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Six Factors That Should Be Considered Before Upgrading Your Lab's Pathology Reporting Software
June 10, 2026
In this industry, the laboratory report is the lab's calling card, which is why the performance of the lab’s pathology reporting software should be a top priority for any lab leader seeking a new laboratory information system (LIS) software.
Questions about LigoLab's LIS pathology module arise in nearly every laboratory information system demonstration, underscoring the indispensable nature of advanced LIS medical software solutions for the diagnostic laboratory industry. Because of this, we've compiled a list of six factors to consider when speaking with laboratory information system companies about their pathology reporting software capabilities.
Discover More: Best Pathology Lab Reporting Software - Buyers Guide and Checklist
Factor 1: Laboratory Information Systems and Interoperability
It doesn't matter how good the report looks if no one can see it.
What to Look For
To ensure client satisfaction, choose a lab information system with an open architecture and a robust interface engine. Hospitals and health systems need both factors to interface with a wide range of electronic health record (EHR) systems and laboratory billing services. The best LIS software solutions support a variety of formats, including HL7, PDF, and XML.
The appearance and usability of reports on the receiving end are critical considerations. Laboratory staff must be able to configure and format reports correctly as they are transmitted from the LIS system to the EHR to ensure clinicians receive clear, complete, and actionable information. When evaluating a laboratory information system, verify that it supports advanced reporting capabilities, including embedded PDFs, hyperlinks, images, and file attachments within outbound messages.
Discover More: Stability and Performance - The Two Most Important Aspects of a Modern Laboratory Operation
Factor 2: Laboratory Information Systems and Flexibility
Don't spend all the time and resources implementing a new laboratory information system without first learning how flexible it is.
Questions to Ask
- Does the medical LIS enable you to design fully customizable report templates, down to the pixel?
- Can the LIS lab solution build templates for co-branding opportunities with clients?
- Can the lab information system deliver more value for clients through personalization and saved preferences?
When evaluating leading laboratory information system vendors, ask whether their medical laboratory solutions support customizable lab reports. If the answer is yes, confirm that they also provide training so your team can update templates in-house whenever necessary at no additional cost.
Determine whether the LIS system can generate personalized patient reports, host them on a secure patient portal (such as for direct-to-consumer lab testing), and send critical results to providers via SMS, fax, or other channels.
Modern clinical and pathology LIS systems should offer template-driven reports with rich text, full-color graphics, diagrams, and embedded images, all pre-licensed and preloaded. These features are what separate advanced pathology lab reporting software from limited options.
Discover More: What to Look Out for and Avoid When Shopping for a New LIS System
Factor 3: Laboratory Information Systems and Configurability
Template flexibility is important, but configurability within the laboratory information system software is equally critical.
What to Confirm Before Signing
Be sure to ask the LIS software vendors you are speaking with whether their templating engine is embedded in the lab information system module or is a standalone application.
When evaluating advanced LIS systems, confirm that the solution supports macros, can pull in any discrete field from the LIS software, and allows conditional rules to be applied directly within report templates.
People often overlook these questions, and some laboratory information system companies may not have this level of configurability. Ask the questions now, rather than six months after selecting an LIS software partner, so your lab doesn't get stuck with an expensive development charge or, worse, a pathology lab management software that cannot accommodate your needs.
Can reports include attachments such as images and diagrams? Can they be annotated? These are critical considerations when selecting a new laboratory information system, both for meeting your lab's needs today and ensuring long-term flexibility.
Discover More: How LigoLab's Pathology Lab Software Supports Lab Report Customization and Client Preferences
Factor 4: Laboratory Information Systems and Integrated Reporting Functionality
Can the laboratory information system you are evaluating automatically pull the results of multiple tests across multiple departments into one well-organized, easy-to-read lab report summary?
Why Integration Matters for Reporting
Integrated LIS system reporting capabilities beat the time-consuming and error-prone alternative of having a pathologist manually compile all the data into a Word document.
For example, assembling a complex hematopathology report can take a pathologist 20 minutes or more when using traditional systems and manual processes. Modern LIS software platforms streamline this workflow by automatically generating the report the moment the case is opened, pulling relevant data such as CBC results, Flow Cytometry interpretations, and Surgical Pathology final diagnoses directly into the report. This automation eliminates manual data gathering, reduces the risk of errors, and significantly accelerates the review and sign-out.
Discover More: How LIS Software Helps Pathologists Sign-Out Anatomic Pathology Cases Faster
Factor 5: Laboratory Information Systems and Decision-Support Functionality
Many modern clinical labs and pathology groups are incorporating decision support systems and best practice protocols into their reports to enhance their value and improve patient care.
The Value of Decision Support in Lab Reporting
These risk assessment tools help caregivers quickly filter through data and serve as a guide for the patient and the next steps in care. As the healthcare industry continues to move toward value-based care and away from fee-for-service, modern medical laboratory information system software with decision-support functionality can create added value for the lab.
