Alexa Pierce-Matlack '12

Alexa Pierce-Matlack ’11
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Christiana Care Health System

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your experience at work? At home?

Hugely affected. I work in the Microbiology Lab at Christiana Care. Dramatic decrease in routine cultures, since all elective procedures and most out-patient offices are closed, but huge increases in molecular testing. Also massive changes in work flow and taking calls from the ED, floors, and Physicians

Are there any stories you would like to share?

Initially we were doing flu testing on every specimen before ordering and packaging them to be sent to the state or outside reference labs. We applied to get reagents for three in-house platforms for COVID testing and received reagents for 2 out of the 3 platforms. Within 24 of receiving the reagents for one platform, we had everything validated and created a procedure for the in-house testing with a turnaround time of around an hour for our most critical patients. Within a few days of that, we were able to bring the second platform live, with a much higher volume. Now Christiana is only doing in-house testing for all patients, whether they're in the ED, in-patients, healthcare worker screening, or any provider referrals. We completely changed the process of reporting and resulting many times since Corona Virus has hit the US, and consistently have successfully moved forward and provide the best care for all patients.

How did your WFS education prepare you for your work at the moment?

I was able to effectively handle all the changes and roll with them fluidly. I also had the confidence to be able to talk to and explain the whole process to those more senior to me.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the WFS Community?

Medical Laboratory professionals are the people actually performing the testing, not the doctors and nurses. We're working tirelessly to provide these critically important results!