ASCLS Today is the membership newsletter of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

To submit an article for ASCLS Today, contact Editor Debra Rodahl.

Work phone and personal phone

A Tale of Two Phones

Volume 38 Number 6 | December 2024 Heather R. Parks, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor Or shall I say, many, many phones. And phone calls. While brainstorming about patient safety, I thought back to times when I (gasp!) have made mistakes in the lab. Usually, I did not hit save on the computer, I…

Kristen Smith and Amanda Suchanek

Antimicrobial Breakpoints Are Key to Patient Safety

Volume 38 Number 6 | December 2024 Kristen L. Smith, PhD, D(ABMM) Amanda Suchanek, PhD Our role as medical laboratory science professionals is to provide information that clinicians can use to guide treatment of their patients. This directive is intimately tied to patient safety. From developing the test menu to the final interpretation of test…

Victoria Roop

Laboratory Involvement in Patient Safety Measures

Volume 38 Number 6 | December 2024 Victoria Roop, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor Laboratory medicine plays an important role in the clinician’s care of patients. Therefore, it is important for laboratory professionals to implement an effective quality assurance (QA) program with the focal point on patient safety to be able to identify and prevent…

Glen McDaniel

Bioethics and the Clinical Laboratorian

Volume 38 Number 6 | December 2024 The Laboratory’s Role Goes beyond Performing any Ordered Test Glen McDaniel, MS, MBA, MLS(ASCP), DLM(ASCP) Bioethics involves many areas, but in the public’s mind, the concentration is on the topical issues of embryo and stem cell research, assisted reproduction, human cloning, and end-of-life issues. As in most things…

Ali (Nussbaum) Murphy

Imposter Syndrome: Impact on Patient Safety

Volume 38 Number 6 | December 2024 Ali (Nussbaum) Murphy, MHHSA, MLS(ASCP)CM, caPM, ASCLS Director Imposter syndrome (IS) is a psychological disorder that impacts an individual’s view of themselves and presents as misplaced lack of self-esteem. Super go-getter perfectionists who struggle with accomplishments or struggle with self-confidence, even though they are highly proficient, are common…

ASCLS Call for Nominations

Volume 38 Number 6 | December 2024 Looking for Future Leaders At the ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting in June 2025, ASCLS delegates will choose from the candidates who have indicated a willingness to serve in a leadership position for the coming year. This is one of the many benefits and responsibilities of…

Sarah Steinberg

Phoenix Rising: My Journey from Burnout to Renewal

Volume 38 Number 5 | October 2024 Sarah Steinberg, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Ascending Professionals Forum Vice Chair A year ago, I shared my intimate experience with burnout. This is my phoenix story—how I not only survived but also began thriving, learning, and living again. For those who read my previous article, “The Trials and Tribulations…