Being Canadian

There was an interesting story in the news today about a local assembly line worker (37 years of experience) who wrote a letter to one of the local newspapers; stating that his employer (a fresh fruit packer) was purchasing out-of-country produce.   His feelings and comments are understandable insofar as we live in an area that produces tonnes of fresh fruit each year AND the local orchardists are having a very difficult time competing against the much larger out-of-country producers.  He was suspended without pay for a week.  All week, he went on a hunger strike and picketed in the downtown area.  He returned to work today and was fired after ~2 hours.

I haven't had the opportunity to read this man's letter but fear, if he said nothing overtly libellous, that he is being fired for little more than having exercised his Canadian right to free speech.  The employer should see what his clearly-stated motive is; to protect local orchardists.

When I was growing up, my parents told me about citizens of communist countries who were forced to fear for their well-being if they spoke their minds.  This incident sure sounds similar, doesn't it?  Canadian employees and employers should take note of this. 

I hope that this guy sues for wrongful dismissal...and wins.

Grossing manual

Good news!  Thanks in no small part to the foresight of the medical director, the first edition of the grossing manual for this area has been 'published' in its entirety.  There will likely be a rash of suggested amendments in a year's time -- and a tonne of work updating and improving the procedures -- but the important part is that the manual is in place; a good place to start; a positive move.

Collusion and Price-fixing gasoline

Gas prices; Collusion? Price-fixing? YOU BET it's happening.  Every gas station has the same price and the prices are changed within minutes of each other.  Sure there's no competition; that's because they're all in it together.  Who's getting shafted?  You and me.  Somebody, usually a politician, gets put-off and writes a letter to the editor or something and some Exxon rep responds that there's no collusion and no price fixing.  End of story.  This is reminiscent of the tobacco companies assuring us that their product is safe!  How stupid does it make us look to accept the pat explanation from individuals who stand to benefit by it (our stupidity)?!

Of course I accept that there are global factors at play which affect fluctuations in the price of oil but I honestly have my doubts that they need to be routinely enacted one day before a long weekend -- to have the price again reduced after the weekend.  PULLEASE!  Give me a break!

Larissa Yarr, MLT 1988 - 2011

What a waste; what a shame. My sympathies to the Yarr family, all of her many friends and all of her colleagues, classmates and co-workers.

PA Section Annual Meeting - 2011, Vancouver

I am glad to report that the 2011 PA Section meeting in Vancouver this past weekend was a resounding success. The educational session included many worthwhile topics including malignant melanoma and ovarian carcinoma and, from our own members, items related to post mortem artefacts and quality assurance topics. It was great to re-connect with people from across the country who I haven't seen in several years. Conspicuous in their absence were the PAs from Ottawa. This concerns me greatly and leaves me wondering whether the emphasis on funding educational opportunities for Technologists and PAs has changed (for the worse); I hope not. I was great to make the acquaintance of PAs from Alberta and of a few very enthusiastic PA-wannabes from Alberta.

Of course, the Hotel Vancouver was idyllic, as always. The venue for our educational session; for the AGM and especially for the lunch meeting for committee members were great. The Saturday evening venue for our dinner meeting was wonderful (they had TVs so we could watch the Canucks win game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The city erupted after the game and the atmosphere was infectious (in a good way!).

Much good discussion took place 'at the table' and the networking opportunities were terrific. Congratulations to Alan Wolff for winning the 2010-11 PA of the Year award -- the award couldn't have gone to a nicer guy!

I especially appreciated meeting up with some dear old acquaintances from grand-old TOH (The Ottawa Hospital) -- apart from witnessing the hockey fans going crazy, this was truly the highlight of the weekend.

I don't want to steal any of the thunder of the meeting's minutes (which I have to write up ASAP) but as a result of the regrettably small number of attendees at the AGM, proposed changes to the PA Section Bylaws could not be ratified. This is a real shame considering all of the hard work that has been done on behalf of Canadian PAs -- members and non-members alike -- by the various committees, especially, if I may add, by the hard-working Membership Committee. It was gratifying to continue the meaningful discussion at the working lunch meeting.

Thank-you one and all for all of your hard work during the year; for organizing the event; for looking after us and directing discussion; asking the right questions; giving meaningful insights into the direction that Canadian PAs are going.

I have to comment regarding the perceived apathy of some PAs: Canadian PAs ARE moving toward certification. We ARE creating an exam which you will have to write if you wish to be certified. I suggest that, rather than complain after the fact, that those who are not currently involved would become involved beforehand. The Chair of the Examination Committee has recently been vacated (thanks for all your efforts, Mayleen, and good luck in the future!) and this is a wonderful opportunity for someone who cares to make a difference in the future of Canadian PAs -- a difference that may stand for all time. You don't have to take such a big step; just join the CAP and step up to sit on a committee. If you have an opinion; if you have what might be a unique situation amongst PAs; if for any reason your opinion should be heard when formulating national policy PLEASE make your presence known.

