Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have heard many stories about the role each healthcare professional has played, and we are sincerely thankful for that. But there is a profession, an essential one, that often goes below the radar of public opinion and that should never be ignored: Laboratory professionals.
Diagnostics are essential as they transform the way diseases can be prevented, treated, and monitored, playing a key role in providing focused healthcare. For many years, diagnostics have been helping healthcare professionals make informed decisions.
Every day, laboratory professionals play an indispensable role in the healthcare ecosystem, engaging in a broad spectrum of activities that go far beyond identifying and mitigating treatment delays for cancer patients. They perform a diverse array of tests, including biochemical, hematological, and microbiological analyses, essential for diagnosing a wide range of conditions from infectious diseases to chronic illnesses.
Moreover, the significance of their work is underscored by the fact that 50-70% of clinical decisions depend on medical laboratory results. This highlights how laboratory professionals not only provide critical support for primary care but also significantly improve outcomes for communities1.
An everyday example: When you require a blood test, there is someone between the person taking your sample and your healthcare professional who is responsible for making the right decision for you based on the results. That “someone” is the laboratory professional, who has been under a lot of pressure in recent years and continues to be, especially after the pandemic.
In this National Lab Week, Roche Diagnostics Canada wants to celebrate, honor, and thank all laboratory professionals. These heroes who often wear lab coats deserve our gratitude for all they do for us, our friends, families, communities, and the healthcare system across Canada. They have been reliable, trustworthy, and a steadfast partner through the pandemic and beyond. Their unwavering commitment, tireless efforts and personal sacrifices have helped save and improve countless lives.
As communities seek to learn from the pandemic, there is a need for inclusivity in health human resources strategies, and that includes investing in laboratory professionals. We need more of them; we need to take care of them; we need to recognize them... Let’s take the time to celebrate them!
Happy Lab Week to all our Lab Heroes across Canada!
References:
1 Amukele T, Schroeder L. What is the value of clinical laboratory testing? J Appl Lab Med. 2017:339-41.
Hiltunen M. Dispelling the 70% claim with laboratory’s true value. MedicalLab Management. October 2017. Pp 8-12.
Laboratory Services Expert Panel. November 12, 2015.
Rohr UP, Binder C, Dieterle T et al. The value of in vitro diagnostic testing in medical practice: a status report. PLoS One. 2016;11(3):e0149856
Roche Diagnostics Academy: The all-in-one portal offers access to multiple digital products and services, making it easier to manage your laboratory.
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