A new CAP survey of board-certified pathologists nationwide showed that less than half, or 45% of laboratories testing for COVID-19 still have difficulties obtaining the testing supplies they need. While this represents an improvement since last summer, shortages still represent a significant burden on those laboratories diagnosing coronavirus disease and require national attention to mitigate disruptions. The CAP is engaged with the Biden administration as it fights the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those elements of the new strategy concerning diagnostic testing and obtaining testing supplies.

This latest CAP’s COVID-19 Pathologist Impact Survey was fielded to all board-certified pathologists from January 27 through February 11. The CAP received 680 responses, constituting a 4.6% response rate, making the sample nationally representative with a +/-3.7 margin of error. The CAP routinely conducts socioeconomic surveys to inform its advocacy.

In this latest survey, the respondents reported continued difficulties acquiring testing supplies, such as reagents (45%) and pipette tips (30%), within the last three months. A significant number of survey respondents also experienced difficulties obtaining other COVID-19 testing supplies: nearly 20% reported difficulties securing supplies such as SARS-CoV-2 instruments (19%), flocked nasopharyngeal swabs (18%), and viral transport media/universal transport media (17%).

The survey also asked pathologists about vaccination and vaccine access for their staff. Ninety-four percent reported that pathologists in their practice have access to the COVID-19 vaccination, and 89% reported that they, themselves, have been vaccinated. When asked about laboratory staff gaining access to the COVID-19 vaccine, pathologists reported that 82% of phlebotomists, 83% of laboratory testing personnel in a hospital. However, just 39% of testing personnel in independent laboratories have received the vaccine.