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.
ASCLS is rolling out a new and improved Mentorship Program for the 2020-21 Society year. The program pairs up mentors and mentees for one year to create a supportive environment that fosters a feeling of belonging and value as a member of the ASCLS community. Participants will develop meaningful relationships with mentors to promote personal…
Ian Wallace, MLS(ASCP)CM Throughout our schooling, laboratory professionals are taught the importance of utilizing platelet and white blood cell (WBC) estimates to verify a potential analyzer error or an issue with the specimen tested. However, with how efficient analyzers have become, I have recognized that we repeatedly forget that estimates remain important—even if the analyzer…
Stacy E. Walz, PhD, MT(ASCP), ASCLS Patient Safety Committee Chair Way back in the late 1990s, patient safety and medical errors were highlighted in a groundbreaking report entitled, “To Err Is Human,” followed quickly by another report entitled, “Crossing the Quality Chasm,” suggesting six aims for high quality healthcare. Those six aims—safety, effectiveness, efficiency, patient-centeredness,…
Maja Chloupkova, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CMSCCM, ASCLS-Oregon Brenda Kochis, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS-Washington Our journey of the 2020 Virtual Northwest Medical Laboratory Symposium (NWMLS) began early this year with the certainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The team quickly recognized that we could not realistically plan on a four-day physical event in October. Initially, we were uncertain of what we…
Maddie Josephs, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS President Much has been said about the dedication of medical laboratory professionals over the years, and this has only been highlighted during these past several challenging months. I have often said how proud I am of my colleagues in the trenches who go about their duties in their quiet and…
Beth Warning, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, AHI, ASCLS Region IV Director Meighan Sharp, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS-Michigan Government Affairs Committee Co-chair Most often we hear about resistance to change, where people fear it, run from it, and drag their heels to avoid it. We fear the loss of control over what we know and are comfortable with. We fear…
Audrey Folsom, DHSc, MSHS, MT(ASCP) Photo credit: Abdrahim Oulfakir, Unsplash Stress is an inevitable part of life. Some stresses are desirable, such as the birth of a child; some are undesirable, such as the loss of a loved one. Situations such as the novel coronavirus pandemic increase stress and anxiety due to the uncertainty it…
Laboratory students are facing new issues due to COVID-19, like the transition to online classes, delayed or shortened clinical rotations, and limited access to certification exams. Despite general feelings of uncertainty, many have shown considerable resilience and made the most of their situations. Below, each of the new Developing Professionals Forum officers share their personal…
Pat Tille, PhD, MT(ASCP) It is the middle of August and the weather is in the 80s and 90s. There is a global pandemic, so all your interactions are limited only to those you share your household with or close family, due to assisting with childcare or other needs as you can. Activities outdoors are…
BE AN INFORMED VOTER IN 2020 Stephanie Noblit, Esp., MLS(ASCP)CM, Jessica Lawless, MLS(ASCP)CM Photo credit: Tom Arthur 2020 brought forth numerous challenges. Whether you consider dealing with challenges to be fun and exciting, or nerve racking and stressful, this year has not been dull, to say the least. Additionally, during this tumultuous time, it is…