Between the words “let’s run a test” and “the results are in,” is a team of laboratory professionals who make it all possible. Medical laboratory professionals are vital healthcare detectives, working behind the scenes to bring you accurate and informative results. The data they collect helps providers diagnose and treat patients. It also aids in detecting cancer, heart attacks and diabetes, to name a few. In honor of Laboratory Professionals Week, here are more fun facts.
Did you know…
- It is said that 70% of all important decisions regarding a patient’s health involve a laboratory test.
- Laboratories are highly regulated. We are CLIA, CAP, DNV and FDA inspected.
- It’s a team effort. You are likely familiar with our phlebotomists, who are the face of the lab, drawing blood and collecting specimens. However, there are multiple layers of laboratory professionals. Processing technicians are responsible for checking your doctors order against the specimens collected by the phlebotomists. They then prepare the sample for testing and deliver the specimen to the correct location for testing. Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT), Medical Technologists (MT) and Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) are responsible for performing the lab testing.
Happy Medical Laboratory Professionals Week to our healthcare detectives! To celebrate, the week will be filled with raffles, games, prizes, webinars, and the team will even be collecting donations for the St. Joseph Healthcare food pantry (again proving just how awesome they are!)
