LABORATORY SERVICES
Our comprehensive lab services are available to detect and monitor disease. We work around the clock, seven days a week, testing, evaluating and reporting results for your better health.
Our lab is equipped with the latest computerized instrumentation for quick and accurate inpatient and outpatient testing, enabling our skilled team of medical technologists to effectively process 192,000 tests in 2009/2010 in areas such as Chemistry, Hematology, Bacteriology, Immunohematology, Serology, Pathology, Histology/Cytology. It is the only local service in our broad catchment area.
Outpatient testing is available: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.. Please call to book an appointment at (705) 653-1140 ext. 2124.
Haematology
is used to detect changes in blood cells in disease states such as anemia, infection and leukemia. This includes the examination of peripheral blood, bone marrow and other fluids. Coagulation (blood clotting) testing is also performed to monitor patients on anticoagulant therapy, to detect bleeding disorders (hemophilia) and thrombolytic disorders.
Histology/Cytology
is the preparation of all tissue specimens and body fluids removed at surgery, by needle biopsy or aspiration for examination by a pathologist, who then makes a diagnosis.
Clinical Chemistry
involves testing in the areas of routine chemical constituents, enzymes, lipids, protein, protein electrophoresis, therapeutic drug monitoring, diabetic management, hormone analysis, routine urinalysis and profiles of abusive drugs.
Bacteriology
is the isolation, identification and subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria, fungi, and pathogenic protozoa.
Immunohematology
is more commonly known as ‘blood banking", the area of medicine dealing with preparing blood and blood components for transfusions as well as the selection of appropriate, compatible components of transfusion.
Serology
refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum. Such antibodies may be formed against a microorganism, against other foreign proteins (in response, for example, to a mismatched blood transfusion), or to one's own proteins (in instances of autoimmune disease). Serological tests may be performed for diagnostic purposes when an infection is suspected, in rheumatic illnesses, and in many other situations, such as checking an individual's blood type. Serology blood tests help to diagnose patients with certain immune deficiencies associated with the lack of antibodies.
Cardiology
focuses on disorders of the heart and blood vessels addressing medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology.
We provide electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and Holter Monitoring services to in-patients and out-patients. These services are booked through a referring physician.
An EKG is a graph produced by recording the electrical activity of the heart over time, yielding important diagnostic information related to cardiac arrhythmias and acute myocardial infarction, It also helps detect electrolyte disturbances, allows for the detection of conduction abnormalities and is used as a screening tool for ischemic heart disease during a cardiac stress test. It is also helpful with non-cardiac diseases (e.g. pulmonary embolism or hypothermia).
A Holter monitor (also called an ambulatory electrocardiography device) is a portable device for continuously monitoring the electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours or more. Its extended recording period is useful for observing occasional cardiac arrhythmias that would be difficult to identify in a shorter period of time. Like an EKG, it records electrical signals from the heart via a series of electrodes attached to the chest. These electrodes are connected to a small piece of equipment that is attached to the patient's belt, and is responsible for keeping a log of the heart's electrical activity throughout the recording period.
The data is uploaded into a computer which then automatically analyzes the input, counting EKG complexes, calculating summary statistics such as average heart rate, minimum and maximum heart rate, and finding candidate areas in the recording worthy of further study by the technician. In addition to wearing the device, most patients are asked to keep a diary of activities such as running and sleeping, symptoms, and times that their symptoms occur. This information is used by doctors and technicians to rapidly pinpoint problem areas in the vast amount of data recorded during the monitoring period.