MIAMI – During Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 23-29, 2017, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recognizes its medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in every aspect of health care. Contributions of medical laboratory professionals in the diagnosis and prevention of disease often go unnoticed because they mainly work behind the scenes in the laboratory. Nationally recognized Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is a time to show support and gratitude to the laboratory professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the quality and safety of patient care.

Each day the work of lab professionals saves lives, reduces morbidity, and helps control the cost of care in thousands of hospitals. They are a vital part of the care each of us receives as they deliver accurate test results every day and serve as part of the health care team to guide and assess patients’ ongoing treatment and care.

“The clinical laboratory professional is a key member of today’s health care team as they provide timely and accurate results,” said Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, PhD, Health Officer/Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. “Laboratory professionals have the skills to unlock important medical information that is pivotal to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Their commitment to high standards of quality benefits patients, as well as their colleagues on the patient care team.”

Laboratory tests are the most cost-effective, least invasive source of the objective information used in clinical decision-making and drive 75% percent of clinical decisions from diagnosis through therapy and prognosis, according to the College of American Pathologists. Because of the significant contribution diagnostics provide to delivering the right care to the right patient, laboratories will be key to driving the needed changes to achieve system-wide excellence that improves patient outcomes.

During Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County salutes its laboratory professionals team.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.