The Value of Lab Professionals
Lab professionals work tirelessly for the patients and healthcare institutions they serve. Especially in the face of a global pandemic, the work of lab professionals is critical to diagnosing and preventing disease, as well as improving and maintaining public health and safety. Behind the scenes, lab professionals play a critical—and often lifesaving—role in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Just one key diagnosis can inform optimal treatment and save the life of a patient.
In a single year, over 14 billion laboratory tests are ordered in the United States alone.1 The various tests that are performed in clinical laboratories—and, more importantly, the technologists who perform these tests, interpret and deliver results, and oversee lab operations—form the foundation of our healthcare system. In fact, up to 70% of medical decisions are influenced by laboratory results.1
In 2023, over three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we are more grateful than ever for the critical, behind-the-scenes impact of lab professionals. On top of the business-as-usual billions of test orders, lab professionals have been facing an immense burden since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which brought with it record-breaking demand for rapid and reliable laboratory testing, as well as increased safety and sanitization protocols.
Diagnostic stewardship efforts, like ensuring appropriate testing is available, support antimicrobial stewardship efforts to identify appropriate treatment options. Lab professionals give healthcare providers the actionable answers they need to improve patient management and save lives every day.
Read more about laboratory technologists—the hidden heroes of healthcare—here.