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.

PA job opportunity in BC

I just wanted to let everyone know that as of April 19th, there's a 0.8 FTE PA position currently posted at Kelowna General Hospital. The successful applicant will also have histology lab skills; ideally expertise at the immunohistochemistry bench (but the over-riding attribute is the ability to function in the gross room, preferably the ability to handle specimens of all complexities). To apply, please see www.interiorhealth.ca go to careers and then 'Room To Grow.'

Lloyd Kennedy

I was deeply saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Lloyd Kennedy after a valiant fight with stomach cancer. Lloyd was one of Canada's first PAs; working in Kingston since the 1970's. He was a member of the AAPA and of the CAP (the latter in the capacity of past-Chair of the Executive Committee of the PA Section). Many Canadian pathologists will remember fondly the instruction that they received from Lloyd during their Residencies in Kingston. I am proud to have been acquainted with Lloyd and benefited by his counsel. I want to extend my sincere sympathies to Lloyd's family and to anyone who knew Lloyd as a friend.

PA Section News

This week, all PA Section members of the CAP will be receiving the minutes of the annual general meeting of the Section from July. It was agreed at the previous AGM that any vote on important items required a minimum number of attendees at the meeting; that number was not attained at this year's meeting. Please read the minutes carefully and pay particular attention to the two appendices as they contain important information upon which you will be asked to vote within the very near future. We hope that using this method will enable a greater number of members to cast a vote.

CBC advertisements

Tell me that this isn't ironic! I'm in my car on the way home from work last Friday, listening to CBC Radio 2 Drive as usual, and on comes an ad. 'An ad?' you might say. 'Isn't that unusual? CBC doesn't have advertising.' Well, true. Our national broadcaster IS advertisement-free except when it comes to tooting their own horn (and taking up yet more time in their otherwise vacuous schedule -- I mean, really, have you listened lately? Have you ever heard -- and this goes for CBC TV too -- an organization that takes SO much bloody time telling you what they're about to do? What the heck is the point?!). But I digress; sorry about that. Back to the point that I was trying to make. I'm listening to this ad and what is that ad about? It's about the fact that CBC Radio 2 doesn't have ads (and is thus worth listening to)! It makes this statement at least 4 times during the ad! Do they ever even proof-listen this stuff?!
But that isn't the best part: the best part is that this ad is ONLY on CBC (for CBC). Has anyone out there heard this ad on any other staion? Nope! Shouldn't it be on OTHER radio stations (which btw everybody else is listening to -- EVEN WITH ads?!!). I know, I know, CBC (aka Canada) is TOO DAMN POOR to contemplate paying to have their ad run on other stations so instead they run it on their own. PULLLLEASE!