Laboratory Work and Digital Tools – My Experience 

I work as a laboratory nurse in a private hospital. I collect blood samples and perform ECGs, and I also analyze blood samples. We use a hematology analyzer and a chemistry analyzer, as well as a few point-of-care tests. In addition, our laboratory includes a blood bank, where we perform blood typing, red cell antibody screening, and compatibility testing. 

In my daily work, I use a patient information system to make test requests and print labels. Logging into the system requires a personal professional ID card. Laboratory requests are transferred from the patient information system to the analyzers via an intermediary software. The results are then sent back from the analyzers to the patient information system through the same intermediary. The intermediary software requires the laboratory nurse to approve all results before they are transferred to the patient information system. Some results are manually entered directly into the system. Results from other laboratories are transferred either automatically or manually. Laboratory billing is also handled through the patient information system. It is important to ensure that all information is correct before the customer proceeds to pay for the tests. 

I use the aforementioned systems and email daily. Laboratory email cannot be used to send patients’ test results to them or to other healthcare units. Such information must be sent via a secure email system to ensure patient data remains protected. We use Microsoft Teams once a week for hospital-wide training sessions. In the blood bank, we use an electronic blood ordering system when we need to order blood products from the Blood Service. This system is very convenient and makes the process easier, as we no longer need to call and place orders by phone as we used to. 

We use WhatsApp among staff to report absences from shifts. This allows us to notify others the evening before if we suddenly fall ill, so another employee can come in earlier. This has worked very well, especially since our work community is small. We also use WhatsApp in our study group for communication. It’s a great app for quick messaging, and you usually get a fast response from a colleague or fellow student. However, the downside is data security. It’s important to remember that sensitive work-related matters should not be communicated through this app. There’s also a risk of mixing personal and work-related messages. 

OneNote could be used for entering standard laboratory comments manually. This would help avoid errors in standard phrasing. The information can be copied and pasted directly into the patient information system. Separate notes can be created for different tests. However, data security must be considered, and no personal information should be entered into the app. 

Evernote could also be an option for storing standard comments that are manually entered, ensuring consistency in responses. It’s important to remember that no sensitive data should be stored in the app, so further exploration of its features is needed. 

Copilot is available on our workplace computers. A nurse used it to check medication calculations, which was a great idea for simple math tasks. I’m not sure if it works for more complex calculations. In the lab, it could be useful for creating work instructions, presentations, and reports. It might also help with translating foreign articles or searching for information. 

TikTok could be used to attract job seekers by sharing short videos about the work or a day in the life of an employee. Data privacy must be ensured, and no sensitive information should appear in the videos. Employer approval is required for publishing, and employees must consent to being filmed. If a patient is filmed, their prior consent is also necessary. 

Instagram is also used to attract job seekers and to market services and events. It is mainly used by younger people, so marketing can be targeted toward that demographic. 

Facebook is used for marketing services and events, mainly targeting middle-aged and older individuals. It’s a good platform for promoting services to that age group. 

Todoist could be useful for managing work projects. I considered using it for study planning or scheduling my thesis work. However, I found the app had too many features and was difficult to grasp, so I decided to abandon the idea and use a traditional paper calendar instead, which works very well. 

Monday.com could be handy for work-related projects. You can create a schedule, add project participants, and everyone can see the project’s progress. You can also assign responsibilities for different sections. Again, sensitive data should not be entered. This app helps keep projects on track. I plan to use it for scheduling my thesis work and add colleagues from my workplace who are involved in the project, so they can follow my progress. Based on a quick review, it seems like a very useful app. 

YouTube is not something I would use at my workplace. I searched for videos using the keyword “laboratory” and found videos from educational institutions and teacher introductions. There were many different videos related to the laboratory field, including one from a private lab showcasing the work of a laboratory nurse. I see YouTube mainly as a marketing tool. It could be used to present the work of a laboratory nurse if we are recruiting. No sensitive information should be included in any uploaded videos. 

I chose the above social media tools because I am somewhat familiar with them, even though I don’t use all of them myself. In the future, I plan to explore different apps to find ones that suit me and are easy to use, whether for work or personal life. 

In my opinion, the key elements of a successful digital application are speed and ease of use. They should allow quick and easy access to a large audience. The app must function smoothly and reliably. It should be secure and protect users’ personal data. Applications also enable networking with like-minded individuals, sharing information quickly, and presenting projects at a general level. No sensitive data should be shared through these platforms. 

Self-Assessment 

I still have a lot to learn about social media applications, as I don’t have personal experience with many of them. These are interesting tools and can help make everyday life easier. Some of them can also be utilized in working life. There are also many useful applications available for studies. I learned about the suitability of the previously mentioned applications for use at work. Primarily, they can be used for marketing services and events, as well as for project management and scheduling. 

It is important to be careful with data security, as no sensitive information should be entered into these applications. Their level of security is not sufficient for sharing or transmitting confidential data. Data protection is extremely important in the healthcare sector, and all activities must always be considered from the perspective of privacy, security, and ethics.