LAB BENEFITS

 

 

Lee H. Hilborne, M.D., Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA -  Los Angeles

USA TODAY's article "For doctors, diagnosing gets a technological boost" did not mention one of the most important hospital resources for disease diagnosis: the clinical laboratory. From diagnosis to recovery, the objective information gathered by clinical lab professionals drives approximately 70% of all clinical decisions (Life, Sept. 6).

When a doctor diagnoses a condition and prescribes a therapy, he or she does this in partnership with laboratory professionals who help interpret test results and convey these data to your doctor.

The omission speaks volumes about how little is known about the role laboratory professionals play in health care.

CSI and other crime television shows have drawn attention to forensic laboratorians, but clinical laboratorians save lives and reduce suffering in every U.S. hospital every day.

Source:           USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.     September 21,  2007