This week the LMP Q&A BUG made a visit to Toronto Western Hospital’s (TWH) Rapid Response Laboratory and ‘infected’ Ian Kerr, Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT). The nomination came from our previous Q&A BUG ‘victim,’ Yasmin Halley. You can check out Yasmin’s photo Q&A, HERE.
As an MLT in the Rapid Response lab, Ian conducts hematology and bioichemistry testing for patients who are often in immediate medical need. Patient samples come from either the hospital’s emergency department, or intensive care unit, and certain tests require results to be delivered in under 30 minutes. TWH’s rapid response lab has six full time technologists that rotate shifts covering a 24 hour operation – and with just two technologists working at a time, the lab is able to conduct around 80 complete blood count (CBC) tests, 50 coagulation tests, and 150 biochemistry tests per eight hour shift.
The Rapid Response lab is a unique area of LMP as technologists handle the entire laboratory process, from receiving specimens to delivering results. Additionally it’s a role that requires constant multi-tasking, as there are different requests coming in throughout the day, inventory that needs to be maintained, and testing equipment that breaks down and requires troubleshooting. Ian says it can be stressful, but also exciting because you’re never sure what type of day you’ll get.
It’s also important to mention the role the LMP Call Centre plays in sending urgent tests to the Rapid Response Lab, and delivering critical results. For more information on the LMP Call Centre, take a look at last week’s UHN News story HERE.
To learn more about Ian, check out his photo Q&A below. Make sure to read to the end to find out who’s next to be ‘infected’ by the LMP Q&A BUG. It could be you!
Whereabouts do you live and how do you commute to work?
What was your worst job?
If you could be famous for one thing, what would it be?
Where was your last road trip to?
What’s your favorite meal to make at home?
What was your first live concert?
If you could bring one thing on a weekend camping trip, what would it be?
What do you do for fun?
What’s your favourite animal? (Draw it!)
What’s your favourite TV show?
Favourite sports team or athlete?
If you had to describe working for LMP in one word, what would it be?
If your friends were to describe you in one word, what would it be?
Because Ian completed the photo series Q&A he was given the opportunity to pass the bug onto someone else… It’s now with great pleasure we announce the next staff member to be ‘infected’ by the LMP Q&A BUG:
Allison Ming-Freckleton, Laboratory Technologist, Biochemistry Core Lab
Have a common interest with Ian? – Share it in the comments section!
- That a hotel stay sounds much nicer than a weekend camping trip
- How you’re hoping for a miracle and somehow the Raptors will beat the Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors for a championship!
- That Ian’s cat drawing looks like your Siamese
- How you can’t wait for the new season of Game of Thrones – April 24
The Pathology Report 
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