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Office of the Fairness Commissioner commends CMLTO

25 April 2012

In January 2012, Ontario’s Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) assessed CMLTO's registration processes. In its report, the OFC found that CMLTO demonstrates many commendable practices. Learn more at the OFC website.

The OFC recommended one area for improvement, which the CMLTO has remedied. See the action plan (PDF) submitted to the OFC for more information.

AODA update

16 April 2012

The goal of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is to make Ontario accessible for people with disabilities by 2025.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) developed standards and rules that businesses and organizations must follow to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility.

As of January 1, 2012, all private and non-profit sector organizations, with one or more employees, must be in compliance with the AODA Customer Service Standards. Employers are responsible for training staff in AODA requirements and CMLTO is working to ensure its own customer service efforts comply.

The primary role for health regulatory Colleges in supporting their members’ compliance is as information conduits. Colleges are not responsible for training nor monitoring of members' AODA compliance.

If you have concerns about AODA compliance in your workplace, speak with your employer. For more information about the Act, go to the MCSS website.

CMLTO releases Enhanced Professionalism position paper

13 April 2012

CMLTO is proud to announce the release of its Enhanced Professionalism Position Paper.

Enhanced professionalism refers to the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours of MLTs that support the evolving needs of the public and the health care system.

Based on discussion with MLTs and building on the themes presented in the CMLTO White Paper: Empowering Enhanced Professionalism, the current position paper:
  • defines the components of enhanced professionalism
  • highlights its importance in support of the evolution of the heath care system
  • presents a case for the collaborative efforts of stakeholders in the profession to assist in this transformation.
Please contact member_relations@cmlto.com to share your thoughts on enhanced professionalism or to request a CMLTO representative deliver a presentation at your organization.

Interprofessional collaboration study

22 March 2012

Take 15 minutes to help evaluate the impact of recent regulatory changes on your clinical practice.
You're invited to participate in an online survey investigating recent regulatory changes related to interprofessional collaboration among health regulatory colleges and their members. Researchers at Western University along with the Ontario Health Human Resources Research Network are conducting research into changes to Bill 171 An Act to improve health systems by amending or repealing various enactments and enacting several Acts (2007) and Bill 179 An Act to amend various acts related to regulated health professionals and certain other Acts.

CMLTO Registrar and Executive Director Kathy Wilkie strongly encourages members to participate as the information gathered will evaluate the impact these regulatory changes have had on the MLT profession. Read her letter to members (PDF) here and a letter of information (PDF) from the research team here.

Data obtained from the survey will be encrypted to ensure confidentiality and presented in aggregate form to maintain the confidentiality of survey participants. The research team will share a summary of the results of this study with CMLTO.

Health Canada proposes stand-alone Blood Regulations

13 March 2012

Health Canada is proposing stand-alone Blood Regulations – under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act – that will contain safety, quality and efficacy requirements with respect to blood for transfusion or for further manufacture. The proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and the Food and Drug Regulations, were published in Canada Gazette, Part I (CGI) on March 10, 2012. These documents are available at the Health Canada website.

The proposed Blood Regulations will apply to all persons or establishments who perform any of the following activities related to blood: processing (donor suitability assessment, collection, testing and blood component preparation); transforming (washing, pooling and irradiating blood intended for transfusion); labelling; storing; record keeping; importing (for transfusion); distributing; and error, accident and adverse reaction investigation and reporting.

Office of the Fairness Commissioner commends CMLTO

31 January 2012

In January 2012, Ontario’s Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) assessed CMLTO's registration processes. In its report, the OFC found that CMLTO demonstrates many commendable practices. Learn more at the OFC website.

CMLTO responds to HPRAC regarding health care professionals treating spouses

23 January 2012

As one of more than 20 health professions granted self-regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA), CMLTO members are prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with patients under the Act.

The Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC), which provides independent policy advice to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on matters related to the regulation of health professions across the province, asked CMLTO and the other stakeholders for advice on the issue of mandatory revocation provisions and treatment of spouses by health care professionals.

Read CMLTO's full response here.

Regulatory Amendments Affecting Nurse Practitioner Practice

25 August 2011

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) has published a news item about legislative amendments affecting nurse practitioner (NP) practice to take effect October 1, 2011.  To view the news item, visit www.cno.org or click here.

 

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) has provided the following overview of regulatory amendments affecting nurse practitioner (NP) practice, which may have implications for CMLTO members. The following changes will take effect on July 1st,  2011.  

 

  • The NP laboratory list will be revoked on July 1st, 2011. NPs will be authorized to order lab tests as appropriate for client care and in compliance with expectations set out in the NP Practice Standard. This amendment does not affect the lists of drugs, x-rays and ultrasounds that continue to govern the clinical aspects of NP practice.
  • Amendments to regulation 965 under the Public Hospitals Act take effect on July 1st. The changes will permit NPs to order diagnostics and treatments for hospital in-patients (this is in addition to their current authority to treat hospital out-patients). With the exception of the laboratory list, which is being revoked on July 1st, the other lists (e.g., drugs, x-rays, ultrasounds) continue to apply to their practice.
  • If NPs have authority to order procedures under a profession-specific act (e.g., laboratory technology, respiratory therapy) or other applicable legislation (e.g., Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act for x-rays) these recent amendments will enable NPs to order these procedures for hospital inpatients starting July 1st. These may be procedures that are carried out by your members. 
  • Starting July 1st 2011, NPs will be authorized to certify death of a hospitalized patient subject to the conditions of the Vital Statistics Act (click here for conditions).  
  • Starting July 1st 2011, NPs will be authorized to discharge hospital clients subject to any rules / policies established by the facility.  
  • NPs are registered nurses in the extended the class. To confirm that a member of the CNO is an NP, click here  to view the register “find a nurse”.  
  • CNO has posted information on its website at:

http://www.cno.org/en/news/2011/06/regulation-amendments-affecting-np-practice/

http://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/educational-tools/nurse-practitioners/np-practice-resources/#title13  (scroll down to “hospital privileges”)

On July 1st CNO frequently asked questions will be updated to reflect the new authorities and the laboratory list will be removed from the website and replaced with an explanatory note.

http://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/educational-tools/nurse-practitioners/faqs-nurse-practitioners-and-scope-of-practice/            

http://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/publications-list/list-of-all-publications/amended-drug-laboratory-and-diagnostic-test-lists/#title1

 

The Ministry of Heatlh and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) issued an INFOBulletin on June 22nd regarding Laboratory Tests Ordered by Nurse Practitioners.  That bulletin may be accessed on the MOHLTC website at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/ohip/bulletins/bulletin_mn.html or by clicking here.  You may access the PDF version of the INFOBulletin by clicking here.

Draft Scope of Practice for Registered Medical Laboratory Technicians Released

01 April 2011

The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) continues to pursue the regulation of medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians.

In 2010:

A draft Scope of Practice Statement for Registered Medical Laboratory Technicians has now been released. The draft scope of practice statement for medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians is a fundamental part of this initiative as it facilitates the clear identification of which practitioners the CMLTO is addressing.

In 2011, the CMLTO and the Advisory Working Group will focus on establishing criteria for voluntary rostering for medical laboratory assistants and medical laboratory technicians.

We encourage individuals to share this information with their medical laboratory assistant and medical laboratory technician colleagues so they too can become, or remain, engaged.

CSMLS Launches National Med Lab Week Commercial

04 March 2011

The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) has launched a National Medical Laboratory Week commercial at www.knowingmatters.ca.  Please visit the site and help continue to raise public awareness of medical laboratory professionals!