Ontario continues to have high quality laboratory testing and diagnostic systems: Lab MDs

April 18th-24th is National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week and Ontario's laboratory physicians (Lab MDs) want to emphasize that Ontario continues to have one of the safest, highest quality laboratory testing and diagnostic systems in the world.

In an effort to strengthen Ontario's laboratory medicine system even further, a first-of-its-kind symposium was conceived and hosted in November 2009 by Path2Quality, a unique partnership between the OMA Section on Laboratory Medicine and the Ontario Association of Pathologists, which represents and advocates for the profession with respect to issues of quality management in laboratory medicine. The symposium brought together the key stakeholders, both nationally and provincially, involved in quality assurance as it applies to the professional work of Ontario's laboratory physicians.

"Ontario's Lab MDs are committed to working with our partners to ensure there is even greater accountability in our profession, and an even stronger and safer system for patients," said Dr. Brendan Mullen, Chair, Ontario Medical Association Section on Laboratory Medicine. "The symposium promoted frank and mutual dialogue regarding roles and responsibilities, areas for improvement, and fostered a commitment among all participants to work together moving forward."

A key outcome of the symposium is the recent commitment from Cancer Care Ontario to fund the development of consistent across-the-board best practices and internal quality guidelines that will guide the professional work of all Ontario's Lab MDs as it relates to cancer pathology regardless of whether these physicians work in a hospital or in the community. Path2Quality will lead the creation of these standards.

"Ontario's laboratory physicians are confident that by working together, the profession, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and our partners in quality assurance can meet the challenge of strengthening quality management in laboratory medicine in Ontario," said Dr. Mullen.