LIS for GI Labs

Best Practices for Managing GI Biopsies in Modern Labs

by

Abstract:

As gastrointestinal (GI) disorders become increasingly prevalent, pathology labs are under pressure to manage a growing number of biopsy samples with speed, accuracy, and consistency. This blog explores the essential best practices in GI biopsy processing, highlighting how streamlined GI pathology workflows and the use of specialized LIS for GI labs can improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce turnaround times, and ensure regulatory compliance. Designed for modern labs navigating rising workloads and complex reporting demands, this guide presents useful strategies to optimize operations and enhance patient outcomes.

Introduction:

The landscape of gastrointestinal (GI) pathology is evolving at a rapid pace. With the increasing volume of endoscopic procedures and rising prevalence of chronic digestive disorders like IBD, celiac disease, and colorectal cancer, the pressure on pathology labs has never been greater. Accurate and timely GI biopsy processing is critical for diagnosis and central to patient care and outcomes. Staying updated in this dynamic field is more important than ever.

Modern pathology labs are now expected to operate with surgical precision and technological sophistication. Delivering consistent, high-quality results while keeping up with rising caseloads, compliance demands, and tighter operational margins has become the new normal. In this fast-paced environment, your skills and adaptability are crucial. Outdated methods can slow down operations and compromise patient safety, making it even more critical to stay ahead of the curve.

That’s why embracing efficient GI pathology workflows and utilizing a robust LIS for GI labs is more than a choice—it’s a strategic necessity. This blog dives into the best practices modern labs should follow to handle GI biopsies with accuracy, speed, and scalability. Whether you’re a lab manager, pathologist, or technician, understanding how to streamline biopsy processing from collection to reporting can help your lab stay ahead of the curve.

Understanding the Complexity of GI Biopsies

GI biopsies are among the most commonly performed diagnostic procedures. They can include tissue samples from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, or rectum—each requiring meticulous attention to detail in handling, labeling, processing, and interpretation.

The complexity of GI biopsy processing stems from the following:

  1. Small tissue size: These samples are often minute and easily lost or damaged.
  2. High volume: Labs can receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of GI specimens daily.
  3. Specimen variety: Samples from multiple sites must be correctly mapped and distinguished.
  4. Urgency: GI issues, especially in cases of cancer suspicion or inflammatory bowel disease, demand fast diagnosis.

These factors place enormous pressure on labs to get things right the first time—every time. Errors in GI biopsy processing can lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and compromised patient outcomes, underscoring the critical need for adherence to best practices.

Best Practice #1: Standardize Specimen Collection and Labeling

Proper GI biopsy management begins before the sample ever reaches the lab. Clear protocols for collection and labeling reduce ambiguity, prevent mix-ups, and streamline downstream processing.

Recommendations:

  • Use pre-printed barcode labels for every biopsy jar to ensure consistent tracking from accession to report.
  • Request site-specific specimen jars during endoscopy (e.g., “colon, ascending” vs. “colon, descending”) to avoid confusion later.
  • Educate clinicians and staff on labeling accuracy and the importance of detailed requisitions, including clinical history and anatomical location.

A well-organized beginning ensures a smooth, error-free workflow throughout the pathology chain.

Best Practice #2: Optimize GI Biopsy Grossing

In the grossing phase, lab technologists or pathologist assistants examine, orient, and place the tissue for embedding. Grossing protocols must be consistent, precise, and designed to preserve tissue integrity for GI biopsies.

Key Steps:

  • Use biopsy sponges or mesh cassettes to prevent tissue loss.
  • Align multiple biopsies from one site together but ensure clear separation from different anatomical regions.
  • Document tissue orientation (e.g., mucosal surface up) to aid pathologist interpretation.

Labs reduce specimen variability and improve diagnostic consistency by implementing grossing guidelines and standard checklists.

Best Practice #3: Streamline Histology Processing for Small Specimens

GI tissues are fragile and must be handled with care. Special techniques in histology can preserve the quality of the slides and improve sectioning and staining outcomes.

Histology Tips for GI Biopsy Processing:

  • Use gentle processing cycles designed for small tissue samples to avoid over-dehydration.
  • Ensure paraffin infiltration is complete for thin mucosal specimens.
  • Maintain clear orientation during embedding so tissue is sectioned correctly the first time.

Automation tools, like tissue processors with GI-specific protocols, can significantly improve consistency and reduce manual errors.

Best Practice #4: Create a GI-Specific Pathology Workflow

A generic pathology workflow often isn’t enough for the unique demands of GI cases. Designing a GI pathology workflow that reflects specimen volume, reporting urgency, and clinical complexity is critical.

Considerations for GI Workflows:

  • Batch and prioritize specimens based on urgency (e.g., STAT cases for cancer suspicion).
  • Implement template-driven reporting with GI-specific terminology and checklists for conditions like Barrett’s esophagus, IBD, or adenomas.
  • Enable pathologist collaboration and review workflows, particularly in academic or high-volume labs.

