIS software package that best aligns with their needs, empowering them to grow their lab operations quickly, efficiently, and with confidence.

The Professional Tier aligns well with the more robust laboratory information systems. It includes all the modules and features in the Essential Tier, advanced capabilities, plus LigoLab’s award-winning service and support. 

If you’re ready to take the next big step toward a modern medical laboratory information system workhorse and a more efficient and advanced laboratory workflow, contact LigoLab today and learn more about the Professional Tier.

Speak with a LigoLab Product Specialist!