It is Stroke Awareness Month and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is celebrating 10 years of Code Stroke. We are highlighting the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to provide timely and effective care for stroke patients. Meet the Medical Laboratory team.
What is your position at the Hospital?
We are a team of Medical Laboratory Professionals (MLPs). Although there are a number of different MLPs in the Hospital Laboratory, two types of professionals are involved in stroke protocols:
(1) medical laboratory assistants/technicians (MLATs) who perform pre-analytical testing, i.e., proper patient ID with blood collection/phlebotomy; and
(2) licensed, regulated medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) who analyze and report assay results, i.e., coagulation studies.
What role does your team play in Code Stroke?
The blood collection by MLAT is performed STAT because door to needle matters. It can save lives and for these reasons is measured/tracked provincially. Testing is also performed/reported STAT by MLTs.
What is unique about your team’s role?
Our team provides timely, accurate laboratory testing. This is crucial to aiding physicians with respect to medical diagnosis and treatment decisions.
How does your team impact stroke patient care?
Laboratory service’s role is crucial to patient care. We provide the doctor with critical/key information. MLPs are specially trained to keep the bar high for quality.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your profession as it relates to Code Stroke/stroke care?
The most rewarding aspect of our profession is service, helping patients and saving lives.