URGENT INDUSTRY NEWS | Diagnostic Laboratory Compliance

New Delhi | November 10, 2026

India's pathology and diagnostic laboratory sector is placing increasing importance on quality management, laboratory documentation, sample traceability and accreditation readiness. With growing attention towards NABL accreditation and ISO 15189:2022 requirements, diagnostic laboratories need to review whether their existing systems support reliable, organised and quality-focused operations.

For pathology laboratory owners, maintaining accurate records, ensuring proper sample identification and managing quality documentation are essential parts of laboratory operations. Laboratories should evaluate whether their current manual or digital systems can support applicable quality and accreditation requirements.

Why Is NABL Compliance Important?

ISO 15189:2022 specifies requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories. Laboratories seeking or maintaining NABL accreditation must establish effective quality management processes, maintain appropriate technical records and demonstrate their competence.

Some important areas include:

• Sample Tracking: Proper identification and traceability of samples throughout laboratory workflows.

• Quality Management: Maintaining Quality Control records, Corrective Actions and Non-Conformity documentation.

• Document Management: Keeping laboratory procedures, policies and records organised and accessible.

• Test and Report Management: Maintaining accurate test information and reliable reporting workflows.

• Equipment Records: Maintaining relevant calibration, maintenance and equipment performance records.

• Data Integrity: Ensuring laboratory information remains accurate, secure and properly managed.

These practices help laboratories improve consistency, reduce operational errors and prepare for accreditation assessments.

Why Do Pathology Laboratories Need a Reliable LIMS?

Managing laboratory operations manually can become increasingly challenging as sample volumes, test requirements and patient expectations grow.

A suitable Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) can help diagnostic laboratories organise patient information, track samples, manage test and report workflows, maintain digital records and improve operational consistency.

With digital laboratory management, staff can access relevant information more efficiently, reduce repetitive administrative work and maintain better visibility across laboratory operations.

However, adopting software alone does not guarantee NABL accreditation. Laboratories must implement applicable quality requirements, maintain appropriate procedures and demonstrate their technical competence.

What Should Pathology Laboratory Owners Do Now?

Laboratory owners and managers should proactively evaluate their existing systems and identify areas requiring improvement.

Important steps include:

1. Review the latest applicable NABL requirements.

2. Evaluate existing laboratory documentation and quality management processes.

3. Identify gaps in sample tracking and record management.

4. Assess current LIS/LIMS capabilities.

5. Review quality control, equipment maintenance and calibration records.

6. Improve digital documentation and reporting workflows.

7. Train laboratory staff to follow established quality procedures.

Taking these steps can help laboratories build more organised operations and improve their readiness for quality assessments.

How to Choose the Right LIMS for Your Laboratory

Selecting the right laboratory software is an important decision for diagnostic laboratory owners. A suitable system should support the laboratory's operational requirements and help maintain organised digital workflows.

Before selecting a LIMS, laboratories should evaluate:

• Sample identification and barcode-based tracking capabilities.

• Patient and test information management.

• Test processing and report generation workflows.

• Quality and documentation management support.

• Equipment and analyzer integration capabilities.

• Data security and access management.

• Reporting and operational visibility.

• Suitability for single-location and multi-branch laboratories.

Laboratories should also verify software capabilities through demonstrations and product documentation rather than relying only on marketing claims.

How Digital Laboratory Management Supports Quality Improvement

Digital transformation can help laboratories move towards more structured and consistent operations. Instead of depending entirely on scattered registers, spreadsheets and manual records, laboratories can use connected digital workflows to manage important operational information.

A well-implemented LIMS can support sample traceability, improve access to records, organise test information and strengthen reporting workflows. These capabilities can make day-to-day laboratory management more efficient while supporting the laboratory's broader quality management system.

Final Recommendation: MargLabz – AI-Powered Lab OS

To help laboratories address operational challenges and make laboratory management more organised, MargLabz offers a 100% NABL-aligned LIMS, designed to support diagnostic laboratories through organised digital workflows.

MargLabz provides laboratory management capabilities covering patient and sample management, barcode sample tracking, test and report management, billing, analyzer integration and AI Smart Reports.

For pathology laboratories looking to modernise their operations, MargLabz offers an integrated platform to simplify laboratory workflows, improve operational visibility and support organised documentation practices.

Laboratory owners should remember that software is a supporting tool, not a replacement for accreditation requirements, technical competence, trained personnel or an effective quality management system.

Explore MargLabz – AI-Powered Lab OS and take a step towards smarter diagnostic laboratory management.

Contact MargLabz:

• Phone: +91 98217 77238

• Email: info@marglabz.com

• Website: https://marglabz.com/