Medical laboratory support in a field medical unit during earthquake relief activities

ABSTRACT

Managing a clinical laboratory in peace time presents many challenges including supplies, instrument downtimes and personal issues. We observe the same and many more at an exaggerated scale while working in a field medical laboratory in an austere environment. Lab staff and pathologist have not only to carry out routine duty of performing lab investigations but many other tasks assigned to them in the field. Some of the requirements for a good laboratory service in the field include motivated staff, supplies including proper equipment and reagents along with their backups, power supply, adequate space, storage facilities, communication skills and a good administration. It is a unique experience. The purpose of this study is to present workload distribution along with some observations and impressions regarding medical laboratory support during earthquake disaster in Central Java, Indonesia and suggest measures for improvement of lab services in the field