Not All LIS Systems Are Created Equally

Any clinical or pathology laboratory operationally processing north of 100 cases per day likely already knows and understands the value of good and functional Lab Information Systems (LIS). 

As a reminder, here’s a quick summary of the benefits that come with implementing LIS in laboratories.  

Lab Information Systems (LIS) - The Benefits of Implementing LIS in Laboratories

• Centralized Data Management with LIS - The LIS helps clinical laboratories effectively manage and analyze data by providing a centralized platform for storage and retrieval. With LIS, data is captured and stored automatically, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual data entry. The system organizes data in a way that is easily accessible to laboratory staff, enabling them to quickly retrieve and use it for analysis and decision-making.

• Improved Quality Control with LIS - The LIS includes quality control features that help ensure the accuracy and consistency of laboratory test results. The LIS system automatically flags any results that fall outside of specified parameters (reference ranges), reducing the risk of errors and false test results. This helps to ensure that laboratory results are accurate and reliable, which is critical for patient care.

• Streamlined Workflow with LIS - The LIS integrates all aspects of laboratory operations, including sample processing, analysis, and test result reporting, allowing medical laboratory technologists to work more efficiently and effectively. The LIS system provides real-time data and status updates, making it easier for laboratory personnel to track the progress of tests and samples, reducing the risk of errors and delays.

• Compliance Assurance with LIS - The LIS helps clinical laboratories meet regulatory requirements and standards, such as CLIA and HIPAA. The LIS system provides comprehensive reporting and audit trails, making it easier for laboratories to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards. This helps to reduce the risk of fines and other penalties associated with non-compliance.

• Better Patient Outcomes with LIS - By improving the accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results, the LIS helps to ensure that patients receive the best possible medical care. The LIS system enables physicians and other healthcare providers to make informed decisions based on accurate and up-to-date patient information, which can significantly improve patient outcomes.

The above is a good baseline of what laboratory operators should expect from their LIS, but this is by no means a complete list and, as you may have guessed, not all LIS are created equal. 

In this particular healthcare space, there are modern LIS systems like LigoLab Operating Platform, and then there are legacy LIS systems that lack both flexibility and functionality. 

So how does a modern LIS system differ from a legacy one? Read this blog post to find out.  

Comparing LigoLab Operating Platform with Legacy Laboratory Information System Software

At LigoLab, we’ve built a dynamic and modern LIS that offers lab operators unlimited flexibility in setup. Our platform features thousands of configurable entities that give clinical labs and pathology groups the ability to quickly introduce new tests, results, reports, and fields. Key platform features include a custom scripting language, a flagging subsystem, rule and automation engines, a proprietary interface engine, and much more. 

In today’s laboratory environment, efficiency is critical. Without it, the laboratory will not only fail to reach its financial goals but will also be exposed to numerous external threats to the business (labor shortages, rising operational costs, and falling margins).  

Rest assured that LigoLab understands that implementing the right LIS for your laboratory is mission-critical. You need to get it right the first time. That’s why we offer a super-efficient system and don’t stop there. We take it even further with a development team that’s second to none. What this means for you and your lab is assurance that when partnering with LigoLab, you’ll never have to worry about outgrowing an outdated LIS system. 

Our talented team of engineers develops 2-4 new features and enhancements for our clients daily, and our engineers and company leadership openly accept development requests and suggestions to add to the next version of the LIS software. What’s more, we routinely deploy features with a turnaround measured in days rather than weeks. How many LIS vendors can match that pace?

Also, when we say ‘partnership’ we mean it in the truest sense of that word. We don’t just sell you a laboratory information system and say ‘good luck’. Rather, we support you and keep you informed of the latest developments and we encourage you to regularly update the LIS software to ensure access to the latest enhancements and added features. 

Because of this, we find that quarterly webinars and annual user group meetings with our user base are especially useful. In fact, we recently hosted a user group conference to kick off 2023, with the three-day event dedicated to the unveiling of all the new enhancements and features that have recently been added to the LIS, RCM, and Direct-to-Consumer modules. 

Look for comprehensive summaries of the enhancements and features added to each module in the coming days as blog posts. In the meantime, here’s the video used to open the conference. 

In conclusion, although it’s well understood that LIS is an essential tool for modern laboratories that aim to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reliability, not all LIS systems are alike so it’s imperative to ask the right questions when evaluating LIS software. 

Helping Labs Become More Efficient and Profitable is What We Do

LigoLab is an award-winning provider of innovative end-to-end healthcare software for pathology laboratories, servicing 200+ facilities nationwide. As a comprehensive enterprise-grade solution, the LigoLab LIS & RCM Laboratory Operating Platform™ includes modules for anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, molecular diagnostics, revenue cycle management, and direct-to-consumer, all on one powerful and integrated platform that supports every role, every department, and every case. LigoLab empowers laboratories to better serve patients, differentiate themselves in the marketplace, scale their operations and become more compliant, and more profitable.