This targeted approach helps labs meet expectations for turnaround times while preserving quality and diagnostic depth.

Best Practice #5: Leverage a LIS Designed for GI Labs

One of the most powerful ways to manage GI biopsy processing efficiently is by using a purpose-built LIS for GI labs. A traditional LIS may support general functions, but GI-specific labs require more focused tools to handle specimen tracking, documentation, and reporting in a streamlined, intuitive manner.

Features to Look for in an LIS for GI Labs:

  • Customizable accessioning tools to handle multiple specimens per patient per procedure.
  • GI-specific templates and synoptic reports for consistency and regulatory readiness.
  • Built-in image support allows endoscopic images to be attached to cases.
  • Automatic QA flags and compliance checks to maintain standards across all instances.
  • Integration with digital pathology platforms and EHR systems to ensure smooth data exchange.

Solutions like SpeedsPath provide this tailored LIS experience, helping GI pathology labs increase throughput, reduce human error, and simplify case management.

Best Practice #6: Empower Pathologists with Structured Reporting

GI pathologists often review dozens of similar-looking slides a day. Structured and synoptic reporting enables standardization, speeds up documentation, and improves diagnostic reproducibility.

Best Practices for Reporting:

  • Use predefined macros or templates for common GI findings (e.g., “chronic active colitis,” “mild dysplasia”).
  • Include site-specific interpretation when multiple biopsies are submitted from different anatomical locations.
  • Allow smart fields or dropdowns within the LIS for faster data entry without compromising accuracy.
  • Structured reporting also improves readability for referring clinicians and enhances data quality for research and outcomes analysis.

Best Practice #7: Build in Quality Control at Every Step

Even a small error can lead to significant diagnostic consequences with high volumes and small specimens. Embedding quality control (QC) into every stage of the GI pathology workflow prevents mistakes and promotes consistency.

Suggested QC Measures:

  • Double-check label-to-slide matching during embedding and sectioning.
  • Use slide tracking software or barcode scanners to verify slide identity before sign-out.
  • Run daily audits or random spot checks to monitor errors, turnaround times, and discrepancies.
  • Regularly record and review metrics such as tissue recovery rate, re-cuts, and case sign-out times.

With the help of a smart LIS, many of these QC tasks can be automated or flagged in real-time.

Best Practice #8: Focus on Communication and Turnaround Time

Fast, clear communication is critical when GI pathologists work closely with gastroenterologists and clinicians. Your lab’s ability to provide timely results can impact treatment decisions, patient outcomes, and clinician satisfaction.

Ways to Improve TAT and Communication:

  • Use your LIS to alert physicians when reports are ready automatically.
  • Offer real-time dashboards or web portals for providers to track specimen progress.
  • Set internal turnaround time benchmarks and review them regularly to find bottlenecks.
  • Ensure your LIS integrates with the provider’s EHR system for seamless report delivery.

A strong LIS solution like SpeedsPath can help reduce reporting time, improve clarity, and facilitate rapid follow-up—all while keeping the lab running smoothly.

Best Practice #9: Stay Current with Regulatory and Technological Advancements

The world of GI pathology is constantly evolving. New diagnostic markers, molecular testing methods, and digital pathology tools are changing the landscape. Staying current with technology and compliance requirements ensures your lab remains relevant and competitive.

Keep Your Lab Future-Ready By:

  • Participating in continuing education programs for GI pathology.
  • Reviewing CAP and CLIA updates regularly.
  • Exploring AI-powered diagnostic tools for pre-screening or decision support.
  • Working with LIS vendors who evolve with the industry and offer ongoing updates, training, and support.

Why the Right LIS Makes All the Difference

It’s clear that success in GI biopsy processing is about more than microscope slides and staining protocols. It’s about having an integrated, intelligent, and efficient system that seamlessly connects people, processes, and data. A robust LIS purpose-built for GI pathology brings everything together, from accurate specimen tracking and rapid reporting to intuitive workflows and automated quality checks. That’s why labs across the country are turning to SpeedsPath—a pathology LIS platform designed to meet the complex needs of modern GI labs. With custom reporting, built-in compliance tools, real-time dashboards, and scalability to grow with your lab, SpeedsPath takes the guesswork out of case management and gives your team the confidence to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional patient care.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your GI Biopsy Workflow with Purpose-Driven Practices

Managing GI biopsies in today’s high-demand, data-intensive environment requires more than clinical skill—it requires strategy, systems, and the proper support. From collection and grossing to histology, reporting, and communication, every touchpoint in the GI biopsy process is an opportunity to improve accuracy, efficiency, and care delivery. By adopting best practices and leveraging the power of a specialized LIS for GI labs, pathology labs can meet today’s challenges and stay ahead of tomorrow’s demands. So when you’re ready to transform your GI pathology workflow with technology that works with you, not against you, SpeedsPath is here to help.