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Remembering COVID: TestDirectly - A Simple and Complete Solution for Labs Preparing for OSHA Employer Testing Requirements
August 4, 2026
Editor's Note: On May 11, 2023, the World Health Organization declared the end of the global COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. While much of the world has moved on, healthcare professionals, especially those in laboratory information systems and clinical laboratory management, continue to reflect on the lessons learned to strengthen preparedness for future infectious disease threats.
Discover 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 to their evolving needs with innovative LIS software solutions that helped them navigate unprecedented challenges. From optimizing laboratory workflow management to enhancing patient and provider safety, our collaborative approach enabled resilience in the face of crisis.
One defining element of this journey was documenting our partners' resilience in real time. As we honor their commitment, let’s revisit a pivotal moment from December 2021, reflecting on COVID-19's impact and exploring what it taught us about the future of medical LIS lab technology.
LigoLab's TestDirectly Portal Positioned to Help Labs Meet Surge in COVID-19 Testing Demand Under New OSHA Mandate
LOS ANGELES, CA - LigoLab, a leading provider of innovative pathology and clinical laboratory management software for medical laboratories, has announced that its TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal can help labs prepare for what is expected to be a large increase in COVID-19 testing demand in the new year.
Demand is expected to increase when new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements take effect on January 4, 2022.
The OSHA mandate (announced by the White House in November 2021) requires private-sector employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or require unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
Covering roughly 60% of the U.S. workforce, the policy is expected to drive COVID-19 testing demand to its highest level in months.
Discover More: LigoLab’s Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal - An Innovative Solution for an Industry-Wide Problem
Meeting the Surge in COVID-19 Testing with Scalable Solutions
As testing volumes increase, medical laboratories need technology that helps them scale operations without sacrificing turnaround times. Employers, meanwhile, require integrated, cost-effective diagnostic lab software that simplifies employee health tracking and compliance management while reducing administrative burden.
"Whether you're a lab manager or an employer, operationalizing large-scale COVID-19 testing from the ground up is extremely difficult, not to mention a drain on resources," said LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian. "With the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal, we offer a proven turnkey solution that can quickly become the centerpiece of any organizational testing program."
TestDirectly: Streamlining Clinical Lab Workflow and Expanding Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Capabilities
TestDirectly saves laboratories and their customers valuable time and resources by eliminating paper forms and manual processes, replacing them with end-to-end efficiencies that start with patient self-registration and continue through automated result notifications.
Designed for seamless integration with leading laboratory information systems and laboratory billing platforms, TestDirectly can typically be deployed and operational within two weeks.
"TestDirectly streamlines all collection, testing, and reporting processes, enabling lab personnel to focus on what they do best while supporting their business community," continued Avunjian. "The portal is intuitive, adaptable, and built to handle any collection workflow. Once implemented, it becomes a scalable solution for any lab interested in offering organizational testing."
Supporting all forms of COVID-19 testing, including pooled testing workflows, TestDirectly (TestDirectly.com) is designed for high throughput and the management of multi-site organizational testing facilities, capabilities that directly support direct-to-consumer labs serving business clients seeking a trusted testing partner.
On-Demand Webinar: Learn How to Expand Your Lab’s Services and Add Revenue with Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
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TestDirectly: The Comprehensive Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal for Employers
The TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal is a robust diagnostic lab software solution designed to help employers streamline and manage employee testing programs efficiently and precisely.
Event Management and Employee Self-Registration
TestDirectly creates and organizes testing events based on employee-specific variables such as job position and location. The platform features employee self-registration, scheduling, and paper-free QR code check-in, eliminating the administrative burden of manual intake processes.
Demographics, Testing History, and Customizable Workflows
The portal supports CSV uploads of employee demographics, tracks individual testing histories, and includes customizable Ask on Order Entry (AOE) questions along with brandable requisition and report templates. Customizable Terms of Service can be configured per organization and laboratory.
Specimen Tracking, Notifications, and Real-Time Monitoring
The TestDirectly solution supports specimen barcoding and tracking with multiple labeling options, plus email and SMS reminders for testing events and result notifications. Real-time administrative monitoring enables tracking of test orders and results, with defined user permissions to control functionality and report access by department, facility, or other variables.
Integration, Verification, and Public Health Reporting
TestDirectly includes a built-in LIS system application for rapid testing or PCR testing, and can also integrate with an in-house LIS software. It supports CSV downloads of test results and offers SMART Card and CommonPass integration for COVID-19 testing verification via QR code. The portal also automates the reporting of real-time results to public health agencies.
