3 Questions with Melody Boudreaux Nelson, DCLS, CC(NRCC), MS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Melody Boudreaux Nelson, DCLS, CC(NRCC), MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a principal clinical laboratory scientist in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the University of Kansas Health System. Her experience in laboratory leadership includes oversight roles in core laboratories, operational management, and informatics. Dr. Nelson is passionate about laboratory visibility in healthcare and enjoys designing quality improvement initiatives alongside interdisciplinary teams.  

She shares her thoughts on the role of the laboratory in patient care, and more.  

As a laboratory professional, you have a unique perspective on disease diagnosis and patient care. How do you approach the responsibility of delivering accurate and timely results, knowing they have a significant impact on patient outcomes? 

Even in the toughest conversations, the laboratory should be viewed as an olive branch, not a hammer. As a practicing doctorate in clinical laboratory science (DCLS), my clinical practice has allowed me to better understand where the laboratory’s mode of care intersects other multidisciplinary care models. We truly shape and play a pivotal role in our patients’ outcomes. Humility can be a powerful approach. A position of humble inquiry promotes laboratory awareness to a multidisciplinary team’s operational limitations and needs. That can make all the difference in solving complex issues throughout all parts of the patient care team.  

Secondly, I’ve learned to embrace the importance of regulatory and quality standards in the care of our patients. To enter any dialogue with stakeholders, whether it be internal or external, requires a deep understanding of where the lines are in the sand. Likewise, we must strive for consistency and patience to educate toward them. 

Laboratory professionals often collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care. Can you describe a situation where you effectively collaborated with colleagues from different disciplines to optimize patient management?  

A recent example is the ability to work alongside Clinical Informatics and the Cystic Fibrosis team to create an EHR reporting solution and a Send Out Department workflow to support the required Aspergillus IgE Reflex testing on IgE positive Cystic Fibrosis patients. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a common occurrence in CF individuals. With these new processes in place, we can reduce order-to-result times, reduce unperformed reflex test orders, and prevent recollects. Ultimately, these interventions can enable quicker decision-making amongst the CF care team, which is crucial in high-risk patient groups.

What are some of the lessons you've learned through the different volunteer roles you’ve taken on, in or out of ASCP?  

That, no matter our differences and practice viewpoints, we entered this profession because we care. It can look chaotic or stalled at times when we take on arduous tasks, but we are united by the fact we show up to care for patients. It takes village to ‘change the world’, and the ability to advocate your position and have patience are necessary to see things through to the end. Overall, volunteering is a great way to meet amazing individuals who can challenge, mentor, and inspire you. It’s also a wonderful exercise in humility and personal reflection.  And, finally, I would say that it’s what you make of it. If you go all-in as a volunteer and take it as an opportunity to try new things and learn from others, whether that be kids or peers, you’ll reap the benefits of it.