Hopefully to aid in engagement, we are making it a priority to have a facility that has videoconferencing capability for next year's meeting (Calgary, July). If you can't go to Calgary and you want to be involved in discussions at the AGM (you ARE invited), please be proactive; seek out and book a room at your facility that has videoconferencing capability. You'll be able to participate in the meeting and those who are in [physical] attendance will be able to communicate with you real-time. Personally, I'm really enthusiastic about adding this facet to our annual meeting and sincerely hope that 1. it will provide the opportunity for more PAs to attend; 2. for more PAs to participate and 3. to show the way for the pathologists (who have yet to make videoconferencing a priority).

The perceived apathy may be multi-factorial; in part, the lack of communication to all PA members may be hampered by some technical snafu's that seem to arise out of set procedures of the CAP Secretariat more than anything else. I feel that a PA-specific website (or blog or social networking site -- as was suggested by another PA at the meeting) with a current and frequently updated membership list might go a long way towards enabling communication amongst all PAs in a timely fashion. As Alan has often stated, the CAP site is under-used. It already provides a [slightly clumsy] place to allow all PA Section members to communicate; chat or email -- it's there for us; it's free; I encourage everyone to use it.

The weather in Vancouver was fantastic; rivaling the Okanagan in fact! I wish the organizing committee for the PA meeting in Calgary all the best. It was certainly great to make your acquaintance and I look forward to seeing you next year.

Canada Post job action and laboratory reports

Despite the increasing use of electronic means to provide laboratory reports to clinicians, a significant number of reports are, regrettably, still sent to family doctors and others via Canada Post. I note with interest that Old Age Security pension cheques, considered essential (agreed), will continue to be delivered by Canada Post if/when a strike is called. I submit that laboratory reports (Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology, Anatomical Pathology) also should be considered essential and should also be delivered during the strike. The need for these reports, delivered in timely fashion to physicians, need not be stated (but I will!). The immediately and timely care plans for patients directly depend upon all lab reports being delivered to care givers. I suggest that ALL Canadian hospitals should appeal to the federal minister responsible for Canada Post -- sorry, I'm drawing a blank -- to ensure continued and timely delivery of laboratory reports to physicians and that this should be done immediately.

Canada Post Job Action and Laboratory Reports

Despite the increasing use of electronic means of reporting laboratory results, there remain a significant number of clinicians to whom reports are sent via ground mail using Canada Post. I note with interest that during the possible strike by CUPW, Old Age Security pension cheques, deemed 'essential' (agreed), will continue to be delivered by Canada Post (presumably by management personnel). I submit that the timely delivery of lab reports is at least as important as Old Age Security cheques insofar as the care of innumerable Canadian patients depends upon these results. I suggest that all Canadian laboratories, public and private, lobby the federal minister responsible for Canada Post to include lab results in the service which will continue uninterrupted in the event of a strike by CUPW.

boring?

I have (rightly) been asked whether things have been boring recently (since I've not posted since April...my, how time flies!). The answer is, "Not hardly!" Oh my goodness! It has been hectic to put it mildly. As is the case virtually everywhere, the volume of work continues to rise and everyone's working to their personal maximum (if not, I'd like to know about it!).

I still have a vacant position although I have interviewed a very promising candidate. I'm now awaiting confirmation that the position will be funded so that we can move forward and address the many staffing concerns that we have here (no doubt the same as everywhere else) that involve both the PAs and the Histology lab. I won't bore anyone with the details. Since regional coverage of PA duties hinges upon the funding of the position, I very much hope that the coin toss will go in our favour.

A new lab building for Kelowna (and possibly the region) is being planned and the ground-breaking occurred within the last couple of weeks. This is really exciting news. The building will have lots of space to expand the lab for years to come. We're having frequent all-day planning meetings and we have drilled down to the equipment phase of the process. Things are moving SO fast! One of the many good things that will grow out of this is that we'll once again be doing autopsies (rather than transferring them elsewhere). I'm very much looking forward to this (but feel that the other PAs may not share my optimism!).

The building in which the lab currently resides will be torn down very shortly after we vacate (June, 2012) and a new cardiac surgical building will be erected in its place. Given my experience with cardiac pathology, I also very much look forward to the arrival of cardiac surgery in our area (and the inevitable cardiac pathology autopsies...woo hoo!).

Telepathology has expanded in The Interior Health Authority; in December, we added a 5th scanner in Trail, BC (to the scanners in Vernon, Kelowna, Cranbrook and Penticton). Further, a live microscopy video conferencing set-up is being installed and will be active within the next week or so. Kelowna pathologists, thanks to scanned micro images, are able to present their findings with ease at clinical rounds on a regular basis. This is has been very well received by the clinicians. Weekly telepathology rounds continue and are appreciated by many of the region's pathologists. Our resident Dermatopathologist has signed out many cases remotely thanks to telepathology.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the 2011 bicycling season which will see me participate in two GranFondos (Okanagan and again, Whistler). I'm know that I will be able to improve on last year's Whistler time (look out Rick; here I come!). For training, I'm looking to joining a spinning class within the next month or so.

The CAP Executive Committee are working on formulating a final Core Competencies list and plan to liaise with the CAP AP Committee and the CAP Executive to ensure that we're all working on the same page. Other issues confronting the Section have to do with the certification exam, grand-parenting, a PA-specific application form, and other pressing stuff. The AGM Committee is working feverishly planning the Vancouver meeting for June of this year.