DIGITALISATION IN LABORATORY

Digitalisation has brought a lot of changes in the laboratory over the years. The analysers have a robotic arm that handles precise pipetting and reagent dosing. Sample containers have barcodes and the sample numbers can be read about the containers with a barcode reader. Results are transferred from one place to another through telecommunications connections. Thanks to technology, Many proceses has left out many processes what we have done by hand before and the risk of error has decreased. Currently, digitalisation is visible in the laboratory as digitalisation of human resource management, invoicing and quality systems. Remote work opportunities have also increased. In the future, development should be directed towards customer service and pre-analytics. In my opinion, the customer service process should be considered in a multidisciplinary and the problem points in them should be developed. For example, how do we guide the patient and how do we get the information to flow seamlessly when the patient is moved from basic health care to specialised health care? Could there be a digital therapeutic protocol for home when a patient gets out of the hospital? Digitalisation is changing the working life, so that employees’ digital skills and digital competence as well as expertise in their own field are emphasised as the duties become digitalised.

RISK OF OPEN DIGITAL SOCIETY

Risks to an open digital society include identity theft, various extortions or scams, and damage to society’s infrastructure, such as damage to an electrical or telecommunications network. Identity theft, extortion and scams can cause mental and financial harm to the victim. Attacks on society’s infrastructure may result in significant damage. For example, an attack on a hospital can prevent the patient from receiving the best possible treatment. Fortunately, attention has begun to be paid to the risks of an open society. Privacy will hopefully become the default for all kinds of online activities in the future. The European Data Protection Act (GDPR) is one step towards the better implementation of data protection. The GDPR has not brought a major change to my day-to-day work, as employees in the laboratory have always had to take customer privacy into account. For me, the most visible changes were the updating of archive formation plans, privacy statements and working instructions. I think it is important for customers to have access to information about their data collection, processing and rights, as it increases reliability towards the organization. In addition, it is good that customers can manage their data processing. Especially if the process is easily implemented using technology, and the system destroys the data itself. All customers don’t understand the importance of data protection. When I follow the laws in my work, it is sometimes very difficult for a client to understand why I do not give information if he is asking information on behalf of other patient.

CHAT GPT

I asked Chat GPT what does a medical laboratory technologist do. AI gave a very versatile and exact description of duties. The answer was basically correct. Centralization is a new trend in the laboratory field and nowadays sample collection is the most important skill of the medical laboratory technologist in small laboratories. In its summary, AI didn’t mentioned the sample collection at all, it only emphasized the analysis of the samples. In addition, I asked for preparation instructions for various tests. The answers were amazingly accurate and it was pointed out that the instructions can vary between laboratories. I think artificial intelligence is a great invention, if only it is used ethically correctly. In my field, for example, artificial intelligence would be an opportunity to be used to guide the patient. In this way, artificial intelligence could improve the quality of laboratory tests and patient safety.

SELF EVALUATION

In this section, I learn to use Chat GPT. I think that I would use Chat GPT again. Orientation materials, especially videos about cyber security were very informative and I will discus about them at work. The videos reminded me that privacy must be acquired by myself. The easiest way for companies to obtain information is to violate privacy. In the future, I will think even more carefully about what my information is public. I will consider before accepting the use of my data. I am going to use more encrypted emails.

I READ THESE BLOG POSTS AND LEFT THESE COMMENTS

DIGI SOCIETY – Marika’s site (savonia.fi)

It was nice to read a different perspective on working life. My own work as a medical laboratory technologist cannot be done remotely, but I think it is great that employers have allowed remote work in workplaces, where it is possible. I think remote work can increase employee well-being at work. And you have good comment that you can work from home fully, and there is any changes in the working environment.
I am also concerned about the risks associated with data protection. We have GDPR, but is it enough to secure personal data or do we need more security? I also wonder how well citizens know their rights and are they aware of the risks associated with digital platforms. I agree that there is a need for cybersecurity skills. Awareness should be increased for all ages.

DIGI SOCIETY – Ha Anh Dao (wordpress.com)

Your blog post had some great reflection on the digitalization of your own work. I particularly liked the comment “I don’t feel replaced ” and that you see automation as a working tool. Technology really helps you in your work. There is a lot of discussion in my field (health care) about the change in work and the new systems have caused resistance to change.
It is true that digitalization can create inequality in services. Therefore, the design of services should take into account that customers are not similar. I agree that not all customers are familiar with their data protection rights and this knowledge should be increased.