Salem Health News

Salem Health’s laboratory services team ranks high nationwide for productivity. Take a glance at the surprising output of this team:

Of course, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lab put up impressive numbers:

• In November 2020, the Lab reported a 50% increase in tests per week during that month. In one 7-day period, they did 1,718 tests — 400 more than the week before.
• The lab added capacity to do 500 more COVID tests per week during the pandemic.

Their efforts didn't end with the pandemic. The lab team continued its impressive streak of efficient services for patients long after 2020. In 2024 alone:

• Phlebotomy conducted tests for 500,000 patients.
• Client services handled 63,000 calls to clarify needs, test results and help providers.
• Couriers made 15,000 stops, delivering samples and supplies to and from the lab to keep the diagnostic chain on time for critical news about test results.

Annual testing by specialty

• Chemistry – 1,085,850 tests
• Hematology/coagulation – 353,149 tests
• Point-of-care testing – 371,886 tests
• Microbiology – 65,155 tests 
• Blood bank – 27,557 tests

Join us in saluting this exceptional team for for their continued dedication to providing fast, friendly, accurate lab services to patients across our entire region.