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AT pn St APS nT ann ani { i i i { PORT PERRY STAR -- Tues. August 21, 1984 -- 13 Lab technologists often taken for granted Health detectives track elusive disease They call 'themselves the "health detectives'. That's a pretty good description of the more than 8000 medical lab- oratory technologists ~ who work night and day across Ontario helping in the diagnosis, treat- ment and prevention of disease. The work these tech- nologists do is an essen- tial aspect of the health care profession, yet for the most part the gen- eral public doesn't know what goes on in a lab. Hospital patients have regular contact with physicians, nurses, therapists and others, but they almost never see the people who work in the labs. The Ontario Society of Medical Technologists is trying to change that, and for the first time ever, the Society is sponsoring medical lab technology week from August 20 to 26 in this province. '""Few people are directly exposed to the lab situation", says Society president Sheila Woodcock. They may have their blood taken for testing, but have no idea what happens to the specimen or what complex testing is performed to produce results which may mean the difference between life and death." Zoe Allen is the chief technologist in the lab at Port Perry Hospital, which has a staff of four full time and two part time technologists, and two lab assistants. Ms. Allen says that during this week, the lab at the hospital will be conducting tours for AUTOMOTIVE MACHINE SHOP other hospital staff members. There are no plans for public tours, mainly because just two months ago when the new addition to the hospital was officially opened, more than 300 people took the opport- unity to tour the medical lab facilities. But Ms. Allen agrees that efforts to increase the public awareness of the profession is a good thing. Most medical labs, whether private or in a hospital, are divided roughly into five sections. CHEMISTRY This involves the analysis of body flvids such as blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid to determine if the constit- uent parts of the fluids are within established normal limits. Lab analysis of blood enzymes, for example, is fundamental in deter- mining the extent of a heart attack. MICROBIOLOGY This is the isolation and identification of bacteria which cause disease. Crucial also is the determination of which antibiotics can be used to kill this bacteria. HAEMATOLOGY This is the study of the number and type of cells present in the blood and "bone marrow which allows for the detection of such common dis- orders as iron deficie- ncy anaemia, or very serious disorders like leukemia. HISTOLOGY This is often referred to as pathology, which means the examination Head Rebuilding - Engines Rebuilt - Rotor & Drum Turning - Flywheel Resurfacing (flat & recessed) - Engine Boring and Head Resurfacing - ) MERV PUGH 179 Casimir St. - Port Perry 95-9345 of tissue to reveal cells and other structures that might be present. Tissue sections are used to diagnose or exclude cancers. BLOOD BANK This is the grouping of blood of patients and cross matching donor blood for transfusions, which are essential for major surgery. According to Ms. Allen, one common mis- conception the public has about labs in small- er hospitals, is that many of the tests are '""sent out" to Toronto or Oshawa. This is not the case. Although the lab at Port Perry Hospital does not have a histology depart- ment, 97 per cent of the tests ordered by physic- ians are done in the hospital lab here. Because doctors must order tests on patients at any time, the lab is open seven days per week. Technologists are "on call'"' and often are called in to work in the middle of the night. While patients in larger hospitals will have virtualy no contact with lab staff, the same is not true in Port Perry. The technologists visit patients rooms to take blood samples, as do the lab assistants. Because the health and even the lives of patients depend on the work done in the lab, rigid standards must be maintained at all times. There is no margin for error, and Ms. Allen says that lab technol- ogists feel the stress that comes with this profession. But to help insure that rigid standards are met, up to 25 per cent of the workload in the lab is spent on quality control and the testing of the sophisticated equip- ment to see that it is not malfunctioning. And six times each year, the Ontario Medical Association conducts its own tests of all labs in the province, NEW MANAGER'S SPECIALS 4 cyl.. 4 spd., radio dk. blue, blue - rim low kms. full price 1983 Capri Hatchback $7777 full price 1979 Acadian Hatchback 4 cyl. 4 spd., radio good transportation $2695 4 cyl., 4 spd., radio one owner car full price 1982 Escort L 4 Dr. Sedan $4980 full price 1979 Toyota Supra Hatchback 4 cyl., 4 spd. radio air cond., black beauty $6388 full price 1979 Malibu 2 Dr. 6 cyl, AT. P.S., radio completely reconditioned $3980 4 cyl, AT. radio certi"ed full price 1976 Chevette 2 Dr. $1895 Bob Switzer has been appointed Used Car Manager and invites his many Port Perry area friends to call him with any used car or truck need. FA EWN L= [Foro] 815 King St W. at Thornton Rd Oshawa CYRIL by sending out pre-test- ed samples to the labs. The labs test the samples and return the results to the OMA for comparison. If there are problems, the lab could have its licence lifted. For the average per- son, stepping into a modern, medical lab can be both fascinating and bewildering. It's a world of test tubes, microscopes and a variety of other elect- ronic machines which find the clues to why someone is sick and what course of medical action is needed to return that person to better health. Advances in computer science are being put to use in the medical lab, and have helped to reduce the time factor for. many tests. The "Health detect- ives' are not resentful of the fact that most hospital patients (and the general public) for- get that the lab exists, but they are hoping for more public awareness. How often do you see a card of thanks in a newspaper which offers heartfelt appreciation to doctors, nurses, candy stripers, volunteers, or ambulance drivers. How often do you see thanks to the staff in the lab? Think about that the next time you have a blood sample taken. Think about where the blood sample goes and what happens to it. Think about how important it is to your health that highly skill- ed and trained health detectives are able to find out so much from that sample. Without the labora- tory, the practice of modern medicine would be impossible. INSTANT PASSPORT PHOTOS By Appointment Only! Ready while you wait. Call Today. PORT PERRY STAR 235 QUEEN STREET PHONE 985-7383 Zoe Allen is chief technologist at the medical lab in Port Perry Hospital. Hoping to increase public awareness of the work lab technologists do, the Ontario Society this week is sponsoring Lab Technology Week. The work is crucial to our health care system, but most hospital patients never see a lab or technologist. (See story) Chesterfield Suites Love Seats Sectionals & Mattresses - A Large Selection - McKEEN FURNITURE 524 Simcoe $1. $., Oshawa 12% 5181 "CLASS A MECHANIC" For flat rate Ford Service Department excellent Remuneration and Benefit Program. 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