COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges to clinical laboratories. While U.S. labs strove to provide quality and accurate test results in the face of 2020's adversity, the uncertainty and lack of supplies were a significant hurdle, hindering day-to-day laboratory operations and the ability to increase testing capacity.
In 2020, ASM partnered with the Association of Supply Chain Management to collect testing supply status for both COVID-19 tests, as well as other microbiological tests to highlight, and ultimately alleviate, these debilitating supply chain issues. Starting Sept. 11, 2020, ASM began independently collecting shortage data directly from clinical labs using the Clinical Microbiology Supply Shortage Collection (CMSSC) tool, drawing attention to the data provided by laboratory directors and practicing clinical microbiologists without external influence. This data reflects shortages of medium, reagents, collection devices and consumables that significantly impacted day-to-day testing for both COVID-19 and other infectious diseases during the time period of Sept. 11, 2020 to Jan. 15, 2021.
147 CLIA-certified labs responded to the survey across the U.S. If you are a member of a clinical microbiology lab and would like to know more, please email us for details on accessing and using the CMSSC tool. You can read our data policy for the CMSSC tool here.
The CMSSC tool results also show the following non-COVID-19 shortages for the week of Jan. 8-15, 2021:
35.1% of labs have a shortage of supplies for the molecular detection of sexually transmitted infections.
47.5% of labs have a shortage of supplies for detection of routine bacteria (including the bacteria causing strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis and urinary tract infections).
29.4% of labs have a shortage of supplies for mycobacteria testing (including supplies for tuberculosis (TB), Buruli ulcer and pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease testing).
8.8% of labs have a shortage of supplies for routine parasite testing.
19.4% of labs have a shortage of supplies for routine fungal testing (ranging from superficial, localized skin conditions to deeper tissue infections to serious lung, blood (septicemia) or systemic diseases).
National Overview & Survey Participants
Survey Participants
Lab Testing Volume & Lab Testing Capacity
Additional Information (Sept. 11, 2020-Jan. 15, 2021)
COVID-19 Laboratory Developed Tests (LDT) Testing Supplies Shortages
