Editorial

Extract

Recently, in Boston, the unthinkable happened. And all of the news media, hospital spokespersons, politicians and pundits unceasingly praised the physicians, nurses and emergency medical personnel for their heroism. And right and necessary that was. But, we all know that there were perhaps hundreds or more people who acted with equal dedication, equal technical skill and were in equal emotional pain but who were never mentioned to the public. So at least in this journal, we wish to acknowledge all of those clinical laboratory personnel, the medical imaging personnel, our colleagues in the cast rooms, the pharmacists, and all the rest who made the journey to recovery for all victims the medical miracle that it turned out to be.

The professionals in all of the hospitals who were involved didn't just work in Boston. As triaged patients were sent to distant hospitals, increased workload happened to dozens of hospitals. Without hesitation, Blood Centers from around all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island transferred many blood units so dearly needed.

We note with honor the hundreds of professionals in transfusion services who put aside all of their routine procedures and perhaps even ignored their “regular” emergency procedures in favor of saving lives and/or limbs now. Hundreds of units of blood products would be released over a matter of hours in some of the facilities. Who would have worked that shift? How many stayed late into the night trying to catch up and regain control of a specialty area renowned for its control…