National Laboratory Associations Come Together in Support of 'Labs Are Vital' Initiative

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. (Map) - Clinical laboratory associations across the country are coming together in support of an initiative to raise national awareness of the role of clinical laboratory professionals in health care. Through a program called "Labs Are Vital(TM)", sponsored by Abbott (NYSE: ABT), eight national organizations are working together to elevate the important role of lab professionals and to recruit new laboratorians as the industry faces a severe workforce shortage.

Organizations supporting the initiative include the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA), American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologists (AMT), American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), and American Association of Blood Banks (AABB).

"The union of these organizations to support a single issue is a strong testament to the importance of 'Labs Are Vital' to our profession and healthcare in general," said Chris Damon, executive director, American Medical Technologists.

Laboratory tests are the most cost effective, least invasive source of the objective information used in clinical decision-making. It is estimated that laboratory services drive 60 to 80 percent of clinical decisions from diagnosis through therapy and prognosis, while comprising less than five percent of a typical hospital budget. While they infrequently meet the patients who depend on their care, lab professionals are indispensable partners to clinicians in the delivery of that care.

"Lab professionals have long been the unsung heroes of medical facilities throughout this country," said John Ball, executive vice president, American Society for Clinical Pathology. "Their contributions save lives, reduce morbidity, and help control the cost of care in thousands of healthcare facilities on a daily basis. For example, treating early-stage cervical cancer, detected through clinical lab tests conducted by these skilled professionals, costs more than $16,000 less per patient than treating a late-stage of the disease. Aside from the pain and anguish averted by early detection and faster treatment, rapid diagnosis could dramatically reduce the economic burden facing our healthcare system. It is important that we work hard to support clinical laboratorians as we move toward a preventive healthcare philosophy."

To address this issue, the eight organizations have joined Abbott in a commitment to support new "Labs Are Vital" initiatives designed to improve clinical and economic outcomes for patients by enhancing the role laboratories and laboratorians play in the delivery of healthcare. The first step in this process is to highlight the vital -- but often underappreciated -- role laboratorians currently play in the delivery of care. Program components include the development of educational materials targeting hospital executives and other leaders in the healthcare community.

This year, "Labs are Vital" has turned its focus to finding new solutions to address the critical and growing workforce shortage the nation's clinical laboratories are facing. According to statistics compiled by the ASCP, there currently may be as many as 40,000 unfilled clinical laboratory jobs in the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor projects approximately 13,800 medical laboratory professionals will be needed every year through 2012 to fill vacant positions. Unfortunately, fewer than 5,000 professionals are graduating from training programs each year.

"A top priority of the 'Labs are Vital' initiative is to inspire the exploration of new solutions to address how the nation's clinical laboratories can respond to this critical and growing shortage of qualified laboratory personnel," said Elissa Passiment, executive vice president, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. "On this issue, all of our interests overlap. Without new laboratorians entering our field, the future is grim. We've come together to speak with a single voice on this most vital issue. It is important to ensure current and future generations understand the importance of the work lab professionals do everyday in order to recruit qualified individuals to the field."

"Labs Are Vital" will launch a robust recruitment effort this fall, including a sponsored group and scholarship competition on the popular online networking site Facebook. Other recruitment activities include a recruitment video that is being developed in partnership with the ASCLS, a mentorship program engaging both students and current professionals, and the ongoing public awareness ad campaign launched in 2006.

"With a focus on both the leaders in the health community and the next generation, we are confident this program will make a difference," said Scott Becker, executive director, Association of Public Health Laboratories.

About "Labs Are Vital(TM)"

"Labs Are Vital" is a multi-pronged, multi-year education and awareness initiative designed to highlight the critical role that laboratory professionals play in healthcare and to address the issues facing laboratories today. The program includes a public awareness campaign, an instrument donation program, and a variety of Web-based resources for laboratory professionals and focuses attention on the life-saving work medical laboratory scientists provide that aid in diagnosing disease and improving health outcomes. For more information on the "Labs are Vital" program, please visit http://www.labsarevital.com.