Survey of laboratory medicine's national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland

Background The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic placed Irish Laboratory Medicine services under sustained and massive strain. Rapid reconfiguration was required to introduce new assays at high capacity for diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19, while maintaining existing services. Aim The aim of this national survey was to capture Laboratory Medicine's response across the Republic of Ireland during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An electronic survey developed using Microsoft Forms (R) was emailed on 5 October 2020 to 53 local representatives of the PeriAnalytic and Laboratory Medicine Society (PALMSoc), reaching 38 separate pathology departments in the country. Results A total of 45 responses from 38 laboratories were received (72% response rate) representing a range of departments and disciplines. Most laboratories (63%) introduced new tests, and in a time frame of less than 6 weeks (80%). Point-of-care testing (POCT) played a significant role in the response to COVID-19, with almost half of respondents (47%) reporting that additional equipment was introduced. Maintenance of the Quality Management System (QMS) proved challenging, with 60% of respondents indicating that not all aspects were sustained. When asked about changes to staff rostering, 98% of respondents reported that changes were made. All adjustments were made despite staffing challenges; only 18% of respondents described the staffing levels in their department as 100% prior to the onset of the first wave. Conclusions This study confirms an agile and resilient response to the COVID-19 pandemic from Ireland's Laboratory Medicine services despite many economic and staffing challenges.