Every time a lab misplaces a sample or mixes up patient reports, someone’s health is on the line. Labs can’t afford that kind of slip, especially not when they’re processing thousands of tests a day.
So how do they keep it all straight?
A Lab Information System (LIS) isn’t just helpful. It’s survival mode for clinical labs. It tracks samples from the moment they arrive. It tells techs which tests to run. It connects results to the right patient without fail. And it does it all under strict rules set by regulators and hospitals.
Consider this: up to 68% of lab errors happen before the test even starts, during the pre-analytical phase, often due to manual processes like mislabeling or mishandling specimens.
If you’re planning to build health tech tools, especially for diagnostics, you need to know what is a Lab Information System and how it works. This post explains exactly what it is and what happens behind the scenes when a test gets ordered and processed.
What is a Laboratory Information System (LIS)?
A Laboratory Information System (LIS) is the software that runs the operations of a clinical lab. It’s not just a record-keeping tool. It manages everything from registering a patient’s test request to logging the results and sending them back to the right person.
When a doctor orders a test, the LIS assigns that test to a patient record, creates a sample label, and tells lab staff what needs to be done. Once the test is completed, the LIS attaches the result to the patient’s file and pushes the report to whoever ordered it.
The key job of an LIS is to remove guesswork. It shows the lab techs which samples are pending, which instruments are in use, and what results are ready to report. Every step gets tracked with a timestamp and a user ID, which means there’s a clear audit trail for compliance.
Labs that handle thousands of tests a day can’t operate at scale without an LIS. It saves time, reduces human errors, and keeps the lab running within regulatory rules. For healthtech teams building diagnostic tools or integrations, understanding how LIS fits into the lab workflow is not optional.
Key Features of an LIS
An LIS handles a lot more than just storing lab results. It runs the entire process behind the scenes, keeping everything in order from the first test request to the final report.
1. Sample Tracking
Every sample that enters the lab gets a unique ID. The LIS logs where it came from, who collected it, what tests are needed, and where it goes next. If a sample moves across departments, the system updates its location in real time. Nothing gets lost in transit.
2. Test Management
Lab techs don’t check paper slips to see what tests to run. The LIS assigns tests automatically based on the doctor’s request and tells which instruments to use. It also checks if the machine ran the test correctly, flags errors, and helps rerun tests if needed.
3. Result Reporting
Once a test is complete, the LIS stores the data and matches it to the patient’s profile. It can send the result directly to electronic health record systems or notify the doctor through alerts. Some systems even generate preliminary reports if full validation is pending.
4. Alerts and Audit Logs
If something unusual happens—a delayed result, a mismatched sample, or a machine error—the LIS raises a flag. Everything is logged with a timestamp. That audit trail becomes critical when labs are inspected or when there’s a need to trace how a result was produced.
These features make sure the lab doesn’t rely on memory or manual notes. For software teams building healthtech solutions, these are the core functions to understand before touching LIS integration or development.
How Does an LIS Work?
An LIS keeps lab operations smooth, traceable, and fast. Here’s how the system works in practice:
A Test Order Is Placed
A doctor enters a request through the hospital’s EHR. The LIS receives this request through an interface, assigns a unique test ID, and links it to the patient’s digital profile. This connection ensures the sample, the test, and the results always trace back to the right person. For healthtech systems, this interface must be seamless and secure to prevent data mismatches or processing delays.
A Sample Label Is Generated Automatically
The LIS creates a barcode or QR label containing test details and patient info. This label is printed and attached to the sample container. Every step after this depends on the label, so it is not just about speed. It is about accuracy and traceability. Automating this process reduces manual errors that healthtech developers often aim to eliminate.
Sample Is Collected And Scanned Into The System
The barcode is scanned when the sample is taken. The LIS logs who collected it, when, from where, and under what conditions. This data travels with the sample. For software teams, it is critical that this logging process is fast, reliable, and audit-ready. It forms the first checkpoint in the chain of custody.
The LIS Routes The Test To The Correct Instrument
Based on the test type, the system tells lab staff which analyzer to use. It checks machine availability, calibration status, and existing queues. If the device is not ready, the system holds the test until it is. This kind of dynamic routing is what makes LIS essential in labs with high sample volumes. Healthtech platforms must be able to handle equipment status and resource allocation at scale.
Testing Is Done, And Results Are Fed Back Into The LIS
The instrument runs the test and sends results directly to the LIS. The system checks for out-of-range values or test inconsistencies. If something seems off, it flags it for a manual review. This built-in validation ensures only reliable data reaches the physician. For developers, this is where data accuracy and clinical logic intersect. Both must work without fail.
Final Reports Are Generated And Delivered
Once verified, the LIS attaches the results to the patient’s record and sends a notification to the ordering doctor. This can happen through a direct EHR link, a secure portal, or even a mobile app. The delivery method must match the hospital or clinic’s setup, which is why interoperability is a core focus for healthtech software teams.
The Entire Process Is Logged For Compliance
Every action from order to result is time-stamped and user-tagged. If anything is questioned later, the LIS provides a full trace of what happened. This audit trail is non-negotiable for meeting regulatory standards like CLIA or HIPAA, which healthtech platforms must support out of the box.
This flow repeats hundreds or thousands of times a day in large labs. A well-built LIS keeps it all running without delays or data loss. And for anyone building healthtech tools, this workflow sets the foundation for everything from lab automation to patient-facing reporting.
Conclusion
Labs don’t just run tests. They manage constant streams of patient data, handle strict compliance rules, and work under pressure to deliver accurate results fast. A Lab Information System sits at the center of all this. It is not a nice-to-have. It is what makes the entire operation possible without falling apart.
For healthtech companies building diagnostic platforms, lab tools, or middleware integrations, understanding how an LIS works is not optional. It shapes how your software will fit into existing lab workflows, how data will move between systems, and how errors will be caught before they become liabilities.
This is also where the value of healthtech partnerships shows up. Labs rarely have the in-house tech teams to build or scale LIS solutions. That is where outsourced product teams step in. But those teams need a deep, practical understanding of LIS mechanics. Otherwise, integrations break, compliance fails, and timelines slip.
FAQs
1. Is an LIS only used in hospitals?
No. An LIS is used in hospitals, private labs, pathology centers, and diagnostic networks. Any setup that handles test requests, samples, and reports benefits from having one in place. Even small labs use cloud-based LIS tools to keep up with reporting and compliance needs.
2. How is an LIS different from an LIMS?
An LIS is focused on clinical diagnostics, patient data, and healthcare regulations. A LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) is used more in research and industrial labs where the focus is on experiments, inventory, or batch testing. While they overlap in some functions, they serve different use cases.
3. Can an LIS integrate with other systems like EHR or billing platforms?
Yes. A modern LIS should support integrations with Electronic Health Record systems, billing software, public health registries, and analytics tools. These integrations are critical for creating a unified workflow across departments.
4. What challenges come with building an LIS?
Building an LIS involves strict compliance requirements, handling sensitive patient data, and managing real-time workflows. Developers must understand how labs operate to design tools that are fast, reliable, and auditable. Without that context, even basic tasks like sample tracking can break under pressure.
5. Can EngineerBabu help us build or integrate a custom LIS?
Yes. EngineerBabu has worked with several healthtech startups to design and build compliant, scalable LIS and diagnostic systems. Whether you need a full LIS solution or want to integrate with existing tools, their team understands both the tech stack and the clinical workflow behind it.