AN ANALYSIS OF THE ONGOING CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES IN THE U.S

Laboratory medicine and the services provided throughout the healthcare system remain critical components in the ability to deliver quality patient care. Over the years and as of recently, due to COVID-19, delivery of proper care has been challenged with continual staffing constraints within the clinical laboratory. While this is not a new issue, its exacerbation poses an ongoing threat to clinical laboratories nationwide and has many healthcare administrators and executives searching for viable solutions. This paper focuses on exploring the depth and breadth of the issue to get to the root of the cause(s) of the critical shortage. Once these keys issues are identified, then realistic and effective solutions can be proposed and implemented throughout the laboratory field.

Exploring the challenges for medical tourism in the United Arab Emirates during the Covid-19 pandemic era: a stakeholder perspective

PurposeThis paper explores medical tourism development challenges in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pre- and during Covid-19. Medical tourism is becoming a dynamic, rapid growth area and an engine of economic development.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews were conducted with medical tourism professionals. Fourteen medical tourism stakeholders were interviewed from 1 January to 31 January 2020. Qualitative thematic analysis was applied on medical tourism challenges before and during the pandemic.FindingsThe major themes indicated concerns for medical tourism in the UAE and they included higher medical services costs and a shortage of highly qualified medical expertise. The emerging themes related to the challenges of coping with Covid-19 and strategies to attract medical tourists.Originality/valueThis study contributes towards (1) the theory of medical tourism, (2) the related limited prior published work on this topic relating to the UAE and (3) the importance of medical tourism in today's tourism industry. Additionally, there are theoretical and practical implications for medical tourism stakeholders in terms of attracting inbound medical tourists to the UAE from other countries during the Covid-19 crisis and in the post-pandemic situation.

Identification of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant C22995A using a high-resolution melting curve RT-FRET-PCR.

Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 variants is essential for formulating effective control policies. Currently, variants are only identified in relatively small percentages of cases as the required genome sequencing is expensive, time-consuming, and not always available. In countries with facilities to sequence the SARS-CoV-2, the Delta variant currently predominates. Elsewhere, the prevalence of the Delta variant is unclear. To avoid the need for sequencing, we investigated a RT-FRET-PCR that could detect all SARS-CoV-2 strains and simultaneously identify the Delta variant. The established Delta RT-FRET-PCR was performed on reference SARS-CoV-2 strains, and human nasal swab samples positive for the Delta and non-Delta strains. The Delta RT-FRET-PCR established in this study detected as few as ten copies of the DNA target and 100 copies of RNA target per reaction. Melting points of products obtained with SARS-CoV-2 Delta variants (around 56.1°C) were consistently higher than products obtained with non-Delta strains (around 52.5°C). The Delta RT-FRET-PCR can be used to diagnose COVID-19 patients and simultaneously identify if they are infected with the Delta variant. The Delta RT-FRET-PCR can be performed with all major thermocycler brands meaning data on Delta variant can now be readily generated in diagnostic laboratories worldwide.

Data standardization implementation and applications within and among diagnostic laboratories: integrating and monitoring enteric coronaviruses.

Every day, thousands of samples from diverse populations of animals are submitted to veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) for testing. Each VDL has its own laboratory information management system (LIMS), with processes and procedures to capture submission information, perform laboratory tests, define the boundaries of test results (i.e., positive or negative), and report results, in addition to internal business and accounting applications. Enormous quantities of data are accumulated and stored within VDL LIMSs. There is a need for platforms that allow VDLs to exchange and share portions of laboratory data using standardized, reliable, and sustainable information technology processes. Here we report concepts and applications for standardization and aggregation of data from swine submissions to multiple VDLs to detect and monitor porcine enteric coronaviruses by RT-PCR. Oral fluids, feces, and fecal swabs were the specimens submitted most frequently for enteric coronavirus testing. Statistical algorithms were used successfully to scan and monitor the overall and state-specific percentage of positive submissions. Major findings revealed a consistently recurrent seasonal pattern, with the highest percentage of positive submissions detected during December-February for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, porcine deltacoronavirus, and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). After 2014, very few submissions tested positive for TGEV. Monitoring VDL data proactively has the potential to signal and alert stakeholders early of significant changes from expected detection. We demonstrate the importance of, and applications for, data organized and aggregated by using LOINC and SNOMED CTs, as well as the use of customized messaging to allow inter-VDL exchange of information.

Clinical microbiology laboratories and COVID-19: an interview with Joseph Blondeau.

This interview was conducted by Atiya Henry, Commissioning Editor of Future Microbiology. Joseph M Blondeau, MSc, PhD, RSM(CCM), SM(AAM), SM(ASCP), FCCP is a Clinical Microbiologist and Head of Clinical Microbiology at Royal University Hospital (Saskatoon Health Region) and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada. He is also the Provincial Clinical Lead for Microbiology in Saskatchewan, Canada. He holds a Masters of Sciences in Microbiology from Dalhousie University (1985) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Microbiology from the University of Manitoba (1989). Following completion of his PhD, he completed an 1-month post-doctoral training in an infectious diseases research laboratory at Dalhousie University and following which he completed a 2-year post-doctoral residency training program in Clinical Microbiology, also at Dalhousie University. He holds appointments as a Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology, Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology. He teaches to undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of microbiology, infectious diseases, antimicrobial agents and pharmacology. Dr Blondeau's main research interests are in the area of antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial resistance, clinical microbiology and clinical outcomes associated with antimicrobial therapy in both human and veterinary medicine.