Anatomic pathology LIS requirements

Why anatomic pathology needs its own LIS

An anatomic pathology LIS manages cases rather than single tests. Each case can hold several parts, each part several blocks, and each block several slides, and the system has to track every one of them from grossing to the pathologist’s signed report.

Clinical lab systems are built around orders that produce numeric results. Histology and anatomic pathology produce narrative diagnoses built on physical material that moves through many hands and stations. A general LIS rarely models that well, which is why so many AP labs still track blocks and slides on paper logs.

The case model: parts, blocks, and slides

• Case accessioning with case numbers by specimen type, and parts recorded at intake.
• Barcode labels for containers, cassettes, and slides, printed at the station where they are created.
• Clinical history and prior cases visible to the pathologist alongside the current case.

Block and slide tracking

Look for status at every station: grossing, processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining. The LIS should show which cases are waiting, which are late, and where each block and slide is right now. Barcode scanning at each step replaces handwritten logs and makes lost material rare and easy to trace.

Stains and special procedures

Routine H&E, special stains, and immunohistochemistry orders should be easy to request, including add-on orders from the pathologist, and should flow to the right bench with protocols attached. The system should show what is outstanding on every case before it reaches sign-out.

Pathologist review and sign-out

Sign-out is where an AP LIS earns its keep: a fast review screen, synoptic reporting templates for cancer cases, diagnosis coding, and electronic signatures, with addenda and amendments tracked.

• Synoptic templates that follow the protocols your pathologists use.
• Diagnosis and billing codes captured during sign-out, not after.
• Electronic signature, with addenda and amended reports clearly marked.
• Worklists that show each pathologist their own cases and priorities.

Digital pathology

Whole-slide imaging is changing how cases are reviewed and shared. An AP LIS should link scanned images to the right case and slide, open them from the case, and support remote review and consultation. Ask which scanners and viewers a vendor already connects to, and how images are matched to slides.

Interfaces and billing

Pathology results usually travel to referring providers by HL7 into their EHR, with printed or portal reports for practices that need them. Billing interfaces should carry the right CPT and ICD-10 codes from sign-out, so charges are not rebuilt by hand. See HL7 vs. ASTM for how interfaces work.

Anatomic pathology LIS evaluation checklist

1. Does the system model cases with parts, blocks, and slides?
2. Are labels printed at the station where each item is created?
3. Can we see the status and location of every block and slide?
4. How are special stains and add-on orders requested and tracked?
5. Which synoptic templates are available, and can we edit them?
6. Are diagnosis and billing codes captured during sign-out?
7. Which digital pathology scanners and viewers are connected today?
8. How do reports reach referring providers and billing?

Where Lab Dynamo fits

PathArray is Lab Dynamo’s LIS for histology and anatomic pathology. It tracks specimens from grossing through embedding, sectioning, and staining, manages cassettes, slides, and staining protocols with full traceability, connects to whole-slide imaging scanners and viewers, and provides sign-out with synoptic reporting templates, diagnosis coding, and electronic signatures. Lab Dynamo also builds the HL7 and billing interfaces that connect it to the rest of your lab.