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.
Marianne T. Downes, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM The American Red Cross reports that in the United States, platelet transfusions are needed every 30 seconds.i This translates into a need of over 1 million platelet units annually. Platelets are clinically useful in a wide array of situations including correcting platelet loss due to massive hemorrhage, platelet deficiency secondary…
Stephanie Godfrey, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS-Missouri President “True leadership lies in guiding others to success and ensuring that everyone is performing at his/her best.” This adapted quote from Bill Owens resonates deeply for many leaders within ASCLS. Succession planning is one of the key tools that we use to ensure continuity and for guiding the next set…
Andrea Pitkus, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Informatics Scientific Assembly Vice Chair Informatics is the study of data, and their use. Often, but not always, the data may be in information or computer systems. Health informatics is, therefore, the generation and use of data used in healthcare, while laboratory informatics is the study of laboratory data. Many…
Judy Moore, B.S. Part 1 of this article appeared in the February 2018 issue and discussed a ranking system created by the AABB to prioritize emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) based on their risk to the blood supply. Three were ranked in the red category which indicated highest priority. They are human variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD),…
D. Wayne Wilson, B.S., MT(AMT) Medical laboratory scientists use their acquired scientific knowledge to correlate a patient’s medical history and laboratory results to validate the patient’s diagnosis. The new information presented is influential in interpreting results, as should be the goal when new ideas are encountered. Diverse ideas are synthesized into new innovative ideas in…
Deb Rodahl, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS President If you want to get something done, just ask a busy person! Why is this? Usually it is because they have a proven track record of getting things done (on time) and they practice the secrets of time management. What are the secrets to time management? The truth is…
Suzanne Campbell, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Past President Priority Pillar: Organizational Efficiency and Internal Communication As I continue to offer information related to the ASCLS Strategic Map, our next pillar is organizational efficiency and internal communication. Supporting this pillar are five foci: Identify and disseminate leadership best practices Ensure a strong culture of mentorship and integrate…
ASCLS invites all members to present their research or other relevant findings at the Annual Meeting Poster Competition to be held during the 86th ASCLS Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. The purpose of the event is to allow ASCLS members an opportunity to present scientific posters while encouraging friendly competition. It also provides a venue…
Louann Lawrence, DrPH, MLS(ASCP)CM, Education and Research Board of Trustees Chair It is time to consider application for 2018 Education and Research (E&R) Fund grants and scholarships. Please encourage undergraduate and graduate students whom you know, as well as ASCLS members doing research, to apply. Application forms and instructions are available at www.ascls.org/awards and the…
Janelle M. Chiasera, PhD, ASCLS Region III Director Fifteen years after the release of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) landmark report, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System, a follow-up report released by the IOM in 2015 makes the case that the delivery of health care continues to proceed with a glaring blind…