The staff of the Princess Alexandra Hospital Laboratory will be joining colleagues in many countries of the world in celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 20-27, 2014: The week will be used to highlight the vital role medical laboratory professionals play in our healthcare systems. Sometimes their role goes unnoticed as they often work behind the scenes, but these professionals play a crucial role in the deliverance of quality healthcare. There is no doubt that the medical laboratory professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease in Anguilla.
Why Medical Laboratory Professional Week?
In Anguilla, the theme for this year’s Laboratory Week is: “LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS GET RESULTS – OUR FOCUS IS YOU”.
The week of activities is a time to allow the public, and indeed other healthcare workers, to know more about the work of medical laboratory professionals.
The theme is appropriate and it highlights the importance of having the patient as the centre of their work. Some members of the public do not come into contact with staff at the Lab, but what is done in the Lab has a great impact on the lives of many persons in the community. Many times the staff in the Lab have to work under stressful and demanding situations to produce lab results that are crucial to each individual patient. Timely and accurate Lab results are important in any healthcare system including ours here in Anguilla. Often accurate diagnosis is dependent on the work of our laboratory professionals.
Everyday the Lab staff perform and interpret many lab tests. They have to respond to medical emergencies and often work under much pressure to satisfy the urgent needs of other health professionals.
During the week there would be a number of activities that will allow residents of Anguilla to know more about the role and duties of Laboratory professionals. Indeed many persons do not know what a crucial role the Laboratory staff play in our healthcare system. The dedicated work of laboratory professionals often goes unnoticed by the general public, as well as by the very institution employing their services.
The activities for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week include the following:
• Tuesday 22nd April – Address by the Minister of Health
• Tuesday 22nd April – Free Blood Group Testing for all Health Authority of Anguilla Staff
• Wednesday 23rd April – Educational Session with Grade 6 Students (The Valley and Orealia Kelly Primary School)
• Friday 25th April – Open Day/Appreciation Day. All HAA staff and clients will be given the opportunity to tour the work area of the laboratory – an area normally restricted to the public
• Sunday 27th April – Church Service at the Central Baptist Church
It is hoped that these activities will be successful in increasing the recognition of the importance of the work of medical laboratory professionals among the healthcare community and the general public of Anguilla.
The sessions with the schoolchildren is a good opportunity to raise awareness of the opportunities for a career with the laboratory. We need more medical laboratory professionals on the island.
This week is also a good time for members of the community to honour the work done by our laboratory professionals and to show their appreciation for their work.
Who are Medical Laboratory Professionals?
Medical Laboratory Professionals play a vital role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. It has been said that laboratory results contribute to 70% or more of diagnoses. Physicians rely on the information provided by medical laboratory professionals to determine the diagnosis and treatment of their patients.
A large number of individuals work in the lab. They include the following:
• phlebotomists (specialists in blood collection)
• medical laboratory technicians
• medical technologists
• histotechnologists (specialists in tissue preparation)
• cytotechnologists (specialists in the microscopic interpretation of cells)
• And many others.
All these health professional carry out technical and scientific functions, in medical laboratories, that help in the diagnosis and prevention of disease.
Laboratory testing has made significant improvements in Anguilla from the days of the old Cottage Hospital. The number of testing has increased tremendously, and with new and modern equipment, such as automation and computerisation, the accuracy and improved speed of results have led to improved healthcare for the client/patient.
Conclusion
The staff of the Princess Alexandra Hospital Laboratory are celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 2014 from April 20 to April 27. Activities, this week, highlight the vital role laboratory professionals play in our health system. It is also a good time to honour our laboratory health professionals for the important contributions that have made, and continue to make, to the provision of quality healthcare on our island.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
