Insights

September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month. 2020’s theme is “Expect newborn screening.” Newborn screening is a state public health service that reaches each of the nearly 4 million babies born in the United States each year. It ensures that all babies are screened for certain serious conditions at birth and for those babies with those conditions, it allows doctors to start treatment before some of the harmful effects happen.

World Patient Safety Day is celebrated on September 17. This year WHO will launch a global campaign emphasizing health worker safety as a prerequisite for patient safety and urging people to show their commitment to make health care safer for everyone. Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety has been selected as the theme for this year. The 2020 theme will be promoted through the slogan “Safe health workers, Safe patients.”

As DNA sequence- and MALDI-TOF-based identification of yeasts becomes widespread, we have learned much about the prevalence of cryptic species within species complexes.

Robert Bowden, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA Claire Burbick, Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, Washington State University, Pullman, MA

There are many factors to consider when a lab identifies the need for referral laboratory services, which can make the process seem overwhelming. Identifying appropriate qualification criteria and establishing a selection process are the foundational elements for choosing a referral laboratory.

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, many lessons are being learned, not the least of which is how to better prepare for future pandemics. This includes addressing the ongoing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pandemic, which at a global scale has the potential to eclipse COVID-19.

Children are some of the most difficult patients from whom to collect blood sample specimens. Ensuring safety and efficacy when performing blood draws on pediatric patients, while also accounting for their emotional and physical well-being is of utmost importance.

Nucleic Acid Testing Validation and Verification

Now, more than ever, it’s important to implement a disaster plan for your lab or update your lab’s current plan. Emergencies can impede your lab’s efficiency and sometimes even bring operations to a standstill. Preparation can help ensure that your lab continues to deliver high quality results and keep patients and laboratory workers healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.