What Are the Types of LIS?

A laboratory information system is specialized LIS software designed to manage and track laboratory data and workflows. The primary purpose of a LIS system is to streamline operations, enhance data accuracy, and support regulatory compliance within a laboratory setting. These systems automate many manual processes, from patient registration and order entry to sample tracking, result reporting, and billing. The overarching goal is to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory services.

The types of LIS software can broadly be categorized based on their scope, deployment model, and the specific disciplines they support. Historically, laboratories might have used disparate systems, but the trend has moved towards integrated solutions.

One common distinction lies in their scope:

• Clinical Laboratory Information Systems: These are the most prevalent type of LIS system, focusing on the high-volume testing performed in clinical pathology, such as chemistry, hematology, and microbiology. They are designed to handle rapid turnaround times and extensive automation.
• Anatomic Pathology Information Systems (AP-LIS): Specifically tailored for anatomic pathology laboratories, these systems manage tissue samples, biopsies, cytology, and surgical pathology cases. They often include features for gross description, dictation, image management, and integration with pathology instruments.
• Molecular and Genetic LIS: With the rise of precision medicine, specialized LIS solutions are emerging to manage complex molecular and genetic testing workflows, including next-generation sequencing data. These systems need to handle large data volumes and integrate with bioinformatics tools.
• Forensic LIS: Designed for forensic laboratories, these systems manage evidence, chain of custody, and specific forensic testing protocols.
• Research LIS (LIMS): While often used interchangeably, a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is typically broader in scope, often serving research and industrial laboratories. A LIMS might manage samples, experiments, results, and quality control for non-clinical research or manufacturing processes. However, within the clinical context, the term LIS is more specific to patient diagnostics.

In terms of deployment, a LIS system can be:

• On-Premise: Software installed and run on servers located within the laboratory’s or hospital’s own data center. This offers maximum control but requires significant IT infrastructure and maintenance.
• Cloud-Based (SaaS): The LIS software is hosted by the vendor and accessed via the internet. This model offers scalability, reduced IT burden, and often includes automatic updates. Cloud-hosted LIS deployments are becoming popular for improved security, scalability, and reduced IT workload.
• Hybrid: A combination of both on-premise and cloud components, offering a balance between control and flexibility.

The evolution of lab information system software continues, with a growing emphasis on interoperability and comprehensive functionality across all laboratory disciplines.

What Are the Types of LIS in Healthcare?

Understanding what is LIS in laboratory operations within the healthcare sector is crucial for professionals across all levels, from bench scientists to business leaders. In healthcare, a laboratory information system is not just a tool; it is a critical component that impacts patient safety, diagnostic accuracy, and operational efficiency. The various laboratory information system vendors offer solutions tailored to different healthcare settings, from large integrated delivery networks (IDNs) and academic medical centers to independent reference laboratories and specialized pathology groups.

For hospitals and IDNs, the laboratory information system must offer enterprise-scale integration, compliance, and stakeholder alignment. These environments require an LIS system that can seamlessly integrate with electronic health records (EHR) and hospital information systems (HIS). Many hospital labs using LIS modules have reported integration gaps and scalability limits, expressing concern that their current LIS cannot effectively scale or meet their future growth needs. This highlights the ongoing challenge of achieving true interoperability within complex healthcare information technology (IT) ecosystems. A hospital switching EHR systems often triggers an LIS replacement to ensure seamless connectivity.

Independent or reference laboratories, on the other hand, typically follow a business-to-business (B2B) approach focused on operational ROI and business growth. For these labs, efficiency, revenue enablement, and service differentiation are key drivers. They require an LIS software that can manage high test volumes, integrate with various instruments and client systems, and support robust billing and outreach capabilities.

Regardless of the setting, laboratory information system vendors must offer solutions that address common pain points such as workflow inefficiencies and siloed systems. Many laboratories that adopted enterprise solutions have reported missing capabilities. A survey found one-third of labs said their LIS has notable gaps or doesn’t support certain testing needs, particularly in genomics, cytology, and anatomic pathology. Furthermore, lab directors often worry about reporting and analytics, as legacy systems may lack robust analytics on lab productivity or quality.

