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Position Statements

The College has developed position statements which establish the College’s viewpoint on medical laboratory science issues.

POINT OF CARE TESTING

Point of Care Testing (POCT) is an alternative to central or core laboratory testing that is performed near the patient, predominantly by non-laboratory healthcare personnel. Potential benefits to POCT include: improved turnaround time, reduced time to diagnosis, treatment and length of stay, improved patient outcomes, and lower overall costs. POCT is made possible by the technological advancements that have produced portable, easy to operate instrumentation that can rapidly deliver high quality test results through the use of whole blood technologies. Effective management of these advancements continues to necessitate the inclusion of Medical Laboratory Technologists in an important leadership role.

Successful POCT programs require thorough planning, implementation and evaluation. The initial step required for implementation is the formation of a multidisciplinary POCT Steering Committee. This collaboration sets the stage for cross-discipline communication and resolution of Point of Care issues. The committee’s role includes the evaluation and determination of:

  • medical necessity for testing
  • potential improvements for patient outcomes
  • standardization and performance verification of available technologies
  • testing frequency and utilization
  • certification and staffing requirements 
  • effective cost management
The POCT Steering Committee must adhere to both the accreditation requirements set forth by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta 1 and the Alberta Health and Wellness Guidelines established for POCT 2.
 
Clinical laboratories must focus on assuring continuous quality of all laboratory testing. The laboratory must work collaboratively with other healthcare personnel to establish a quality management program that includes:
  • developing, maintaining, and reviewing appropriate training and competency programs 
  • developing written procedure manuals
  • establishing and monitoring appropriate documentation
  • establishing and monitoring quality control practices
  • implementing and auditing internal and external proficiency testing programs
  • ensuring compliance with equipment management protocols
POCT is a unique opportunity for Medical Laboratory Technologists to work collaboratively with a broad scope of healthcare professionals by providing strong clinical laboratory expertise and leadership.
 

REGULATION OF MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANTS (MLAs)

Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) play a crucial role in the present health care industry. MLAs work in a variety of front line clinical laboratory settings (hospital, private, and research laboratories) and assist in a number of disciplines, which makes the nature of their work very distinct and diversified.

The Health Professions Act (HPA) legislation was enacted to ensure public protection and safety in the health sector. This legislation mandates health professionals recognized under the HPA to demonstrate continuing competence and empowers the College to take disciplinary action against its regulated members if their practice has been deemed incompetent.

MLAs comprise approximately 40% of Alberta’s laboratory workforce. Since MLAs are not recognized under the HPA, neither the College nor any other regulatory body has jurisdiction to ensure minimum standards of training, competence, or ethical practice.

MLAs possess a body of knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and expertise that is unique to their practice and, moreover, one that continues to increase in breadth and depth in large part due to the following requirements:

  • Skills and abilities related to invasive procedures performed on the public involving risk of physical harm.
  • A minimum skill set for the performance of a variety of pre and post analytical tasks, critical for sample integrity and in ensuring accurate and reliable test results being reported in a timely manner. Performance of limited analytical testing.

College Council values the contribution of MLAs to laboratory service delivery and appreciates the significance of the MLA practice on patient outcomes. As such, the College supports the recognition of MLAs as a professional technical support group under the HPA. It is anticipated that the demand for MLAs in Alberta will continue to grow and that their practice will further evolve. Recognition of MLAs under provincial legislation and self- regulation will ensure adherence to the HPA mandate of “Public Protection”.

SAFE PRACTICE

There is growing recognition of the impact of unsafe acts and medical errors on the health and well-being of the public. Various organizations support the creation of a culture of patient safety within all sectors of the healthcare field.

Medical laboratory practice is integral to the healthcare of the public. Medical laboratory professionals employ strategies to manage and enhance safe practice, protecting members of the public and healthcare professionals.

Quality systems for infection prevention, infection control, and safety are essential elements of the medical laboratory professional’s knowledge and skill requirements for competent practice. Through the College Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, medical laboratory professionals commit to a culture of patient and workplace safety.

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