Inclusive leadership and psychological safety help laboratory professionals contribute, learn, challenge outdated practices, and strengthen patient care. A healthy laboratory culture is more than a workplace benefit. It shapes whether people share concerns, contribute ideas, collaborate across roles, and act quickly when patient safety is at stake. A laboratory is like a tapestry. Every person…
A practical guide to securing the right equipment, terms, service, and long-term value for your laboratory. At a glance Successful equipment negotiation begins with a clear understanding of the laboratory’s needs, finances, workflow, and growth plans. The goal is not simply to lower the purchase price. It is to create an agreement that defines expectations,…
When laboratory leaders think about security, they often focus on external threats such as cyberattacks, unauthorized visitors, or dangerous pathogens. But some of the most significant risks can come from individuals who already have authorized access to laboratory systems, facilities, and information. Insider threats occur when employees, contractors, or other trusted individuals misuse their access…
CMS Request for Information | Maintain Your Certification Stress-Free | 2026 Labvocate Symposium | 2026 Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference | Inaugural Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) Symposium | New Products in ASCLS Store | and More CMS Request for Information The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is asking for public comments…
Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary ASCLS Past President Kyle Riding expresses gratitude to laboratory professionals for their persistent and skilled advocacy efforts—”Labvocacy”—which protect high standards, ensure quality patient care, and responsibly guide regulatory and technological changes within laboratory medicine. He emphasizes that such advocacy is a critical, ongoing professional responsibility integral to…
Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary The author reflects on the critical role of medical laboratory technologists in patient advocacy through ensuring accurate test results, effective communication with healthcare teams, and upholding professional standards to protect patient safety. She emphasizes that advocacy occurs both at individual and systemic levels in healthcare settings. Eleanor…
Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary Medical laboratory professionals play a critical role in patient care by ensuring test results are reliable, meaningful, and appropriately used. This article urges laboratorians to move beyond “test performers” and become consultative partners through clearer communication, diagnostic stewardship, and real-time advocacy that helps clinicians understand test limitations,…
Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary This article emphasizes that effective advocacy for laboratory professionals begins with fostering understanding and changing perceptions through authentic conversations and personal interactions. These connections lay the groundwork for policy changes and professional recognition by helping legislators, healthcare administrators, educators, and students appreciate the value and expertise of…
Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary Written in the witty voice of Lady Whistledown, this letter discusses the evolving role of laboratory professionals who, traditionally unseen, are increasingly engaging in advocacy to influence healthcare decisions. Lady Whistledown explores the various advocacy roles laboratorians can take on to ensure their voice shapes healthcare policy…
Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary Stephanie Noblit, a medical laboratory scientist turned lawyer, applies her scientific expertise in toxicology to her current role in health policy and substance use/addiction law. She bridges the gap between science and law by interpreting drug testing and researching novel psychoactive substances to inform legal and legislative…