Health Canada has released the finalized Guidance Document: Blood Regulations (PDF) which provides guidance on how to interpret the Blood Regulations to all establishments who perform any of the following activities related to blood: 

• Processing, including donor suitability assessment, collection, testing, and blood component preparation; 
• Transforming, including washing, pooling, and irradiating blood;
• Labelling;
• Storing;
• Record keeping;
• Importing, for transfusion;
• Distributing;
• Error and Accident Investigation and Reporting; and
• Adverse Reaction Investigation and Reporting.

Comments received from the consultation on the draft version of the guidance document were reviewed and considered in the finalization of this document.
Santé Canada est heureux d’annoncer la publication de la version finale de la Ligne directrice : Règlement sur le sang (PDF). Le but de la ligne directrice est d’offrir des conseils sur l’interprétation du Règlement sur le sang aux établissements qui pratiquent les activités liées au sang suivantes : 

• le traitement, y compris l’évaluation de l’admissibilité des donneurs et la collecte, l’analyse et la préparation de composants sanguins; 
• la transformation, y compris le lavage, la mise en commun et l’irradiation du sang;
• l’étiquetage;
• l’entreposage;
• la tenue des dossiers;
• l’importation, aux fins de transfusion;
• la distribution;
• les enquêtes et les déclarations concernant les erreurs et les accidents; 
• les enquêtes et les déclarations concernant les effets indésirables.

Les commentaires provenant de la consultation sur l'ébauche de la ligne directrice ont été examinés et considérés lors de la finalisation du document.

CMLTO is pleased to announce the release of its fifth annual Medical Laboratory Technologist Health Human Resource Exploration report. This analysis of the 2013 CMLTO membership data examines MLT practice, employment facility and status, and the provision of MLT education. Health human resource planning is informed and supported by health professional demographic and practice-specific data. Read or download the report (PDF) here.

Public Health Ontario issued an alert about viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) for clinicians which includes information about diagnostic laboratory testing for suspect VHF patients. Read the update (PDF) now.

As reported in the December 2013 and February 2014 issues of FOCUS, the CMLTO Council passed amendments to the Consolidated Bylaws requiring practising members to carry professional liability insurance (PLI), in all employment settings by March 31, 2014.
Effective April 1, 2014:
• Current practising CMLTO members will be required to complete a self-declaration form describing compliance with the bylaw requirements during the annual registration renewal period beginning in October 2014, as well as throughout the year if any changes are made to their CMLTO registration.
• Practising members may be chosen to be audited randomly to provide proof of PLI.
• New CMLTO membership applicants will be required to complete an undertaking requiring that PLI is in place prior to starting professional practice. 
For more information about PLI, please go to this page.

Whenever possible, CMLTO lists events that may be of interest to those working in the medical laboratory technology profession or other regulated health professions, on this page.
If you are looking for a CMLTO staff member to make a presentation, please go to this page.

The CMLTO Council establishes the College’s strategic directions and the outcomes that will lead self-regulation forward in the interest of the public’s right to safe, high-quality health care. The CMLTO invites you to be part of this process by seeking appointment for Academic Member position on Council. Bring your knowledge, skill and ability to Council and help shape the future.

To be eligible the member’s primary employment must be teaching a course of study accredited by the Canadian Medical Association’s Conjoint Committee for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Medical Laboratory Technology.

To be considered for appointment to the Council Academic Member position, please submit a brief letter outlining why you are seeking the appointment and the value you would bring to Council, accompanied by a copy of your current resumé.

Applications will be reviewed by the CMLTO Executive Committee, with an appointment being approved by Council at the November 2014 Council meeting.

The Academic Member term commences January 1, 2015, and ends December 31, 2017.
If you require further information about the Academic Member’s role or the application process, please email executiveoffice@cmlto.com.

Please mail your application to: Registrar & Executive Director, CMLTO, 25 Adelaide Street East, Suite 2100, Toronto, ON M5C 3A1

The deadline for Academic Member applications to be received by the College is May 23, 2014, 5:00 pm.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a lab-confirmed case of measles. Diagnosis of measles should include both clinical and laboratory assessment. Laboratory diagnosis of measles should include both serology and virus detection.
For more information, please read the Surveillance Alert (PDF).

In late July 2013, CMLTO launched a 60-day consultation regarding the proposed amendments to the CMLTO Consolidated Bylaws requiring all Practising members to carry professional liability insurance (PLI), effective March 31, 2014. Council received CMLTO members’ and stakeholders’ feedback at its November 29, 2013 meeting.

The motion to adopt the proposed amendments to the CMLTO Consolidated Bylaws passed unanimously.

Medical laboratory technologists with questions about the implications of this new bylaw to their professional practice should refer to the Professional Liability Insurance pages for further information.

CMLTO members are reminded that the deadline for the 2014 Annual Registration Renewal is December 31, 2013.
For more information about renewing online, please click here.

Members must renew their 2014 Annual Registration online by December 31, 2013, at www.cmlto-onlineservices.com.  

1. Log in by entering your User name (Registration Number) and current User password (birth date in the following format [yyyy/MMM/dd]).
2. Payment options are credit card (Visa and MasterCard only) and Interac/Debit payment. To use your debit card, you must be set up for electronic banking.
3. Upon completion of your annual registration renewal, you must return to CMLTO online services and select “View/Print receipts” to print your proof of registration/income tax receipt.
4. If you decide that you no longer wish to continue your registration with CMLTO, and avoid having your membership suspended for non payment of fees, you must resign your membership. To resign your membership for 2014, select the “Renew your Membership” button. Under the “Class of Registration” tab, select the resign option. Please remember to “Save the class of registration” data page and “Confirm to Resign”.
5. A twenty (20%) percent penalty fee will be automatically applied if you renew your membership after December 31, 2013, and before January 31, 2014.

Member Services is available to assist you with your registration renewal from Monday to Friday, 8:30am until 4:30pm Please note the CMLTO office hours during the holidays.