"Whether it's a PCR test analyzed by the lab or a rapid antigen test with results onsite, employers will need direct-to-consumer labs that can help them easily and accurately track and manage the health status of their employees," said Avunjian.
TestDirectly: Connecting Labs, Patients, and Organizations with Seamless Testing Solutions
TestDirectly is a user-friendly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal that delivers turnkey point-of-care testing solutions while linking laboratories and collection centers with patients, physicians, schools, employers, organizations, and government agencies.
By automating every step of the process, from specimen collection and processing to report creation and delivery, as well as payment and compliance management, TestDirectly eliminates workflow bottlenecks.
This streamlined approach not only improves operational efficiency but also enhances the overall patient experience.
Discover More: Introducing a New Revenue Source for Labs
LigoLab: Powering Modern Laboratories with End-to-End Laboratory Information System Software Innovation
Serving hundreds of facilities across the U.S., LigoLab delivers a comprehensive, enterprise-grade clinical laboratory management solution through its fully integrated medical LIS and lab revenue cycle management platform.
This powerful platform includes modules for anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, molecular diagnostics, lab revenue cycle management, and direct-to-consumer lab testing, all working together to support every role, department, and case within the lab.
With LigoLab, laboratories can deliver better patient care, stand out in a competitive marketplace, scale their operations, enhance compliance, and increase profitability.
Ready to Scale Your Lab's Testing Capabilities?
Whether you're preparing for a surge in testing demand, launching an organizational testing program, or looking to expand your direct-to-consumer lab testing services, LigoLab and TestDirectly are built to help you move fast without sacrificing accuracy or compliance.
Act Now: Schedule Your Personalized LIS Software Demo Today!
Frequently Asked Questions About TestDirectly and Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing
What is TestDirectly and what does it do?
TestDirectly is LigoLab's direct-to-consumer lab testing portal, a robust diagnostic lab software solution designed to connect laboratories and collection centers with patients, employers, schools, physicians, organizations, and government agencies. It automates the entire testing workflow, from patient self-registration and specimen collection through result reporting, payment management, and public health compliance reporting.
How quickly can TestDirectly be implemented into a lab's workflow?
TestDirectly can be implemented within a lab's existing workflow in under two weeks. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with any medical LIS or lab revenue cycle management system, minimizing disruption during onboarding.
What types of COVID-19 testing does TestDirectly support?
TestDirectly supports all forms of COVID-19 testing, including PCR testing processed by the laboratory, rapid antigen testing with onsite results, and pooled testing workflows. It also supports multi-site organizational testing facilities and high-throughput testing environments.
How does TestDirectly help employers manage employee testing programs?
The platform creates and organizes testing events based on employee-specific variables such as job position and location. It includes employee self-registration, scheduling, QR code check-in, CSV uploads of employee demographics, testing tracking, customizable Terms of Service, and real-time administrative monitoring. Defined user permissions allow employers to control report access by department or facility.
Does TestDirectly integrate with existing LIS system software?
Yes. TestDirectly is fully integrable with any medical LIS or laboratory billing system, and also includes a built-in LIS system application for labs that prefer to use it as a standalone solution for rapid or PCR testing. This flexibility makes it suitable for labs at any stage of their technology journey.
How does TestDirectly handle public health reporting?
TestDirectly automates the reporting of real-time test results to public health agencies, reducing the manual administrative burden on lab staff while ensuring compliance with state and federal reporting requirements.
What notification and communication features does TestDirectly include?
The portal sends automated email and SMS reminders for upcoming testing events and delivers result notifications directly to patients and employees. This keeps all parties informed without requiring manual outreach from laboratory staff.
Does TestDirectly benefit laboratories beyond COVID-19 testing?
While TestDirectly gained significant visibility during the pandemic, its capabilities extend well beyond COVID-19. The platform is designed to support any organizational or direct-to-consumer lab testing program, making it a scalable long-term asset for labs looking to expand their service offerings, add new revenue streams, and build stronger relationships with employer and organizational clients.
What makes LigoLab's approach to direct-to-consumer lab testing different?
LigoLab's TestDirectly platform is part of an all-in-one medical LIS and lab revenue cycle management informatics ecosystem, so testing data, billing information, compliance reporting, and lab workflows operate within a single integrated environment. This eliminates the fragmentation that comes with using multiple disconnected systems, providing full visibility and control over every aspect of their testing programs.
