Remembering COVID: Start Processing COVID-19 Tests While We Take Care of the Rest

Editor’s Note: On May 11, 2023, the World Health Organization officially declared an end to the global COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. While much of the world has moved on, healthcare professionals—especially those representing LIS laboratory information system solutions and pathology lab management—must continue to apply the 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, supporting our lab partners throughout the pandemic was a top priority. We responded quickly to their evolving needs, delivering innovative pathology lab reporting software and direct-to-consumer lab testing solutions to help them manage unprecedented challenges. From optimizing lab workflows to strengthening safety for patients and providers, our shared efforts fostered resilience in a time of crisis.

A defining aspect of that experience was witnessing and capturing the resilience of our partners in real time. As we honor their dedication, we look back at a pivotal moment in April 2020, reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 and the evolving role of LIS technology in a post-pandemic world.

Join the Fight Against COVID-19: Access LigoLab’s LIS System for Free and Help Expand Testing Capacity While Protecting Your Lab’s Revenue

At LigoLab, our mission has always been to help laboratories grow and thrive. However, in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both our healthcare system and the broader economy, we’ve temporarily shifted our focus from growth to urgent support.

Our priority is to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to deliver the reliable service and innovation our client labs expect. That’s why we’re inviting your lab to join our community, access our laboratory information system (LIS) platform at no cost, and play a critical role in expanding the nation’s COVID-19 testing capacity—all while safeguarding your lab’s financial health.

35,000 COVID-19 Tests a Day—And We’re Just Getting Started: Join the LigoLab Community to Expand Nationwide Testing Capacity

Over the past several weeks, we’ve worked closely with our client labs, and as of mid-April, the LigoLab community has scaled up to process 35,000 COVID-19 tests per day. It’s a strong start, but it’s not enough.

To safely reopen the country, we need more testing, faster identification of virus carriers, and more effective contact tracing. That’s why we’re calling on additional labs to step up and join the effort.

To accelerate onboarding and expand capacity quickly, we’re offering free access to our LIS software platform—not just for existing clients, but for any lab ready to contribute to the national response. With our expert LIS system support team, your lab can be fully operational in just days.

Expanding Lab Capacity to Meet Growing Demand—No Strings Attached

Our network of laboratories is now supporting large-scale testing initiatives for Fortune 100 companies and government agencies. As testing volume increases and current capacity is stretched, we aim to distribute that demand across an expanding LigoLab network, enabling greater throughput and faster turnaround times.

To support this effort:

• For Current Clients: We’re waiving all LIS system integration costs for FDA-approved high-throughput instruments used in COVID-19 testing.
• For New Labs Joining the Network: We’re offering free laboratory information system implementation, hosting, and licensing.

These offers are available through the end of June—no strings attached. It’s our way of helping labs scale quickly and meet the urgent need for widespread testing.

Introducing TestDirectly: A Scalable Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Platform

Early in the pandemic, we recognized the growing need for a direct-to-consumer lab testing solution. That foresight led to the development of TestDirectly—a platform built to support drive-through collections, lab partnerships, and streamlined business-to-business testing workflows.

Through TestDirectly, patients can:

• Check symptoms
• Self-register
• Consult with a doctor via telemedicine
• Visit a designated drive-through lab site for safe, fast testing

For businesses, the platform enables bulk test ordering for employees while managing the entire workflow, including registration, specimen collection, and result reporting (consumer lab reports).

Patient testing locations are assigned by zip code, and our goal is to onboard as many partner labs as possible. This expands access to convenient testing for the public and creates a vital revenue stream for direct-to-consumer labs.

Case Study: How Our Lab Partner Embraced Laboratory Information System Innovation and Won a Statewide Testing Contract

Together, We Can Expand Testing and Help Restore Confidence

Widespread direct-to-consumer lab testing is essential to restoring public confidence, enabling a safe return to daily life and work. By working together, we can expand testing capacity, accelerate turnaround times (TestDirectly results time), safeguard patients and healthcare workers, and help contain the spread of COVID-19.

To learn more about LigoLab’s LIS system and direct-to-consumer lab testing solutions, and how your lab can get involved, contact a product specialist. 

TestDirectly: Simplifying Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing for Labs and Patients

TestDirectly is a turnkey web-based platform designed to simplify and streamline direct-to-consumer lab testing. Built to support both patients and laboratories, the platform enables safe, efficient, and scalable diagnostic testing without the need for traditional clinical infrastructure. It empowers laboratories to quickly launch direct-to-consumer lab testing services while minimizing administrative overhead and maximizing accessibility for consumers.

Case Study: Leading Molecular Lab Teams with TestDirectly to Provide State-Wide COVID-19 School Surveillance Testing

For patients, TestDirectly provides a seamless experience—from symptom checking and self-registration to telemedicine consultations and scheduling at drive-through or walk-up collection sites. Test results are delivered electronically, and all interactions occur within a secure, HIPAA-compliant environment. This contactless process helps reduce the risk of disease transmission while ensuring timely, accurate testing.

For laboratories, TestDirectly serves as a powerful extension of their laboratory information system software, handling the full direct-to-consumer lab testing workflow from online ordering and payment to specimen collection coordination, result reporting, and regulatory compliance. The platform integrates with LIS lab systems to automate key processes and eliminate bottlenecks. It also intelligently routes patient orders to nearby partner labs based on zip code, distributing demand while improving turnaround times.

Business clients, including employers, schools, and government agencies, can also use TestDirectly to coordinate high-volume testing initiatives for their populations. This flexibility allows direct-to-consumer labs to diversify their revenue streams and serve a broader audience during periods of fluctuating clinical testing demand.

By reducing manual tasks and improving the patient experience while enabling rapid onboarding, the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing solution helps expand their service offerings and remain financially resilient in a competitive and uncertain environment. With TestDirectly, labs gain a reliable digital infrastructure to support growth in the direct-to-consumer lab testing space—both during public health emergencies (like COVID-19) and in the broader shift toward consumer-driven healthcare.

Learn More: Highlighting the Versatility of the TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal‍