Richmond Hill, ON – York Central Hospital is celebrating laboratory services and their invaluable contributions to our hospital during National Medical Laboratory Technology Week. This recognition week is an important time to recognize and pay tribute to our laboratory and the essential role the team members play in delivering expert and compassionate care to our patients. These knowledgeable and skilled members of our healthcare team improve the health and quality of life of our patients every day.
Twenty-four hours a day, thousands of medical tests are performed on blood, body fluids and tissues in the lab. Hospital inpatients and hospital clinic out patients receive many services from the lab including: biochemistry, hematology, electrocardiogram (ECG), transfusion medicine, histology and cytology.
The wide variety of tests and services are essential for diagnosing diseases such as leukemia, anemia and hemophilia. Laboratory testing is also necessary in preparing for the replacement of blood lost in trauma or surgery and also supports cancer treatments. The Laboratory Services is staffed by Medical Laboratory Technologists, Medical Laboratory Assistants, Clerical Staff, Pathologists and a Pathology Assistant.
As part of our celebrations this year, our hospital was excited to welcome David Barrow, Mayor of Richmond Hill. Our team provided Mayor Barrow with a tour of the laboratory and highlighted the wide variety of services and the full scope of practice of our laboratory services team.
Quotes
“Providing excellent patient care depends on the efforts of our medical laboratory professionals. Physicians rely on Laboratory Services to help ensure the best clinical outcomes for our patients. During this national recognition week, I would like to acknowledge their contributions to the healthcare team,” says Dr. John Doucet, Chief and Medical Director, Laboratory Medicine.
“Our team of laboratory professionals perform thousands of complicated medical tests each day. As essential members of our healthcare team, they play a vital rolein assisting physicians to make timely and accurate diagnoses and help to ensure patients are on the right treatment path,” says Maria Manini, Manager, Laboratory Services.
“On behalf of everyone at York Central Hospital, we are proud to recognize and honour our laboratory professionals during National Medical Laboratory Week. Every day, we rely on this group to help us deliver the best possible care to everyone who comes through our doors,” says Cindy Draycott, Operations Director, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Program.
Quick Facts
- A 506-bed hospital located in one of Canada’s fastest growing communities
- Last year, the medical laboratory performed 1,700,000 tests, almost 4,660 tests each day
- There were 5,600 units of blood transfused to patients last year
- Last year, more than 28,000 specimens were processed in histology
- Over 85,000 visits annually to its Emergency Department
- Serves more than 500,000 people in Southwest York Region and beyond
- Recently completed expansion of Trench Street site in Richmond Hill, including new and expanded Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Family Birthing Centre,
- Diagnostic Imaging Department and Minimally Invasive Surgery Suites
- York Central Hospital’s is working to create a Major Regional Health System for Southwest York Region that will include the recently approved project to build a new hospital in Vaughan as part of Ontario’s infrastructure plan.
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