Have You Hugged Your MLT Today?

Did you know it is National Medical Laboratory week?

Do you ever wonder what happens after you visit a laboratory with that requisition your physician gives you to have blood work done? Or a swab from a sore throat? Or any other number of tests?

National Medical Laboratory Week, celebrated April 24 – 30, 2011, commemorates the contribution Medical Laboratory Professionals make to patient care across the country.

In medicine, up to 85 per cent of decisions about diagnosis and treatment are based on laboratory test results. This is why the people who provide these results and ensure their accuracy – medical laboratory professionals – play such an important role in the health care system.

In Ontario, Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) must be licensed and in good standing by the the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO).

Medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) play a critical role in the health system by performing lab tests on blood, body fluids, cells and tissues – nearly half a million in Ontario each day.

A blood sugar test to diagnose and monitor diabetes...a biopsy to check for cancer…prenatal testing to detect genetic diseases…enzyme analysis to identify heart disease…assessment of cells and tissues to aid surgical decisions - these and thousands of other tests performed by MLTs provide the results other health professionals need to deliver the best care.

MLTs in various specialties collect and process specimens, analyze results, and interpret findings. The knowledge and expertise of the MLT contributes to innovation in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and medical conditions.

Every MLT is a regulated health care professional as mandated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. In accordance with the legislation, MLTs have a defined scope of practice, which includes authorization to perform a medical act.

MLTs meet strict safety and ethical standards and are held accountable for their conduct and practice, so the public can have confidence in their lab tests.

For more information, please visit:
www.cmlto.com
www.csmls.org

We take pride in our job because you depend on us.

P.S. It's also kind of cool to be legally able to put the letters MLT after our name.