When Pathology Met a National Crisis

A personal account of how laboratory expertise can inform, reassure, and educate during a public emergency

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The author began pathology residency at North Shore University Hospital in July 2001 and was working in surgical pathology on September 11.
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After donating plasma and platelets, the author developed tingling, numbness, shivering, muscle cramps, nausea, and a slow-feeling heartbeat.
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A nurse treated the reaction by slowing the collection machine, providing milk and a blanket, and asking the author to breathe slowly into a paper bag.
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The author later learned that citrate used as an anticoagulant can bind calcium and temporarily lower ionized calcium levels during component donation.
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After reports of mailed anthrax spores, the author wrote six articles on bioterrorism agents and shared them with Chinese media and at departmental Grand Rounds.

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