About this episode

The episode explores lab safety and emergency diagnostics in biocontainment laboratories for special pathogens.

What happens behind the sealed doors of a biocontainment laboratory when a patient with a suspected special pathogen—like Ebola or Lassa fever—arrives at a hospital? In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan is joined by Vicki Herrera, biocontainment laboratory training and education leader at UNMC, and Colleen Kraft, medical and laboratory director of Emory’s Biocontainment Unit. Together, they break down the critical question: what are “basic labs,” and how can frontline healthcare facilities prepare to deliver essential diagnostics safely during a special pathogen event? Listen in as Jill, Vicki, and Colleen demystify the realities of emergency lab testing, exploring the tension between the rapid results clinicians want and the vital safety measures laboratorians must uphold. They discuss point-of-care devices, the nuances of risk assessments, and the keys to interdepartmental communication that ensure both effective patient care and laboratory safety. Whether you’re a bedside nurse, an ED provider, or a laboratorian, this candid, practical conversation will help you understand how healthcare teams can work together to deliver safe and swift care—even in…

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