COVID-19: Five years later and five different ways it changed the clinical lab

After more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020 — five years ago. At that time, it was unclear exactly how contagious COVID-19 was. It looked as though it was spreading from person to person through respiratory droplets when someone with the virus coughed or sneezed, but it hadn’t been confirmed with 100% certainty.  At the beginning of the pandemic there was no vaccine for COVID-19; testing was our primary defense to slow the spread. And, consequently, U.S. testing demand grew rapidly and caused backlogs of hundreds of thousands of tests at private U.S. labs. 

Clinical laboratories have undergone significant changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are five ways clinical laboratories have evolved post-COVID:

1. Increased Focus on Testing Capacity

• Expansion of testing services: The demand for COVID-19 testing skyrocketed, leading to a surge in testing infrastructure. Post-COVID, laboratories are better equipped to handle large volumes of tests for numerous infectious diseases.
• Diversification of testing: Many labs now offer broader testing panels, including rapid tests, molecular tests (PCR), antigen tests, and antibody tests, which have become critical in detecting both current and past infections.
• Molecular diagnostics boom: COVID-19 testing has significantly boosted the adoption of molecular diagnostics like PCR. This trend is expected to continue post-COVID as molecular tests are becoming more common for diagnosing a variety of infectious diseases, cancers, and genetic disorders.

2. Adoption of automation and digital health tools

• Automation: Labs have increasingly adopted automation technologies to improve efficiency and accuracy. These technologies include automated sample processing, robotic systems for test handling, and AI-based diagnostic tools for interpreting results.
• Telemedicine integration: The rise of telemedicine has necessitated labs to integrate with remote patient monitoring systems, allowing for easier ordering and receiving of lab tests through telehealth platforms.
• Cybersecurity measures: With the increase in digital health data, labs have invested in better cybersecurity protocols to protect patient data and ensure compliance with regulations such as HIPAA.

3. Public and Patient Education

• Increased awareness of laboratory testing: With the COVID-19 crisis, there was a surge in public awareness regarding laboratory testing and its importance. Laboratories have continued to educate patients on the significance of testing for various health conditions, not just COVID-19.
• Expansion of mobile labs: Some labs began using mobile units for on-site testing, allowing for faster sample collection and processing in various settings, including airports, schools, and public events.
• Patient access to results: More patients are now able to access their lab results digitally in real time, improving transparency and patient engagement in healthcare decisions.

4. Quality Control and Safety Measures

• Enhanced infection control protocols: Laboratories implemented rigorous safety protocols during COVID-19, including improved personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, air filtration systems, and enhanced disinfection procedures. These safety measures are now more embedded into daily operations.
• Employee health and well-being: Labs have also implemented measures to monitor and protect the health of their staff, ensuring that they have adequate PPE, mental health support, and flexible working arrangements when needed.

5. Supply Chain Innovations

• Resilience in supply chain management: COVID-19 highlighted vulnerabilities in lab supply chains. Post-COVID, laboratories have worked to build more resilient supply chains by diversifying suppliers and utilizing better forecasting methods to avoid disruptions in testing materials.