Read on Twitter
POV 
from the lab: As we see increases in ER visits and hospital admits, we’re seeing an increase in labs being sent for analysis, which is to be expected. The duty of the lab is to make sure that you, the care team, are getting quality results to aid in patient care (1/)
from the lab: As we see increases in ER visits and hospital admits, we’re seeing an increase in labs being sent for analysis, which is to be expected. The duty of the lab is to make sure that you, the care team, are getting quality results to aid in patient care (1/)
Even prior to the pandemic, we were working with limited staffing, oftentimes covering more than one bench at a time. The pool of trained laboratory professionals is shrinking, and we need advocates for lab medicine because of the crucial role we play in medicine (2/)
We are trained in topics such as blood bank, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, parasitology, mycology, immunology, coagulation, urinalysis, molecular testing, and other aspects of lab medicine that aren’t strictly science. We have degrees. We went to school. (3/)
After the start of the pandemic, not only were we seeing increases in available testing methods, we soon became inundated with covid tests, sometimes utilizing more than one method of analysis. This means that the already spread thin, were being spread thinner. (4/)
Did you know that, in addition to testing, we have competencies and regulatory requirements we need to have done? Somewhere between the testing, we do QC, validations, direct observation, alarm checks, inventory, maintenance, training,
and a long list of other tasks. (5/)
and a long list of other tasks. (5/)
We share in the frustration that you are experiencing, as we’re overworked and frustrated with the system, and we understand that times are difficult... but we are on the same team of providing for the patient. (6/)
We are inundated with all types of tests, so the turn around times are longer. Depending on the test, I might have 15 specimen when I can only run 2 at a time for a 20 minute testing time. It’s not ideal, but it’s what we’ve got (7/)
Please remember that we are people, we are working, we’re doing our best... and calling and yelling about why you don’t test results is misplacing frustration and anger onto hardworking professionals. (8/)
I implore everyone to take a moment, take a deep breath, and remember that we ALL are coping with the ramifications of the failed handling of the pandemic. We need to do better and look out for each other. Animosity doesn’t belong in medicine 
(end)
(end)
