One of the most significant professional skills that I learned was the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in laboratory work. Although we do the most precise tests, they are frequently not sufficient to obtain the best patient outcomes. A case that I remember most vividly is the use of EBP in the hematology section. With the help of this approach, our team managed to establish the most reliable and efficient assays. The use of EBP allowed us to save costs and time. Before using the biomarker assays in clinical practice, we checked them with the aim of eliminating such probable interferences as heterophile antibodies and rheumatoid factors. Obtaining such data allowed us to reduce mistakes and save resources.
The value of this experience is the possibility to apply it in any hospital or laboratory setting. I do not know where I will work in the future, but I will keep in mind that EBP is one of the most efficient approaches for specialists working in a laboratory. EPB will help to reduce the expenditures and, what is more significant, will improve patient outcomes. Since making customers healthy and happy is the central aim of medical workers, and EBP helps to reach this aim, I will use it in my future practice.
Another important thing that I learned during practice was how to collect specimens. At the beginning of my internship, there was a day when there was comparatively little work in the laboratory, and our senior technologist invited me to watch the whole process of preparation of specimens for analysis. I was excited because I realized what a rare opportunity it was. In the process of our work, I noticed that one of the specimens was not labeled properly. I immediately reported it to the senior technologist. He asked me whether I could not decipher patient information from the data remaining on the label. I said that it was possible, but the policies strongly prohibit working with such analyses. The technologist said I had done a good job.
That experience was particularly important for me. I realized that I should never be afraid of telling senior colleagues if their ideas are unacceptable. That case taught me to be confident in my knowledge and never fear challenges or unexpected inspections.
One of the experiences that made a great impact on me was concerned with safety regulations at the laboratory. We had many customers on that day, and everyone was exhausted. One of my colleagues, a technician, accidentally cut his hand but did not cover the cut with waterproof clothes. He continued working notwithstanding the fact that it was highly dangerous. As it became known a few days later, he acquired some contagious condition from some customers. That occasion taught me several crucial lessons.
First of all, I will always be persistent in reminding my colleagues of the importance of safety measures. Not only did that technologist put his own life in danger but he also could have passed the disease to his colleagues or family. Secondly, I realized the responsibility of laboratory workers. We should always be alert and report any dangerous situations to the authorities. If anyone had reported that event, it would have been possible to save our colleague from adverse outcomes and eliminate the risk. Finally, I will revise my attitude to all laboratory policies. That event taught me about the necessity to study the guidelines about laboratory practice and implement all of them at work.
In another case, the outcome of which taught me a good lesson was concerned with a patient confidentiality issue. It is strictly forbidden to share the personal details of patients. However, a laboratory worker told one of his friends about the case of a patient who had a sexually transmitted disease. By coincidence, that friend happened to be a coworker of that patient, and she told everything to her colleagues. When our patient found out that his office workers know about his unpleasant health condition, he became frustrated. He realized how they found out, and he threatened to sue the hospital for revealing his confidential information.
That occasion taught me a lesson in respecting customers’ rights. Even though it may seem to us that we can refer to patient stories as “cases of some men or women,” there is a great likelihood that we may have mutual acquaintances. Thus, I made a golden rule for the future: what happens at work, stays at work. I am determined to adhere to this regulation and respect my patients’ rights under all circumstances.
Practice at Al Rahba hospital helped me to evaluate my professional level, learn essential skills, and develop both as a person and a specialist. During practice, I experienced many cases, some of which were described and evaluated in this paper. There were both positive and negative things, but the good ones considerably outnumbered the bad ones. The major lessons I learned are that laboratory employees should respect one another, treat their patients with concern and dignity, and never stop learning and improving their skills.