ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), the premier global,
molecular diagnostic professional society, today released the
preliminary results of its "Molecular Testing for Cancer during
COVID-19" survey of clinical laboratories. AMP's ongoing series of
COVID-19 surveys are administered to monitor, understand, and
collect real-time data on laboratories' efforts and experiences
during the COVID-19 pandemic response. The latest anonymous survey
assessed how important components of molecular diagnostic testing
for cancer, including testing volumes, laboratory operations,
clinical trial testing, patient samples, and turnaround times, were
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The preliminary results included
feedback from 163 representatives from academic medical centers,
commercial reference laboratories, and community hospitals in the
US and around the world.
Throughout the pandemic as resources were allocated to
SARS-CoV-2 testing, clinical laboratories performing molecular
diagnostic testing for cancer experienced numerous challenges with
the required supplies and facilities, as well as difficulties
recruiting and retaining appropriately trained laboratory
professionals. Overall, 85% of respondents reported that molecular
testing for cancer decreased during April-June 2020. Additionally, more than half of the
respondents said that oncology testing for clinical trials
decreased due to lower enrollment, reluctance to travel, or ability
to perform testing. The survey results indicate that the pandemic
will continue to have long-term effects on molecular diagnostic
testing for cancer, as laboratories reported that the COVID-19
shutdowns decreased or halted their development or validation of
new tests, increased turnaround times for tests, and stopped or
canceled orders for new equipment.
"Despite widespread supply chain and staffing shortages,
clinical laboratories around the world continue to work diligently
to provide molecular testing for cancer patients throughout this
public health crisis," said Antonia R.
Sepulveda, MD, PhD, AMP President and Professor and Chair of
the George Washington School of Medicine Department of Pathology.
"The results of this survey bring to light the larger impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on patients' access to high quality, appropriate
testing. Addressing the shortfalls identified in this survey will
help to ensure that all clinical laboratory testing,
including molecular diagnostic testing for cancer, can be performed
in a timely manner."
The results from this survey underscore the significant supply
chain and staffing shortages that were reported in AMP's April and
August SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing surveys and show that they
reverberate to molecular diagnostic testing for cancer. Addressing
these issues during this pandemic and any future pandemics is
necessary for laboratories to continue to operate at full capacity
and ensure that patients can continue to receive timely testing.
AMP is continuing to emphasize two of the previous
recommendations:
1. Reprioritize supply
allocations based on clinical testing needs, which could change
over time.
2. Support the clinical laboratory workforce that is
essential to providing an effective medical and public health
pandemic response.
AMP will continue to review and analyze the results of the
survey as part of its ongoing commitment to share expertise, assess
laboratory needs, engage key stakeholders and provide
recommendations for improving future pandemic responses and
ensuring more patients have access to high-quality testing
procedures.
To read the full AMP report on the October 2020 Molecular Testing for Cancer during
COVID-19 Survey, please visit:
https://www.amp.org/advocacy/sars-cov-2-survey/
ABOUT AMP
The Association for Molecular Pathology
(AMP) was founded in 1995 to provide structure and leadership to
the emerging field of molecular diagnostics. AMP's 2,500+ members
practice various disciplines of molecular diagnostics, including
bioinformatics, infectious diseases, inherited conditions, and
oncology. Our members are pathologists, clinical laboratory
directors, basic and translational scientists, technologists, and
trainees that practice in a variety of settings, including academic
and community medical centers, government, and industry. Through
the efforts of its Board of Directors, Committees, Working Groups,
and Members, AMP is the primary resource for expertise, education,
and collaboration in one of the fastest growing fields in
healthcare. AMP members influence policy and regulation on the
national and international levels, ultimately serving to advance
innovation in the field and protect patient access to high quality,
appropriate testing. For more information, visit
www.amp.org and follow AMP on Twitter: @AMPath.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andrew
Noble
anoble@amp.org
415-722-2129
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SOURCE Association for Molecular Pathology