Effects of the February 6, 2023 earthquake on laboratory performance and the preventive role of psychological training

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the February 6, 2023 earthquake on clinical laboratory performance and to assess whether structured psychological training for laboratory staff could reduce post-disaster laboratory errors. Methods In this retrospective study, laboratory data over a 29-month period were divided into pre-earthquake, field laboratory, and post-earthquake central laboratory phases. Daily sample volumes, rejection and repeat rates were compared across periods. A trauma-focused structured psychological training program was implemented for staff during the post-earthquake period. Psychological status (anxiety, depression, PTSD) and laboratory error rates were assessed before and after training. Results A significant decrease in daily sample volume was observed during the field laboratory period (p<0.001). While sample rejection rates did not show any significant change in any of the three periods (p=0.410), repeat rates increased significantly in the post-earthquake period (7.87 %) compared to the pre-earthquake (5.42 %) and field laboratory (4.52 %) periods (p<0.001). In the post-earthquake period, repeat rates decreased significantly after training (p<0.001). Before training, 52.4 % of the staff had moderate to severe anxiety and depression, and 43 % had PTSD symptoms; after training a decrease in psychiatric scores was observed. Conclusions Earthquakes impair laboratory operations and adversely affect personnel mental health, contributing to increased error rates. Structured psychological support programs may help reduce these errors and should be integrated into disaster preparedness for laboratory resilience.