American Society for Microbiology evidence-based laboratory medicine practice guidelines to reduce blood culture contamination rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

SUMMARYBlood cultures (BCs) are one of the critical tests used to detect bloodstream infections. BC results are not 100% specific. Interpretation of BC results is often complicated by detecting microbial contamination rather than true infection.

The American Society for Microbiology collaboration with the CDC Laboratory Medicine Best Practices initiative for evidence-based laboratory medicine.

SUMMARYClinical medicine has embraced the use of evidence for patient treatment decisions; however, the evaluation strategy for evidence in laboratory medicine practices has lagged. It was not until the end of the 20th century that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), now the National Academy of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Laboratory Systems (CDC DLS), focused on laboratory tests and how testing processes can be designed to benefit patient care. In collaboration with CDC DLS, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) used an evidence review method developed by the CDC DLS to develop a program for creating laboratory testing guidelines and practices.

Characterizing Complex Spatiotemporal Patterns from Entropy Measures.

In addition to their importance in statistical thermodynamics, probabilistic entropy measurements are crucial for understanding and analyzing complex systems, with diverse applications in time series and one-dimensional profiles. However, extending these methods to two- and three-dimensional data still requires further development. In this study, we present a new method for classifying spatiotemporal processes based on entropy measurements.

Regulatory Approach to Point-of-Care/At-Home Testing in the United States.

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) classifications were activated in the 1990s in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Food and Drug Administration and included waived, moderate, and high complexity testing. The waived section of CLIA certificates allows laboratories to perform testing of analytes and methods of samples by the Food and Drug Administration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many molecular or antigen laboratory testing methods for COVID-19 virus were quickly approved by emergency use authorization.

The Importance of Medical Laboratory Scientists and the Number of Doctoral Scientists that Began Their Career by Working on the Front Lines of Laboratory Medicine.

Background: Due to dwindling numbers of medical laboratory scientists (MLS), we are faced with staffing issues due to lack of visibility, recognition, low wages, and perceived lack of opportunities for upward career mobility. A brief survey of doctoral-level clinical microbiologists showed a significant number were certified, worked "the bench," and used this experience as a steppingstone to become a laboratory director or consultant.

Objectives: To help dispel the notion working as an MLS is a dead-end job, the authors developed an expanded national survey.