The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Purchase Lab Pathology Software
Purchasing new lab pathology software can present many difficulties. After all, finding a system that works for the entire lab is no easy task, as both the medical director and the lab technicians must have access to the system.
You should take many factors into account before buying a new system. First, check out what's available on the market. After seeing the availability, consider the following factors when purchasing new lab pathology software.
Objectives: What Are Your Goals with This New Software?
Determine what features you need before you make the decision to purchase the lab pathology software.
Ask yourself:- Why do you want to buy this new software?
- How you will use it at each stage of the workflow?
The role of every lab pathology software is to record, update, manage, store, and report diagnostic results in the fastest time possible. But several micro-tasks need to be accomplished for these objectives to be met, such as:
- Tracking and reporting results
- Receiving and organizing orders
- Breaking down specimens to be analyzed
- Quality control of the samples
Properly-installed lab pathology software should handle all these tasks . It should also allow for recording and managing data for later analysis to reduce errors.
Costs: How Much Will It Cost?
Cost is always a significant factor to consider when purchasing lab pathology software. Besides the upfront cost, backend costs should be calculated in advance. You should analyze the labor costs of installing the software and its maintenance while it's in use.
Additionally, there are costs associated with subscription fees and licenses for specific programs. In case these programs are updated and modified over the years, the costs could add up. Hence, consider more than just the price tag you see.
Usability: How Easy It Is to Use?
A typical lab pathology software usually generates reports for hospitals, doctors, and patients. So it should be able to create documents that are easy to read for any layperson.
Your management software should handle external expectations and demands such as:
- calls from physicians' offices seeking results
- inquiries from patients looking for their results and
- requests from the government, public health agencies, and other institutions to manually send reports to them.
A software program that can't handle these external expectations and demands won't be very useful to you. Invest in pathology software that is flexible and customizable. This will enable you to present information in a way that is readable to everyone.
Deployment: Whether the Lab Pathology Software Is Cloud-Based?
Traditional on-premises software has become a thing of the past. Cloud-based software is the new trend in technology since it can make the process and maintenance a lot more efficient.
Additionally, most labs may find the overall costs of maintaining an on-premises system to be too high. Also, there aren't many vendors of lab pathology software that offer this as a choice.
Implementation: How Easy It Is to Implement?
Although you may expect the lab pathology software to be plug-and-play, it doesn't work that way. It takes time, money, and energy to implement it properly. So you should nail it the first time by entrusting the task to a professional.
Flexibility: Is the Software Flexible?
Not every lab pathology software is suitable for every lab, so you should prioritize flexibility when choosing a new software program.
An ideal system should provide you with customizable report templates that you can tweak and re-format. This way, you can create documents suitable for any department in the lab.
Features such as personalization, saved preferences, full-color rich text, diagrams, and images should be readily available too. This allows for the data to be presented in an intelligible manner.
Integration: How Compatible It Is with Other Software?
It's critical that lab pathology software works well with other applications. This holds true regardless of whether you intend to add to or install an entirely new system or set up new programs.
This is because conflict causes the workflow to slow down or, worse yet, stop entirely. Also, it takes time to find workable, secure solutions to software conflicts.
Compatibility is thus crucial when using digital tools in the medical field. Software programs must be compatible with each other to complete the tasks at hand. They should, in a metaphorical sense, "talk" to one another so that they can complete the work more efficiently.
Troubleshooting: Is End-User Support Available?
Even after the software program has been installed, ongoing support is crucial. Technical support is essential when bugs and issues arise. Choose software developers that can provide you with the assistance you need to work out the kinks.
Scalability: Is the Software Scalable for Future Growth?
It's critical to have pathology software that can adapt to your changing needs as your laboratory expands. The usage of the software will increase as the workload in your lab rises. So it's crucial to invest in a software solution that can handle this growth without encountering bugs, glitches, or errors.
Final Thoughts
The field of pathology software is constantly changing and evolving. Using outdated software that can't meet your needs can hinder your lab's progress and reputation. It's best to invest in software that can provide the best results, both financially and operationally.
Therefore, if you're looking to improve your lab's workflow and reputation by implementing the right pathology software, there are resources available to help. Consider scheduling a consultation with an expert to determine which software solution will best serve your needs.
