McConnell celebrates ‘Lab Week’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  When McConnell laboratory patients have their blood taken, and it gets carted off behind the swinging white doors -- never to return to its rightful owner -- it doesn't just disappear.

It is handed to a medical technician, who in turn has the task of analyzing the sample to determine if there are any signs of abnormalities such as infection or disease.

Team McConnell is fortunate enough to have its own working lab and lab staff to accomplish this task.

However, the lab staff sometimes goes unnoticed by the general public because of its behind-the-scenes research and testing.

For this reason, a week is designated at the end of each April to honor medical laboratory workers, National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. This year, the week runs from April 22-28.

For its 32 years, lab week has reflected upon the marvels of medical and scientific research, and those who have endured the hours of potential eye strain from looking through the lenses of microscopes. For the lab technicians at McConnell, it gives them a chance to feel appreciated for the care and vital information they pass on to their patients.

"Our laboratory staff at McConnell consistently strives to provide their services effectively and professionally," said Airmen 1st Class Kyle Mills, a laboratory technician at the clinic.

"Whether it's accuracy of phlebotomy, quality of sample analysis, or efficiency under the microscope, the lab team's operational performance is always at its utmost standard with value of patient care being and essential and end result," said Airman Mills.

Phlebotomy, the art of taking blood samples, is the first step to diagnosing a patient's blood. The next step is to perform diagnostic analytical tests on the samples revealing the composition of red and white blood cells and observing blood under a microscope to rule out blood disorders and infections.

Additionally, other jobs the lab technicians are responsible for include plating throat cultures and urinalysis testing.

The lab technicians identify organisms and parasites using microbiology to classify certain viruses and test enzyme levels and metabolic chemistry to make sure patients' organs are functioning properly. They are also responsible for testing blood-alcohol levels of suspect DUI offenders on base.

"We are a part of a lab reaction network, a combination of many labs across the nation and we work together," said 1st Lt. James Clark, officer in charge of the medical lab here. "If we see something suspicious we raise a flag to help strengthen our homeland defense."

The lab serves active-duty, Reserve, and Guard members and their families as well as retirees.

"Over the past two years, lab personnel have demonstrated their loyalty to core values and unwavering skills by sweeping the wing in awards and recognition," said Airman Mills.

Accomplishments include; Airmen of the Quarter, Treasurer of the Airmen's Council, Senior Airman Below the Zone, Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter, lab technician of the year, and civilian of the quarter.

"These achievements are testimony to why this group earned lab of the year in 2002 and 2004. Despite their glory, they continue to attain their goals and maintain superior representation of Airmen by remembering that patient care and satisfaction is always the highest achievement by the end of the day," she said.