The CMLTO Event calendar page has been updated with 2015 listings of events which may interest MLTs.
To request a CMLTO representative deliver a presentation at your organization, please e-mail memberrelations@cmlto.com. 

In October 2014, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins asked the Councils of Ontario’s regulatory health Colleges to make transparency a priority objective in their strategic plans, if it is not yet a stated priority.

In December 2014, Minister Hoskins established a Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Patients and the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. He then asked each College to report on the current status and operations of its patient relations program’s measures for preventing and dealing with the sexual abuse of patients by January 23, 2015.

Click here to read the Minister’s request and click here to read CMLTO’s response.

In October, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins asked the Councils of Ontario’s regulatory health Colleges to make transparency a priority objective in their strategic plans, if it is not yet a stated priority. Further, Minister Hoskins directed the Councils to take concrete steps to develop and establish measures that will continuously increase transparency in College processes and decision-making, and that will make more information available to Ontarians.

The Minister wants “to ensure that all Ontarians have access to information that is relevant and timely, useful and accurate – information that evokes public confidence and enhances the public’s ability to make informed decisions about their care.” As a result, he requested each Council to submit reports to him by December 1, 2014, outlining existing measures their College has in place to enhance transparency and new measures it will develop to increase transparency in College processes, decision-making and information disclosure.

You may read the CMLTO’s response (PDF) which details its measures and processes that demonstrate and support transparency to the public and members. 

The CMLTO launched a survey to evaluate the current knowledge of the MLT Scope of Practice and to explore MLTs’ involvement in professional practice activities within and beyond their current Scope of Practice. The online survey, which was composed of seven questions, was launched in July 2014 and closed on August 1, 2014. The survey link was sent to 800 randomly selected Practising MLTs. 
Read or download the survey results (PDF) now.

This directive replaces Directive #1 issued on October 17, 2014.
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) issued a directive about personal protective equipment and procedures regarding Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) for health care workers. The purpose is to provide instructions to all acute care settings, and their management and employees, concerning precautions and procedures necessary to protect the health of workers and significantly reduce the risk of spreading the disease. Click here to read or download the revised directive (PDF) and click here for the fact sheet summarizing changes to Directive #1.
Further directives for other settings, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), primary care and laboratories; and concerning training, testing, transportation of specimens, waste disposal and other matters will follow. 

Health Canada announced the Blood Regulations and consequential amendments under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act, published in Canada Gazette, Part II, came into force October 23, 2014. 
The Blood Regulations Guidance Document (PDF) contains safety requirements with respect to blood for transfusion or for further manufacture and apply to all establishments that handle blood.
For more information visit this Health Canada page. 

The CMLTO’s Annual Registration Renewal Notice will be sent by letter mail to members at their current addresses in late October. Online renewal will be available from November 1 to December 31, 2014.
Please review and update your profile as necessary. If you have recently moved, remember to change your mailing address by visiting www.cmlto-onlineservices.com before October 1, 2014.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) reminds clinicians that early September is when West Nile Virus (WNV) cases are often detected. The first case of WNV during 2014 has been reported to TPH. IgM/IgG antibody testing was positive and confirmatory (PRNT) testing is pending.
Please read the PDF of the alert for information about specimen collection and lab testing.
 

CMLTO invites OSMT conference goers to attend its presentation, “Medical Laboratory Assistants & Technicians: The Road to Regulation.”

The conference is being held in Kingston, September 19-21, 2014. The CMLTO presentation is slated for September 20^th, from 3:15 to 4:15pm, in the Gibraltar Room at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.
The CMLTO Council has identified the regulation of medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians as one of its strategic priorities.

Member Relations and Policy Specialist John Tzountzouris’ presentation will discuss the initiative’s origins, the progress made so far, and the next steps in this multi-year project.

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn how they can get involved in this initiative. It is the CMLTO’s goal to engage all medical laboratory practitioners and stakeholders in the process. Increased access to a broader range of regulated health professionals in the clinical laboratory is in the public’s best interest.

Medical laboratory assistants and technicians have a significant and increasing impact on quality patient care due to their expanding roles and broadened responsibilities in the clinical laboratory. As they provide phlebotomy services and pre-analytical functions, they are often the primary source of contact between the laboratory, patients, and other health care professionals, in specimen collection centres, point-of-care settings and long-term care facilities.

Bring your questions and comments about the road to regulation. Information about the initiative is posted on CMLTO’s website.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term continues to collaborate with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Health Ontario (PHO), Ministry of Labour and other health system partners to monitor the evolving Ebola virus disease (EVD) situation in West Africa and take measures to ensure the ongoing health system’s readiness to respond to a probable or confirmed case. The risk posed by Ebola for Ontarians remains low.
PHO has updated its guidance for public health units, health workers and health sector employers on its EVD Website. Visit www.publichealthontario.ca/ebola to view its resources, in particular, the following document which updates laboratory guidance: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Interim Sample Collection and Submission Guide (PDF).