COVID-19 information
05 March 2020
CMLTO releases updated QAP requirements effective Jan 1, 2021
05 March 2020
The CMLTO Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is implementing significant improvements which will affect all Practising members. The program updates will come into effect January 1, 2021. Click on the box above for more details.
Members have been notified of the changes by postal mail sent in the first week of March 2020, and in the FOCUS 2020, Issue 1. View a PDF of the letter mailed to members: English, French.
Call for Nominations for Election to CMLTO Council
02 March 2020
The CMLTO exists for the protection of the public’s right to safe, high-quality health care through self-regulation and leadership of the medical laboratory technology profession. The Council establishes CMLTO’s strategic direction and the outcomes that will lead self-regulation forward in the interest of public safety.
The CMLTO invites members to be part of this process. Bring your knowledge, skill, and ability to Council and help shape the future. Click on the above image to read or download the poster (PDF).
To achieve an effective mix of skills and abilities, the Council has established selection criteria for Council Member nominations and appointments.These criteria are designed to increase understanding of the qualifications and expectations of Council Members and serve as a guide for candidates and for those who are nominating, and being nominated, for Council positions. Please click here for more information.
POCT in Ontario
26 February 2020
The CMLTO has updated its online information regarding point-of-care testing (POCT) in Ontario. Please click here to review the revised page.
COVID-19 guidance for labs and specimen collection centres
18 February 2020
The Ministry of Health has published a PDF, "Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Community Laboratories and Specimen Collection Centres."
Healthcare professionals should refer to the Ministry of Health's page for guidance about the virus, found here.
The public should refer to this Ministry page for information and resources.
Healthcare professionals should refer to the Ministry of Health's page for guidance about the virus, found here.
The public should refer to this Ministry page for information and resources.
CMLTO office closed for Family Day
13 February 2020
Please note that the CMLTO office is closed for the Family Day statutory holiday on February 17, 2020. Regular office hours resume at 8:30 am on February 18th.
CMLTO issues registration suspensions
10 February 2020
MLTs who did not renew their memberships by 11:59 pm EST on Friday, February 7, 2020, have had their certificates of registration suspended. CMLTO Registrar & CEO Kathy Wilkie is notifying those who have been suspended and their employers by postal mail. Upon suspension, those people are no longer authorized to practise medical laboratory technology in Ontario.
Further, a permanent notation of the suspension (and subsequent reinstatement, if applicable) will appear in the MLT’s record in the CMLTO Public Register. A list containing the names of all suspended medical laboratory technologists will be published in the CMLTO FOCUS newsletter. To determine an MLT’s status at any time, please search the Public Register.
Further, a permanent notation of the suspension (and subsequent reinstatement, if applicable) will appear in the MLT’s record in the CMLTO Public Register. A list containing the names of all suspended medical laboratory technologists will be published in the CMLTO FOCUS newsletter. To determine an MLT’s status at any time, please search the Public Register.
Information regarding 2019-nCoV
07 February 2020
For healthcare professionals
For specific guidance regarding 2019-nCoV, please refer to the Ministry of Health 2019-nCoV Guidance. Public Health Ontario (PHO) and the Ministry of Health continue to develop guidance specific to 2019-nCoV to assist public health and healthcare workers.
Healthcare providers considering the need to test a patient for 2019-nCoV should contact PHO’s Customer Service Centre at: 416-235-6556 / 1-877-604-4567 for advice and support.
For members of the public
For official information and links to resources, please refer to the Ministry of Health page. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Williams says the risk to the public remains low.
For specific guidance regarding 2019-nCoV, please refer to the Ministry of Health 2019-nCoV Guidance. Public Health Ontario (PHO) and the Ministry of Health continue to develop guidance specific to 2019-nCoV to assist public health and healthcare workers.
Healthcare providers considering the need to test a patient for 2019-nCoV should contact PHO’s Customer Service Centre at: 416-235-6556 / 1-877-604-4567 for advice and support.
For members of the public
For official information and links to resources, please refer to the Ministry of Health page. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Williams says the risk to the public remains low.
Ministry of Health dedicated 2019-nCoV page
27 January 2020
To help educate Ontarians about Wuhan novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), how they can protect themselves and what to do if they suspect they may be at risk, the Ministry of Health has launched a dedicated webpage.
Every weekday at 10:30 am ET, the page will be updated with the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Ontario.
The 2019-nCoV symptoms, which can include fever and cough, are similar to other respiratory infections, including influenza. As a result, people who may simply have the flu are being tested out of an abundance of caution and in line with Ontario’s robust detection protocols. This means that most people who are tested are unlikely to be infected with 2019-nCoV.
Every weekday at 10:30 am ET, the page will be updated with the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Ontario.
The 2019-nCoV symptoms, which can include fever and cough, are similar to other respiratory infections, including influenza. As a result, people who may simply have the flu are being tested out of an abundance of caution and in line with Ontario’s robust detection protocols. This means that most people who are tested are unlikely to be infected with 2019-nCoV.
Ministry of Health advisory: 2019-nCoV
23 January 2020
On January 22, 2020, the Ontario Ministry of Health issued an advisory concerning Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
"Hospitals and other care facilities will be required to report a suspected or confirmed case of the new coronavirus to their local medical officer of health. The local public health unit can then quickly and effectively take all necessary measures to investigate, complete lab tests, and do case and contact management to prevent and control further spread of the infection."
Relevant links for current information about the management of 2019-nCoV: Public Health Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
January 23, 2020 advisories from Ontario's Office of Chief Medical Officer of Health: Update letter (PDF) and Case definition document (PDF).
"Hospitals and other care facilities will be required to report a suspected or confirmed case of the new coronavirus to their local medical officer of health. The local public health unit can then quickly and effectively take all necessary measures to investigate, complete lab tests, and do case and contact management to prevent and control further spread of the infection."
Relevant links for current information about the management of 2019-nCoV: Public Health Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
January 23, 2020 advisories from Ontario's Office of Chief Medical Officer of Health: Update letter (PDF) and Case definition document (PDF).