Ask the LIS company you’re speaking with whether their laboratory information system and reporting engine have built-in decision-support functionality.
Factor 6: Laboratory Information Systems and Distribution
Now let's focus on one of the most important laboratory information system functions: distribution.
Getting Reports to the Right People, Every Time
What good are aesthetically pleasing lab reports if the LIS systems and laboratory information system companies producing them cannot effectively distribute them?
- Can the LIS system automatically distribute reports through an outreach module?
- Does it support report delivery through email, fax, provider and patient web portals, remote and local printers, and SMS?
The LIS company you choose should facilitate delivery to your clients through every available channel, with ease and reliability.
Discover More: LigoLab’s Provider Portal Facilitates Faster Order Processing and Improved Turnaround Times
The Best Laboratory Information System Vendors Have Mastered Lab Reports
The all-in-one LigoLab Medical LIS & Lab RCM Informatics Platform is a prime example of an enterprise LIS software vendor that has listened to its customers and delivered the most flexible and configurable laboratory information system platform.
LigoLab demonstrates this with its fully customizable report templates. The LIS system's reporting and distribution engines drive the reporting process by creating reports that consolidate and augment test results with rich text formatting, images, and cumulative charts. Once finalized, reports are distributed automatically through every available channel.
Thanks to end-to-end support, LigoLab's clients gain the freedom to create the reports they desire, backed by deep domain expertise and best practices developed by and for pathologists and laboratorians since 2006.
Industry Insights: Best LIS Systems - Top Laboratory Information Systems Compared for Clinical, Pathology, and Outreach Labs
Is the LIS System in Your Lab Holding It Back?
Tired of common pain points such as limited laboratory information system functions, shrinking reimbursements, high denial rates, increased government regulations, and a shortage of skilled technicians? Looking for a better, more efficient way to control costs, increase revenue, and scale your medical laboratory?
The all-in-one LigoLab platform can help transform your lab business with the modern features and functionality you need.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clinical and Pathology Reporting Software and LIS System Evaluation
Why is clinical and pathology reporting software such an important consideration when selecting a new LIS system?
The laboratory report is the primary deliverable that labs produce for physicians, patients, and other healthcare providers. Its accuracy, appearance, and timely delivery directly impact client satisfaction, physician confidence, and the lab's competitive position in the market. A poorly performing reporting software undermines the value of everything else the LIS system does well.
What does LIS interoperability mean for report delivery?
Interoperability refers to the LIS system's ability to connect with a wide range of EHR systems, laboratory billing services, and other healthcare platforms, ensuring reports are transmitted accurately and in the correct format. Labs should confirm that the implementation of a new LIS software supports HL7, PDF, and XML formats, as well as embedded PDFs, hyperlinks, and attachments within transmitted messages, before moving forward with the lab vendor.
What is the difference between report flexibility and report configurability in an LIS system?
Flexibility refers to the ability to design and customize report templates for clients, including branding, layout, rich text, images, and co-branding. Configurability refers to the deeper technical ability to apply conditional rules, pull discrete data fields, and use macros within the templating engine itself. Both are essential, and labs should confirm that the LIS vendor's templating engine is embedded in the platform rather than a standalone tool like Crystal Reports.
Why does integrated reporting functionality matter for pathologists?
Integrated reporting enables a modern LIS system to automatically consolidate results from multiple tests, departments, and diagnostic workflows into a single, structured report. By eliminating the need for pathologists to gather and assemble information from disparate sources, this capability saves valuable time, minimizes the potential for errors, and enables clinicians to focus more on diagnostic interpretation and patient care rather than administrative tasks.
What is decision-support functionality in a laboratory information system?
Decision-support functionality enables the LIS reporting engine to embed risk assessment tools, clinical guidelines, and best-practice protocols directly into lab reports. It helps clinicians quickly interpret results and determine next steps for patient care, adding significant value for the lab's clients and aligning with the healthcare industry's shift toward value-based care.
What distribution channels should a modern LIS system support?
A modern LIS system should support report distribution through email, fax, provider and patient web portals, remote and local printers, and SMS, ideally through an automated outreach module that delivers reports without manual intervention. Labs should confirm these capabilities before selecting a vendor, as distribution gaps can significantly impact client satisfaction and turnaround times.
How does LigoLab's reporting engine differ from legacy lab reporting software?
LigoLab's reporting and distribution engines automatically consolidate test results from multiple departments into a single, richly formatted report, including rich text, full-color graphics, cumulative charts, and embedded images. Reports are distributed automatically through all available channels at the moment of finalization. Templates are fully customizable in-house without additional development charges, and the platform's embedded templating engine supports macros, conditional rules, and discrete field integration that many legacy LIS systems cannot match.
