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Stability and Performance: The Two Most Important Aspects of a Modern Laboratory Operation
May 28, 2025
A laboratory information system LIS is like an alarm clock in that if it’s not reliable, it’s probably time to get another one.
That statement may seem extreme until you consider the significant consequences unplanned downtime can have on a clinical laboratory or pathology practice.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the consequences resulting from unplanned downtime. We’ll also examine how medical labs can prevent it from severely impacting customer relationships and patient outcomes by partnering with advanced laboratory information system vendors that have a well-earned reputation for prioritizing stability and performance.
Learn More: Laboratory Information Systems Are Not Commodities!
What is Laboratory Downtime?
First, let’s describe what laboratory downtime is.
Downtime in a medical laboratory is defined as the time when an instrument or system is not functioning properly or is unavailable to the user.
Downtime can be planned and unplanned. Examples of planned downtime include taking an instrument offline for scheduled maintenance or a laboratory information system down for a LIS software update.
Examples of unplanned downtime include server failure, a lab information system unexpectedly crashing and preventing the lab from sending out lab reports to clinicians and patients, or a ransomware attack that paralyzes operations by locking lab data and making it inaccessible until the ransom is paid or the issue is resolved in another way.
Learn More: Protect Your Lab with Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures
The Costly Impact of Unplanned Downtime
Studies have shown that unplanned downtime is indeed costly. While exact costs will vary from lab to lab depending on the scale and scope of operations, experts have estimated that unplanned downtime can cost a medium to large-sized medical lab up to $100,000 per hour.
Consider the following example to see how unplanned downtime costs can rapidly accumulate.
A smaller lab (Lab X) typically processes 1,000 samples every 24 hours at an average of $100 per case, totaling a hypothetical daily revenue of $100,000. Unfortunately, the lab experienced unplanned downtime that lasted for eight hours.
To calculate the downtime cost, take the daily revenue ($100,000) and divide it by 24 hours to get the lab’s revenue per hour ($4,167). From there, multiply the lab revenue per hour by the eight hours of unplanned downtime. The cost is $33,333 (an eye-popping 33 percent of daily revenue).
Now tack on another $5,000 to $10,000 in related operational expenses, such as labor, repairs, and maintenance, and those eight hours of unexpected downtime have cost the lab nearly $40,000. And that’s not even accounting for the indirect impacts of reputational damage, declining staff morale, and potential customer loss.
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How the Best Laboratory Information System Companies Help Prevent Unplanned Downtime
As the example above illustrates, unplanned downtime can be extremely costly. Given that even the most successful labs operate on tight margins and rely heavily on their reputations, taking proactive measures to prevent downtime is essential for sustaining long-term productivity and profitability.
So what’s the best way to prevent unplanned downtime?
It begins with implementing a modern laboratory information system backed by LIS software vendors that understand the critical nature of your work and the need for a reliable and efficient pathology lab software solution.
When we say “modern,” we’re talking about an LIS system that provides a comprehensive set of modules, features, and tools designed to enhance your laboratory's efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance.
Here are examples of laboratory information system/LIS company attributes that go beyond the norm to ensure a lab’s sustained productivity without interruption:
Scalable Architecture: The LIS system must be scalable and able to grow with your lab, accommodating increased volume and complexity without compromising performance.
Proactive Support: The LIS company must have a dedicated support team ready to assist your lab whenever and wherever needed, thus ensuring all issues are promptly identified and addressed.
Advanced Security: The LIS company must proactively implement the latest security protocols to protect your sensitive data and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
Continuous Innovation: The LIS company must commit to staying at the forefront of technology and regularly updating the medical LIS software with new features and enhancements.
Learn More: It’s Time for Medical Labs to Embrace the Potential of Laboratory Informatics
LigoLab’s 99.9% Uptime Guarantee
For advanced LIS system technology and laboratory workflow management best practices that directly impact a lab’s profitability, LigoLab distinguishes itself in the competitive laboratory information system software market through its unwavering commitment to excellence.
Renowned for building strong, collaborative partnerships with its clients, the enterprise pathology lab software provider also offers an unmatched uptime guarantee, which reinforces its dedication to reliability and performance.
“We proudly guarantee 99.9 percent uptime for our LigoLab informatics platform,” said LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian. “This means that your lab can rely on our LIS software platform to be operational and accessible virtually all the time, ensuring that your critical lab workflow is never compromised. We understand that even minor downtime can have significant consequences, and we take every measure to prevent it.”
That’s right. LigoLab guarantees uptime. Something that other laboratory information system vendors are unwilling to do.
The LigoLab platform is purpose-built to meet the full spectrum of demands faced by today’s modern laboratories, from high-volume specimen processing to intricate data management. Its scalable and resilient architecture ensures peak performance, even during the most intense workloads. With built-in advanced monitoring tools that detect and address potential issues before they disrupt operations, the platform delivers both reliability and peace of mind.
“We are committed to providing a reliable and stable platform,” continued Avunjian. “In the rare event of unplanned downtime, we credit our customers for the time they were impacted. This guarantee underscores our alignment with the laboratories we serve, our confidence in the reliability and stability of our LIS software platform, and our dedication to your satisfaction.”
Additionally, Avunjian noted that LigoLab’s commitment to excellence is demonstrated daily by rigorous development, testing, quality assurance, and processes.
“We continuously invest in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure to provide a robust and dependable informatics platform that meets the highest industry standards,” he said. “This dedication allows us to offer our clients a seamless experience, minimizing disruptions and maximizing productivity.”
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More Ways to Prevent Unplanned Downtime
In addition to working with experienced and dedicated laboratory information system companies, the best lab operations also help themselves avoid unplanned downtime by prioritizing the following steps:
- Regularly scheduled maintenance and calibration of all lab instruments.
- Deployment of redundant systems and backup servers.
- Real-time monitoring of critical systems.
- Security protocols with regular audits that prevent cyberattacks and data breaches.
- Development and enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that include contingency plans that address unplanned downtime.
- Regularly scheduled emergency drills.
- Stable power supply and climate control.
- Clear communication channels for issue reporting.
- Strict quality control measures.
LigoLab: Unmatched LIS System Stability and Performance
Stability and performance are paramount in the fast-paced and demanding world of laboratory operations, where the best patient outcomes and profitability are top objectives. Without both, a medical lab won’t be able to operate smoothly and efficiently, negatively affecting its vital services.
LigoLab helps medical laboratories maintain their competitive edge and deliver exceptional service by minimizing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency.
“In laboratory operations, turnaround time is not just a metric; it's a critical component that directly impacts the lab's reputation, customer satisfaction, and patient outcomes,” added Avunjian. “Rapid and accurate test results are essential for timely medical decisions because they influence the quality of patient care and the overall efficiency of healthcare services. Any delay can have significant consequences, from impeding treatment plans to affecting patient recovery.”
LigoLab’s uptime guarantee, an outlier, has been a game-changer for labs that require the highest levels of reliability and dependability.
“This high level of reliability reinforces the lab's reputation for dependability and excellence, fostering trust among healthcare providers, patients, and stakeholders,” concluded Avunjian.
White Paper: What To Do When Your Laboratory Information System Is Sunsetting
The LigoLab Advantage
Choosing LigoLab means partnering with a LIS company that prioritizes your lab’s success. The platform is more than just a tool; it is a comprehensive LIS system designed to enhance your laboratory's efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. It’s also the only LIS company that guarantees uptime.
Learn More: Navigating the Future of Pathology: The LigoLab Advantage
To see how the LigoLab platform can support your laboratory with unprecedented uptime, contact us for more information.
