The impact of COVID-19 on some aspects of laboratory activities

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the activities of many fields. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on laboratory activity. Method(s): The data of the study were obtained from a single-center homogeneous group in the biochemistry laboratory of Samsun Training and Research Hospital. These data were divided into two patient groups: Group A (Pre-COVID-19 outbreak period patients) and Group B (COVID-19 outbreak period patients). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hormones, coagulation, glycosylated hemoglobin, biochemistry, complete blood count (CBC), blood gas, urine sample types, and pre-analytical errors were included. The data of the two groups were compared with the chi-square test. Result(s): The number of samples requested per patient was 0.62 in Group A and 0.67 in Group B. The reduction rate detected in biochemistry (P<0.001), blood gas (P<0.001) and CBC (P=0.007) sample types was lower than the reduction rate detected in the number of patients in Group B. On the other hand, the reduction rate detected in ESR (P<0.001), coagulation (P=0.045), glycosylated hemoglobin (P<0.001), and urine (P<0.001) sample types was higher than the reduction rate detected in the number of patients in Group B. The pre-analytical error rate in Group B (0.46%) was higher than in Group A (0.29%) (P<0.001). The rate of hemolyzed samples was higher, and the rate of the incorrect request was lower in Group B. Conclusion(s): Laboratory test requests per patient and pre-analytical error rates increased significantly during the COVID-19 outbreak. Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.