Key considerations for any healthcare organization evaluating laboratory information systems examples include:

• Integration and Interfacing Capabilities: The ability to connect with EHRs, instruments, and other external systems using standards like HL7 and FHIR is paramount. According to a HIMSS survey, automating communication between instruments and LIS leads to a 25–40% reduction in manual data entry errors.
• Scalability: The LIS system must be able to handle increasing test volumes and accommodate future growth, including new lab locations or additional testing modalities.
• Regulatory Compliance: The LIS software must support compliance with regulations such as CLIA, CAP, and HIPAA, offering robust audit trails, quality control documentation, and data security features.
• Usability: An intuitive and user-friendly interface is essential for lab staff to efficiently enter and review results.
• Comprehensive Functionality: The system should support all lab disciplines (clinical, microbiology, anatomic pathology, blood bank, genetics) natively on a unified platform, eliminating the need for separate systems or manual workarounds.

Ultimately, the goal for any healthcare entity is to select a laboratory information system that not only meets current operational needs but also positions the lab for future advancements and challenges.

Laboratory Information Systems Examples

To further understand the practical applications of LIS, let’s explore some clinical laboratory information systems examples and how they function in various healthcare settings. These examples demonstrate the diverse capabilities that modern laboratory information system software offers, highlighting why choosing the right system is a critical decision for patient care and operational efficiency.

Many hospitals, for instance, utilize a laboratory information system that offers tight integration with broader hospital platforms. While this can offer streamlined patient information flow across the hospital system, some labs report limitations in specialized functionality, especially in areas like genomics, cytology, and anatomic pathology. This means while general clinical lab functions are covered, highly specialized testing might still require workarounds or additional modules.

Independent reference laboratories often employ a comprehensive LIS system that supports high-volume processing, complex workflows, and extensive outreach capabilities. For these labs, the laboratory information system software must facilitate client management, billing, and robust reporting to referring physicians. Features like online portals for order entry and result retrieval are crucial for maintaining client satisfaction and attracting new business. A well-chosen LIS software in this setting directly contributes to the lab’s competitive edge and profitability. Laboratories using integrated digital workflows report a 25% faster test result delivery compared to labs relying on standalone systems. This emphasizes the direct impact of robust laboratory information system software on turnaround time, a critical metric for independent labs.

Specialized laboratories, such as those focusing on molecular diagnostics or genetics, represent another important laboratory information systems example. These labs require LIS software capable of managing complex test orders, handling large volumes of genetic data, and integrating with advanced analytical instruments and bioinformatics tools. The ability of the LIS system to track samples through intricate workflows, manage gene panels, and generate comprehensive molecular reports is paramount. Without a specialized system, these labs often resort to manual tracking or multiple disparate systems, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors. For instance, in one study approximately 7% of lab results entered manually did not match the instrument’s output, with 14% of those errors being clinically significant. A full-featured LIS helps in removing human errors.

Other laboratory information systems examples in healthcare include those used in public health laboratories, which focus on surveillance testing, outbreak management, and adherence to specific reporting guidelines, often to governmental agencies. Blood bank LIS solutions are another distinct category, managing the complex process of blood product inventory, cross-matching, and transfusion records, with stringent safety and regulatory requirements.

In all these cases, the effectiveness of the LIS system hinges on its ability to support the lab’s specific operational needs, integrate with existing technology, and adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes. An LIS software that provides robust automation, comprehensive data management, and strong reporting capabilities is essential for all types of laboratories to deliver accurate and timely results, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.

Choosing the Right LIS

Selecting the appropriate LIS system is a pivotal decision for any laboratory, impacting everything from daily operations to long-term strategic goals. The process involves careful consideration of your lab’s unique needs, including its test menu, volume, specialties, and integration requirements. You must define clear selection criteria and assess whether the LIS software offers functional fit, supports compliance with regulations such as CAP, CLIA, and HIPAA, and ensures robust data security. Scalability, ease of use, and the vendor’s reputation and support are also critical factors. Many labs now prefer systems that are continuously updated, such as cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) models, to benefit from improvements and stay current with minimal effort.

For laboratories seeking the best LIS software, SCC Soft Computer offers SoftLab®. SoftLab is a modern and efficient LIS system designed for both simple and complex workflows, customizable to client needs to achieve maximum productivity. SCC’s solution provides an integrated suite covering clinical lab, microbiology, anatomic pathology, cytology, genetics, and more, all on a unified platform. SoftLab 5.0 is fully web-based and built for high interoperability, integrating with EMR/HIS, instruments, reference labs, and even cloud services. This ensures your lab can handle growing test volumes without increasing staff due to its automation and efficient design. SoftLab’s streamlined workflows help clients do more in less time, decreasing costs and maximizing tech time. With over 40 years of experience, SCC provides the expertise and support necessary for complex LIS implementations in large, multisite environments.