“With the initial hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a phase where only COVID patients were diagnosed, tested, and treated. However, now with the government’s decision to lift the lockdown and opening of OPDs, there is a need to understand the importance of taking strict precautionary measures and follow guidelines for safe specimen management. Proper collection of specimens is the most important step in the laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. Yet, equal importance needs to be given to staff and patient safety. It is important to treat every specimen as potential COVID specimen and take proper precautions while handling and collecting blood & urine samples: Safety gears for health care workers, closed specimen collection using fully disposable sample collection kit, proper packaging and transportation precautions. Right planning ensures staff safety as well timely and accurate results to patients.”

Dr S.P. Ganesan, Chief Executive Officer, Hitech Diagnostics, Chennai